Rawlings® Renews as Official Baseball of NCAA Championships

Baseball's category leader provides advanced product technology to collegiate athletes

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Aug 24, 2016, 01:24 ET

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 24, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. a subsidiary of Newell Brands (NYSE: NWL), today announced its renewal of its exclusive status with the NCAA® as the Official Baseball of NCAA championships effective for the 2017 through 2021 seasons.

In addition to the baseball being used on-field during NCAA championship play, the five-year agreement grants exclusive rights to Rawlings to promote, market and sell the NCAA championship baseball through its retail channels.

"To maintain our level of on-field authenticity as a brand, we must continue to partner with premier organizations such as the NCAA that share our vision of excelling in the game at the collegiate level," said Mike Thompson, executive vice-president of marketing at Rawlings. "We've spent several years building a strategic alliance with the NCAA and believe that doing so further establishes our dedication to providing student-athletes with quality baseball products."

"We're proud to continue our longstanding relationship with Rawlings and consider them to be a leading company and brand in the sports industry," said Keith Martin, managing director of championships and alliances for the NCAA. "Providing student-athletes with top quality products contributes to their well-being and enhances their overall collegiate experience when they reach the championships, which is the pinnacle of their years of hard work."

As the long-standing official baseball of both the NCAA and Major League Baseball®, Rawlings is an established leader in baseball manufacturing and continually offers product improvements and enhancements.

About Rawlings
Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. is an innovative manufacturer and marketer of sporting goods worldwide. Founded in 1887, Rawlings is an authentic global sports brand, trusted by generations of athletes of all skill levels. Rawlings' unparalleled quality, innovative engineering and expert craftsmanship are the fundamental reasons why more professional athletes, national governing bodies and sports leagues choose Rawlings. Rawlings is the Official Ball Supplier and Batting Helmet of Major League Baseball®, the official baseball of Minor League Baseball™ and the NCAA®, and the approved baseball, basketball, football and softball of the National High School Federation®. For more information, please visit Rawlings.com or by phone at (314) 819-2800.

About Newell Brands
Newell Brands (NYSE: NWL) is a leading global consumer goods company with a strong portfolio of well-known brands, including Paper Mate®, Sharpie®, Dymo®, EXPO®, Parker®, Elmer's®, Coleman®, Jostens®, Marmot®, Rawlings®, Irwin®, Lenox®, Oster®, Sunbeam®, FoodSaver®, Mr. Coffee®, Rubbermaid Commercial Products®, Graco®, Baby Jogger®, NUK®, Calphalon®, Rubbermaid®, Contigo®, First Alert®, Waddington and Yankee Candle®. Driven by a sharp focus on the consumer, leading investment in innovation and brands, and a performance-driven culture, Newell Brands helps consumers achieve more where they live, learn, work and play.

About the NCAA
The NCAA is a diverse association of more than 1,100 member colleges and universities that prioritize academics, well-being and fairness to create greater opportunities for nearly half a million student-athletes each year. The NCAA provides a pathway to higher education and beyond for student-athletes pursuing academic goals and competing in NCAA sports. More than 54,000 student-athletes experience the pinnacle of intercollegiate athletics by competing in NCAA championships each year. Visit ncaa.org and ncaa.com for more details about the Association and the corporate partnerships that support the NCAA and its student-athletes.

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