BALTIMORE, MARYLAND (October 17, 2023) – Ripken Baseball® announced it has entered a multi-year partnership with Under Armour® to be the exclusive apparel company for Ripken Baseball’s six properties, hundreds of tournaments and multisport events. As a nationwide deal, Under Armour will have a presence throughout Ripken Baseball, including the naming rights for The Ripken Experience® Aberdeen in Maryland and the presenting sponsor of All-Ripken Games. Under Armour will also provide the official uniform for over 9,000 12U baseball players who travel to Cooperstown All Star Village in New York every summer. The partnership takes effect Jan. 1, 2024.
“I’ve seen firsthand the incredible rise of Under Armour from a small start-up in Baltimore in the ’90s to an international powerhouse that has aligned with many of the greatest athletes and brands in all of sports,” said Cal Ripken, Jr., Co-Founder of Ripken Baseball. “I’m looking forward to seeing all the great things we will accomplish together as Ripken Baseball expands our operation to other sports.”
“As we continue to engage the next generation of athletes, we are excited to partner with Ripken Baseball. It is an honor to inspire and outfit these young players on their journey to compete at Ripken facilities, events and tournaments,” said Stephanie Linnartz, President and CEO of Under Armour.
The partnership also confirms Under Armour as Ripken Baseball’s official retail brand partner at The Ripken Experience® Aberdeen Powered by Under Armour, The Ripken Experience® Myrtle Beach (South Carolina), The Ripken Experience® Pigeon Forge (Tennessee), The Ripken Experience® Elizabethtown (Kentucky), Sports Force Parks™ at Cedar Point Sports Center (Ohio), Cooperstown All Star Village, and off-site events.
In 2023, Ripken Baseball’s six facilities combined to host over 12,000 teams, 250,000 participants, and 900,000 visitors. The facilities in New York, Ohio, and Kentucky, were new to the Ripken Baseball family this year. Ripken Baseball also debuted the All-Ripken Games in 2023, which allowed individual players to compete with others from around the country, build new relationships, and develop their skills in a Big League environment. All-Ripken Games sold out nationwide and will be part of the 2024 schedule with Under Armour as the presenting sponsor.
“Today’s announcement aligns two incredible brands that are known for their homegrown roots in the State of Maryland,” said Michael Kenney, CEO of Ripken Baseball. “As we continue to grow Ripken Baseball into new markets and host youth sports beyond the diamond, now is the ideal time to partner with Under Armour, which has an outstanding brand affinity with athletes across all sports.”