News Summary
Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning has invested in XTech, a company known for high-quality sports protective equipment, particularly shoulder pads. His investment aims to improve safety for youth athletes, drawing on the equipment used by NFL players. With XTech’s custom-fitted shoulder pads gaining popularity among professional athletes, Manning’s backing is set to bridge the gap between professional and youth sports safety. The company plans to expand its offerings to the youth sports market, addressing parents’ concerns regarding athlete safety and performance.
New York City – Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning has announced his investment in XTech, a manufacturer of sports protective equipment, particularly known for its high-quality shoulder pads designed for athletes. Manning’s investment, disclosed on Thursday, places him among the top five investors in XTech, although specifics regarding the size of his stake remain undisclosed.
Manning seeks to enhance safety for youth athletes by providing them with access to top-tier equipment, similar to what professional NFL players utilize. Following his retirement from football in 2020, Manning has been active in various investment ventures, particularly through his private equity firm, Brand Velocity Group. In addition to XTech, he holds minority stakes in Gotham FC, a team in the National Women’s Soccer League, and TGL’s New York Golf Club.
XTech currently enjoys substantial traction within the college and professional football segments, with nearly 90% of NFL players opting for the company’s custom-fitted shoulder pads during their games. Priced at approximately $599 each, these high-quality shoulder pads represent a significant investment in safety for athletes.
Founded in 2012, XTech has a unique connection to the New York Giants, with its founder, Bob Broderick, starting his career as an equipment assistant for the team. The company’s emphasis on developing shoulder pads stems from a growing awareness around concussion issues, which have prioritized helmet safety in recent years, leaving shoulder pads relatively overlooked.
To address these concerns, XTech has collaborated with notable equipment designer Ted Monica to develop shoulder pads that emphasize both safety and user comfort. The lightweight and flexible design allows players to maintain freedom of movement, making the pads particularly suited to activities like throwing. Each NFL team selects the shoulder pads for their roster, with the costs typically covered by the teams.
XTech operates with a lean team of five sales professionals who fit an impressive 40,000 athletes across the United States each year. Remarkably, the company boasts a manufacturing operation based in East Hanover, New Jersey, allowing it to deliver a product that is 100% American-made. The company prides itself on its quick turnaround times, processing and shipping online orders within just one day, while competitors like Douglas and Riddell may take up to eight weeks to fulfill orders.
Since its inception, XTech has sold around 100,000 shoulder pad units and has developed a solid reputation within the athletic community. Its products are available for purchase through its website and Amazon but are not found in large retail stores.
Looking ahead, XTech plans to expand into the youth sports market, anticipating the launch of a new youth-specific line in the upcoming year. This product offering is designed for young athletes weighing between 30-150 pounds and will be priced around $200, significantly more accessible for parents and guardians seeking quality protective equipment. The company currently partners with approximately 500 high schools; however, there are over 15,000 high schools across the U.S. that participate in football, highlighting a substantial opportunity for growth.
Manning reflects on the evolution of youth sports, noting the differences between his high school experience and today’s landscape, where parents are more involved and focused on safety and performance for their children. This shift underscores the importance of having access to quality equipment, setting a foundation for the future of youth athletic safety and development.
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Additional Resources
- NBC Los Angeles
- Wikipedia: Eli Manning
- Athlon Sports
- Google Search: XTech shoulder pads
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sport
- NBC Los Angeles Sports
