World championship 100-meter bronze medalist Trayvon Bromell has signed a multi-year endorsement contract with New Balance. The company announced the decision on Wednesday morning.
Bromell, a Baylor University junior, will forego the rest of his remaining NCAA eligibility to turn professional. He is represented by agent Ricky Simms of PACE Sports Management, which also represents short-sprints Olympic champion and world record holder Usain Bolt.
Bromell, 20, became the first U.S. high school athlete to break 10-seconds for the 100-meters before setting the world junior 100-meter record of 9.97 seconds.
With his 9.84-second performance at the U.S.A. Track and Field Championships in Eugene, netting him second place, Bromell became the first U.S. teenager to qualify for the IAAF World Championships in Beijing. In the 100-meter final, Bromell finished tied for third and bronze with Canada?s Andre De Grasse with his 9.92 result.
?I knew after Worlds and medaling, I knew that I could get a good contract, so my main thing was to figure things out with my family,? Bromell told SI.com. ?We felt that right now was the best decision. We weren?t big on taking chances for next year. In a moment like this, it?s a 50-50 chance if you decide to go back to school. You could get injured and your value would drop. We felt like the opportunity was in our face. It?s a great contract. Great company in New Balance and great opportunity going into the Olympic year.?
The move is an interesting venture for a company like New Balance, which has primarily focused on sponsoring elite female distance runners in recent years. New Balance also supports world championship medalists Jenny Simpson and Brenda Martinez as well as Olympic steeplechaser Emma Coburn.
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Trayvon Bromell: New Balance signs world championship medalist - More Sports - SI.com