19 Apr Skechers Signs Howie Long as Sponsor
Skechers USA Inc. has signed Howie Long, the Pro Football Hall of Famer and sports commentator known, to a multi-year spokesman relationship. Long will appear in a campaign that promotes the footwear brand’s comfortable and stylish men’s collections.
The celebrated commentator’s first television commercial for Skechers is set to launch in time for the 2016 football season. The spot will feature the new Skechers men’s collection and lead off a multi-tiered TV, print and digital campaign that is expected to continue across all media through 2018.
“I’m excited to be joining the Skechers team and following in the footsteps of so many amazing athletes and stars who have appeared on their roster,” said Howie Long. “From the field to the studio, I’ve spent a lifetime of Sundays on my feet, so it feels great to add some Skechers comfort to my wardrobe.”
“Beginning with his career in Oakland and Los Angeles to more than two decades appearing every Sunday on television during football season, Howie is a trusted and familiar face to millions of football fans,” said Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers. “Just like legends Joe Montana and Sugar Ray Leonard, we know that Howie is an ideal person to join our team and continue spreading the word about our incredibly popular footwear to the millions of men who love our comfort-focused collections.”
Drafted out of Villanova in 1981, Howie Long’s pro football career spanned 12 seasons as defensive end with the Raiders. He has a Super Bowl win, was an 8-time Pro Bowl team member and was named to the 1980’s NFL All-Decade team. In 2000 he was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame. After retiring in 1993, Long appeared in several movies and found a home quickly in broadcasting where he’s been a studio analyst on the FOX NFL Sunday team since the network debut in 1994. Howie is a longtime supporter of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America where he continues to volunteer. He was also named Walter Camp Man of the Year in 2001 by the Walter Camp Foundation.
Previous Skechers men’s campaigns have featured iconic drummer Ringo Starr and sports stars Sugar Ray Leonard, Joe Montana, Joe Namath, Ronnie Lott, Mariano Rivera, Tommy Lasorda, Mark Cuban, Karl Malone, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Rick Fox, Wayne Gretzky and Meb Keflezighi. Baseball great Ozzie Smith also recently appeared in a Skechers Relaxed Fit footwear campaign that launched on MLB opening day.
Leveraging fashionable designs and a unique Skechers Air-Cooled Memory Foam footbed for long-lasting comfort, styles from the Skechers men’s collection are available in Skechers retail stores as well as department stores and footwear retailers around the globe.