New Balance promotes Tracy Knauer to SVP, North America. April 16, 2026 New Balance Athletics, Inc. has promoted Tracy Knauer, most recently VP of North America Marketing, E-commerce and Consumer Analytics, to senior vice president of North America. Knauer has been with New Balance for over 20 years, in roles spanning Marketing, Product, Sales, and DTC Operations. "Tracy is an experienced industry leader with a deep understanding of our business, our brand and our consumer," said Joe Preston, New Balance president and CEO. "She is a talented and team-focused executive who embraces our brand's core values and will drive continued momentum for our North American region." "I'm excited to take on this role that reflects my strong commitment to New Balance and our valued partners in the region," said Knauer. "We have an incredible North American team, and together we will continue to drive meaningful growth, innovation and opportunity for the brand and the business." Knauer joined New Balance in 2005 as the marketing manager for North America Activation, Wholesale, and Retail Marketing. Other roles have included senior director of North America Marketing, general manager of North America Digital Wholesale, and general manager of Global Accessories and Licensing. Knauer added on a LinkedIn post, "Over more than two decades at New Balance, I've had a front row seat to the evolution and growth of its brand - and to what this team is capable of achieving together. The region is full of talented, committed leaders and associates who are collectively driven to achieve a common goal and bring its values to life every day. What gives me the greatest confidence in this moment is the strength of its North American team. "New Balance is grounded in purpose and a brand with deep heritage, authenticity and momentum. That foundation, combined with the talent on the team, positions us exceptionally well to continue growing, scaling and strengthening our impact and connection with retailers and consumers across the region." In February, New Balance reported that its sales grew 19 percent in 2025 to $9.2 billion, marking the company's fifth consecutive year of double-digit growth. The North American region grew by more than 20 percent in 2025, while the European region grew by more than 30 percent. Both its global apparel business and owned retail surpassed $1 billion for the first time. Images courtesy New Balance

New Balance FSS and NJCAA announce Player Personnel, Development and Predictive Analytics partnership. March 30, 2026 HOUSTON, TX & CHARLOTTE, NC - New Balance Future Stars Series (FSS) and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) today announced a comprehensive player development partnership designed to enhance student-athlete access, elevate player value, and strengthen the junior college baseball and softball landscape nationwide. Under the agreement, Future Stars Series will serve as the Official Baseball and Softball Player Personnel, Development and Predictive Analytics Partner of the NJCAA, supporting all three NJCAA divisions (Division I, II, and III) across both baseball and softball. The partnership will introduce a unified platform focused on player evaluation, infrastructure, and data-driven development tools, while expanding student-athlete access to and from NJCAA institutions, connecting them to the broader collegiate and professional baseball ecosystem. "Future Stars Series is proud to align with the NJCAA on multiple initiatives that will elevate player visibility to new heights" said Jeremy Booth, CEO and President of Baseball Operations of Future Stars Series. "The NJCAA has a clear vision for the future of junior college baseball, and Future Stars Series is excited to help support and advance that vision. Its staff includes former junior college student athletes from across the country who understand the level and believe deeply in the impact these student athletes continue to have on NCAA Division I and professional levels. By building a stronger database and improving access to information, this partnership will expand opportunities for players, help families make informed decisions, and continue strengthening the game." Future Stars Series will also introduce enhanced database access and player modeling tools for NJCAA programs. These resources will allow coaches and administrators to better evaluate player value, institutional fit, and long-term development projections. The platform will further integrate with NCAA Division I programs and collegiate summer leagues, helping streamline student-athlete pathways during a period of significant change within the college baseball landscape. "The NJCAA is excited to begin this important partnership with Future Stars Series," said Dr. Christopher Parker, NJCAA President and CEO. "The opportunities for development this will bring to our baseball and softball student-athletes is outstanding, and we are glad to be working with FSS and their affiliates to bring this to fruition." The partnership will also include the development of co-branded events and national showcase opportunities. Plans include a sanctioned NJCAA All-Star Game and integration into College All-Star Week, where a Junior College Series will precede Division I events. Once formally sanctioned, junior college coaches will participate directly in these events. Additionally, the NJCAA will sanction Future Stars Series regional fall events and spring season launch events in both baseball and softball. Technology and data infrastructure will also play a central role in the partnership. Smart Park will serve as a scalable data capture solution across NJCAA championship events, debuting at all NJCAA Baseball and Softball Championships beginning in 2026. Through the on-site integration of MLB approved Smart Park technology, programs will have an open flow of access to FSS players, advanced performance modeling and expanded analytics that include metrics like Swing AI, blast motion capabilities and more. About New Balance Future Stars Series New Balance Future Stars Series is a global platform for amateur baseball development and scouting, powered by a commitment to impact, integrity, and player-focused innovation. Its alumni can be found throughout professional baseball, and its events and partnerships have reshaped how talent is identified, nurtured, and celebrated. Connect with New Balance Future Stars Series by visiting its website, www.futurestarsseries.com, by visiting its YouTube page, and by checking out the social media channels listed below. Facebook: New Balance Future Stars Series About NJCAA Since 1938, the NJCAA has served as the premier governing body for two-year collegiate athletics, providing student-athletes with opportunities to prepare, compete, succeed, and achieve in both their academic and athletic disciplines. The NJCAA is the second largest national intercollegiate athletic organization in the United States, with over 500 member schools and 3,400 teams competing in 30 different sports. Each year, the NJCAA sponsors 57 national championships and invitationals. For all media inquiries, reach out to Future Stars Series at [email protected] For FSS Baseball and Operational inquiries, reach out to Anthony Perry at [email protected] For NJCAA inquiries, reach out to Dr. Brett Monaghan at [email protected]

New Balance partners with HandsFree Labs on hands-free footwear. March 26, 2026 New Balance Athletics formed a licensing agreement with HandsFree Labs (HFL) to launch its own range of hands-free footwear. "New Balance has a long history of innovation and craftsmanship, making them an ideal brand to work with as we continue to scale hands-free footwear globally," said Gareth Hosford, CEO at HandsFree Labs and Kizik. "This represents another important milestone in bringing hands-free footwear to more consumers worldwide, and further validates both the accelerating market opportunity for hands-free footwear and the breakout consumer demand for HFL's patented technologies." The first New Balance products featuring HFL's hands-free technologies are expected to launch in Spring 2027.