India’s First Professional American Football League Gets a Lucrative Corporate Sponsor

The Elite Football League of India (EFLI), the first sanctioned American Football competition in the country, have announced today that Schutt Sports, the world’s leading maker of football helmets and faceguards, has become the first million dollar corporate sponsor of the EFLI, committing 2,000 helmets, 2,300 face guards, 2,000 shoulders pads and additional accessories and equipment to the league.

Robert Erb, Schutt Sports president and CEO, said: “We’re obviously excited about putting the game’s best helmets and equipment on the EFLI players, but beyond that, we’re in complete agreement with EFLI’s vision for the role of football in the country and throughout the region. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance for a brand to get into a market with over a billion people and also has the opportunity to be a game-changing influence in the lives of young athletes. We’re tremendously excited about this partnership and the future of American Football in India and the region.”

Schutt has committed approximately $1 million worth of equipment to the EFLI, including 2,000 premium football helmets, 2,300 carbon steel face guards, 2,000 O2 Flex premium shoulder pads and an additional fiscal commitment per team for accessory equipment has been allotted.

“We share the same passion, intensity and devotion to the game as the player. Players know what they want, they know why they want it and they know they’ll succeed when they get it. For nearly a century, we’ve made their gear – all with the sole purpose of empowering players to focus and perform at the top of their game,” concluded Mr. Erb.

Sunday Zeller, EFLI founder and co-CEO, added: “The EFLI thanks Schutt for their confidence and support. We look to the future in partnership, united in peaceful creation. This sponsorship opportunity in the sports equipment sector was highly competitive.

“The invitation extended to Schutt and the decision to accept was based on their commitment to safety and true concern for the athletes; their well-being and growth in the sport of football. The EFLI will continue to remain selective with regard to corporate sponsorship. I will personally review and select each and every sponsor with equally thoughtful consideration,”

Schutt Sports is the world’s leading maker of football helmets and faceguards with a 55% helmet market share at all levels (youth, HS, college & pro) and 75% market share in faceguards (youth, HS, college, & pro).

The Elite Football League of India (EFLI) is India’s first professional American-style football league, recognized by the Government of India and the Sports Authority of India. Formed in August, 2011, the league is introducing American-style football to the Indian market and its large consumer base with city-based teams of Indian players and coaches trained by professional American football coaching talent including Ron Jaworski, Mike Ditka, Michael Irvin and Brandon Chillar.. The inaugural season of the EFLI will be played from November 2012 through February 2013.The first season of EFLI will be held at a custom-built stadium in Pune between eight teams from Mumbai, Goa, Bhubaneswar, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Punjab and the host, Pune.