SAN DIEGO (October 4, 2007)—Pony International is getting back in the game—of basketball. Today, the company announced that it has signed an endorsement agreement with Wilson Chandler, the New York Knicks’ 2007 first-round draft pick, for the re-launch of its performance basketball line for the fall ’07 season.

Wilson Chandler

“Wilson will be an excellent complement to the legacy of athletes that have endorsed Pony over the years,” Kevin Wulff, Pony president and CEO said. “He is an incredible talent with a knack for exciting fans with his dynamic athletic ability.”

Chandler seems eager to don his first pairs of Ponys. “I couldn’t be more excited to wear Ponys on and off the court in New York,” he said. “Pony is a classic brand and I am honored to be wearing the Chevron.”

This isn’t the first time Pony has been involved in professional sports. The brand, founded in 1972, was worn by prominent athletes such as basketball stars Spud Webb and David Thompson, soccer player Pelé, boxers Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, quarterback Dan Marino, baseball player Reggie Jackson and tennis player Tracy Austin.

Chandler was the New York Knicks' first-round draft pick this year.

“Wilson will be featured in a national advertising campaign that launches in October,” said Benjamin Woo, Pony’s vice president of marketing. “The campaign will run in magazines such as Sports Illustrated, ESPN, SLAM, STACK, Complex and many others.”

Today’s announcement is a major step forward for Pony. After numerous ownership changes within the past year, the brand’s re-launch is in full swing. In June, Wulff told WSAToday, “Pony has a tremendous brand heritage. Now, we’re taking it back to where it was on the performance side.”

The re-launch of Pony’s basketball line will include three key styles—the City Wings ’08, the Starter Mid ’08 and the Quix—modern performance athletic shoes that maintain their old-school attitude.

Pony hopes the considerable buzz surrounding Chandler will boost its visibility. “Many experts consider Chandler to be the steal of the 2007 draft,” Pony public relations and sports marketing director Colin Brickley said. “An extremely promising hybrid-forward standing at 6’8”, he is a powerhouse with rare athleticism.” Chandler’s agent, Chris Grier Luchey of GCL Sports, added, “He is definitely the perfect caliber of player to create excitement around a legendary brand like Pony.”

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