Asics is discontinuing its baseball equipment business. The Japanese company will cease sales of gloves bats, but continue selling cleats, a company spokesperson said. The decision was made following a review of Asics’ domestic business portfolio. The spokesperson added that the company’s resource allocation for baseball equipment had been “limited” compared to other sports.
Asics currently has sponsorship agreements with 11 baseball players, including San Diego Padres pitcher Yu Darvish and Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki. The sponsorship agreement with Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani ran until 2022. Ohtani was under contract with the company since 2014, assisting in developing products and featuring prominently in advertisements until he signed with New Balance.
Apparel and equipment, including baseball gear, has been Asics’ most challenging segment, with a profit margin of just 2.8 percent last year. The company has seen a steady increase in profits since 2021, driven by the growing popularity of its running shoes. Last month, the company revised its operating profit outlook for this year to a record ¥95 billion (€590 million) due to strong demand for models like the Gel-Kayano 14 and a weaker yen.
