Klutch Athletics, the sportswear brand launched by Rich Paul and New Balance, has named former Nike executive Scott Munson as President and General Manager – a move signaling its ambition to scale and challenge industry heavyweights.
Klutch Athletics is stepping up its game. The brand co-founded by sports super-agent Rich Paul in partnership with New Balance has hired Scott Munson, a Nike veteran with nearly three decades of experience, as its new President and General Manager. Munson left Nike in September after 28 years, most recently serving as VP and GM for the men’s business in Asia-Pacific and Latin America. His résumé also includes leading Nike’s global basketball and football apparel divisions – experience that now positions him to drive Klutch’s next phase of growth. Munson called the move “a pivotal moment,” saying Klutch is redefining what it means to empower the next generation of athletes – “to create intentional product, meaningful community, and inspiring experiences.”
Why it matters
The hire underscores Klutch Athletics’ growing ambition to evolve from an athlete-founded upstart into a global performance brand. With New Balance providing production muscle and Munson bringing Nike-honed expertise, the brand is signalling it wants to play in the same league as the industry’s elite.
Zooming out
The move reflects a broader industry trend: sportswear startups anchored in athlete storytelling and authenticity, rather than just performance metrics. Paul – one of the most influential figures in US sports through his agency Klutch Sports – has positioned the brand as a bridge between athletic culture and lifestyle fashion, much like On, Lululemon, or Gymshark did in their early stages.
Stars and ambassadors
Since its launch in 2023, Klutch has built early traction with a lineup of ambassadors that includes NFL stars Will Anderson Jr. and Chase Young, alongside basketball NIL athletes Aaliyah Crump, Caleb Wilson, and Isiah Harwell. This summer, it debuted a campaign titled “The Best,” tracing Paul’s Akron roots and his long-standing connection with LeBron James.
