Tigers’ Carpenter Heel Injury Highlights Shift in Footwear Partnerships

Detroit Tigers right fielder Kerry Carpenter is currently managing a bruised left heel, an ailment the organization believes stems from a recent change in athletic footwear. The slugger disclosed that the injury arose after he switched from Under Armour cleats to a pair manufactured by New Balance.

Carpenter, who had worn Under Armour models for the past seven years, was forced to make a change after his preferred model was discontinued. He noted that the new cleats possessed a molded spike in the center of the heel that caused discomfort, particularly when decelerating. The situation became public when he was removed for a pinch-runner during a recent extra-innings victory due to the pain hindering his mobility.

To address the issue, the team’s equipment staff physically removed the problematic plastic stud from the cleat prior to Wednesday’s game. Carpenter remains hopeful that he can locate his older inventory of Under Armour footwear to use for the remainder of the season.

The incident brings attention to the equipment side of professional sports, specifically the reliance players place on specific product lines. Under Armour, a major player in the performance apparel and footwear market, currently holds a market capitalization of approximately $3.09 billion. The company’s stock was trading up 1.54% on the day, with a share price of $7.26. As a publicly traded entity in the consumer cyclical sector, Under Armour designs and distributes footwear specifically for athletic performance, a category directly impacted by the product availability issues described by Carpenter.

While Carpenter searches for his old cleats, he is also attempting to overcome a slump at the plate. He entered Wednesday’s game hitless in his last 26 at-bats, though he maintains the physical discomfort has not affected his swing mechanics.

What to watch

• Updates on whether Carpenter successfully locates his older Under Armour cleats or if the modified New Balance pair alleviates the heel pain.
• Carpenter’s performance at the plate following the equipment adjustments.
• Future Under Armour financial reports regarding product lifecycle management and footwear availability.

Source: original release