Lingerie Football League and Rawlings Sporting Goods sign multi-year deal | Seattle Mist update

Rawlings Sporting Goods and the women's Lingerie Football League signed a multi-year contract Tuesday that includes Rawlings supplying the official game ball as well as shoulder pads.

The Seattle Mist of the LFL play at the ShoWare Center in Kent.

Rawlings also will receive name placement across the LFL games on MTV2, on-field signage, online promotion, endorsement and in-game product placement, according to a LFL media release.

"We at the league have taken on a strategic approach toward highlighting the athletic focus of the LFL and as a result bettering our product on the field," said Mitchell Mortaza, founder and chairman of Las Vegas-based Lingerie Football League, LLC. "Our partnership with Rawlings an iconic sports brand, only further cements the fact that the perception of our game is changing."

The Rawlings custom designed LFL game ball will debut at the league opener Aug. 26 when the Minnesota Valkyrie play at the Green Bay Chill. The game will be on MTV2 at 7 p.m.

“The LFL is a dynamic league which is committed to football," said Mark Kraemer, Rawlings sports marketing and licensing manager. "We at Rawlings recognize the athletic prowess of the athletes and we want to provide them with the highest level of equipment."

The league is entering its third year and is an extension of the "Lingerie Bowl" that premiered as a televised halftime alternative during the 2004 Super Bowl. Seattle is an original league member.

The 12-team league features scantily clad women playing seven-on-seven tackle football on a 50-yard field. They play 17-minute halves. Each offense features a quarterback, center, two running backs and three receivers.

The players wear helmets with clear face shields, shoulder pads, sports bras, panties, elbow and knee pads.

Seattle opens the season Sept. 30 at the Green Bay Chill. The Mist plays home games Nov. 4 against the Las Vegas Sin and Jan. 6 against the Minnesota Valkyrie at the ShoWare Center in Kent. They also play Dec. 16 at the Los Angeles Temptation.

Contact Kent Reporter Courts, government reporter Steve Hunter at shunter@kentreporter.com or 253-872-6600, ext. 5052.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.