Manhattan Beach: Skechers Taps NFL Raiders Coach Jon Gruden

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — Skechers is bringing yet another leader from the NFL into the footwear and apparel game. Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden will star in a national multi-platform men's marketing campaign for the global lifestyle and performance company launching later this year, the company announced in a news release.

“After twenty-one years of professional coaching, another nine broadcasting, and now being back on the field in Las Vegas, I’m constantly on the move so comfort is always key, and no one does comfort better than Skechers—knock on wood if you’re with me!” said Gruden. “I look forward to joining Tony Romo and Howie Long as part of this Skechers football family!”

“We’re always looking for fan favorites to represent our men’s collections and Jon Gruden, with his colorful personality, fits the bill,” noted Michael Greenberg, Skechers president. “From winning a Super Bowl in Tampa Bay to his weekly Gruden Grinder awards as a broadcaster, fans have been tuning into what Jon does and says for decades. We’re confident his signature leadership will fit seamlessly into our roster of sports celebrities and help convey the story of how our athletic and casual footwear and apparel delivers on style and comfort for men everywhere.”

Gruden first coached at the collegiate level and graduated to the pros in 1992 at age 28 when he was hired as special offensive assistant by the Green Bay Packers, later becoming their wide receiver coach. He then was with the Eagles as an offensive coordinator before becoming the head coach of the Oakland Raiders in 1998. Gruden joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002 and led the team to a Super Bowl win defeating his former Raiders. He left the Buccaneers to join ESPN as Monday Night Football color analyst in 2009 and continues to hold the Buccaneers’ career coaching wins record (57). After nearly a decade in the broadcast booth, Gruden returned to the now Las Vegas Raiders as head coach in 2018.

Gruden joins a team of Skechers athletes and sports icons, including ace Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, former quarterback and broadcaster Tony Romo, former defensive end and broadcaster Howie Long, as well as boxer Sugar Ray Leonard. Through the years, Skechers has utilized sports icons when advertising its men’s collection with an alumni list featuring names like Joe Montana, Pete Rose, Mariano Rivera, David Ortiz, Ozzie Smith, Joe Namath, Ronnie Lott, Karl Malone, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Rick Fox, Wayne Gretzky, and the late Tommy Lasorda.

The range of Skechers men’s footwear and apparel collections are available in Skechers retail stores as well as skechers.com, department stores and footwear retailers around the globe. The Skechers Flagship Store is located in Downtown Manhattan Beach.

Skechers USA Inc. is based in Manhattan Beach, where the international company is currently building additional office space. The company designs, develops and markets a diverse range of lifestyle and performance footwear, apparel and accessories for men, women and children.