This local HS runner is representing New Balance from head to toe after signing NIL deal

NORTHBRIDGE — Marcus Reilly never could’ve imagined this.

From winning his first-ever race at New Balance Nationals in 2019, to signing a name, image and likeness (NIL) deal with New Balance in January, the 18-year-old from Northbridge didn't think this would become his reality when he started running just five years ago.

It’s been a crazy loop around the track for Reilly. With hopefully many more to come.

“It’s cool because it’s the start of my journey, and then it’s also like I’m ending my high school journey with New Balance,” he said. “So it’s been pretty cool, it’s full circle.”

Running around the world

Growing up, Reilly played basketball and soccer before giving running a try in middle school.

With both his parents’ avid runners who competed at Providence College, the kid from Northbridge instantly became a natural on the track. After winning his first race at The Armory in New York City as a seventh grader, Reilly went on to set state and world records for his age group in the mile, 800-, 1,000- and 1,500-meter events.

This fall, the three-time T&G Super Team selection capped off his scholastic cross-country career by finishing seventh in a personal-best time of 15 minutes, 36 seconds at the USTAF New England Youth Invitational. Reilly finished first at both the Frank Mooney Coaches Invitational and the Southern Worcester County League championships. He then took second at the Division 3B state qualifying meet and third at the Division 3 state championships to give him six career top-three finishes in the two state meets.

“He’s just a tenacious athlete,” said his coach and father, Paul. “He loves competition.”

Reilly’s running has taken him from New England to Canada to Oregon and Puerto Rico. This past summer, he represented Team USA in the Pan-Am Championships. And in a few months, Reilly will travel to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to kick off his collegiate career running at the University of Michigan.

“To see him when he was a kid starting out running to now committing to a program like Michigan has been a wonderful journey for all of us,” Reilly’s father said. “We never expected him to get to the level he has achieved.”

A budding partnership with New Balance

After spending a few months talking with New Balance last year, Reilly revealed in a Jan. 19 post on Instagram that he signed a NIL agreement with the sports footwear and apparel manufacturer based out of Boston.

So what exactly is a NIL deal for high school athletes?

According to the MIAA, a student-athlete may profit off the use of their own name, image and likeness, and be represented by an attorney or sports agent. Such permissible activities include commercial endorsements, promotional activities, social media presence, product or service advertisements and nonfungible tokens.

Reilly is one of handful of high school runners across the country to ink NIL deals with New Balance.

“I get tons of gear and stuff, and whenever I’m at my house and see a shipment from New Balance, it’s a great day,” Reilly said.

On Thursday, Reilly ran seven miles at the Blackstone River Greenway bike path in Uxbridge.

A Northbridge High senior, who is running unattached from his high school this spring, Reilly considered his seven-mile jaunt an “easy run” of sorts. He’s hoping to break the 4-minute mark in the mile soon. His best is 4:05.48, at The Armory in March.

“I just want to try to be better and run faster,” said Reilly, who won a 1,500-meter race against college runners at Holy Cross last weekend and hopes to compete with other high school runners at New Balance Nationals in June.

Draped in New Balance gear from head to toe, Reilly rocked white shoes and socks, black shorts, a blue shirt, and a white hat for his relaxing run Thursday. He’s enjoyed becoming a brand ambassador for New Balance over the past few months.

“I’m a walking advertisement,” Reilly said,

And a running one, too.

It’s been a great partnership so far between New Balance and the runner from Northbridge.

“They’re giving me a lot of gear, and I’m wearing their brand and showing my support for them, and they’re showing their support for me,” Reilly said. “It’s been a really fun journey, and I really love wearing New Balance.”

In November, Reilly signed his National Letter of Intent to run cross country and track and field at the University of Michigan. Two months later, he inked a name, image and likeness deal with New Balance.

From NLI to NIL, it’s no big deal for Reilly.

Still, life has come full circle for Marcus Reilly on the track over the past five years.

“I never thought it would actually become a reality,” Reilly said. “There weren’t even NIL deals back (when I started running), so I never could’ve predicted this would happen. But it’s been really fun.”

—Contact Tommy Cassell at tcassell@telegram.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @tommycassell44. 

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Northbridge High runner Marcus Reilly inks NIL deal with New Balance