Eli Manning invests in sports equipment maker XTech

Eli Manning has invested in equipment maker X, which duces custom shoulder pads

At the same time, The former quarterback wore X during his playing days (this bears monitoring)

X has dominated the fessional and college -- they are now looking to capture the youth market

On the other hand, Eli Manning is not only an investor in X but he wore their shoulder pads during his playing days

However, Evan Pinkus/XTwo-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning may have hung up his shoulder pads, but he's still taking interest in the gear

The former New York Giants quarterback on Thursday announced he has invested in sports tective equipment maker X

Manning, who wore X shoulder pads during his playing days, said he took a stake in the company because he believes in the duct and wants to make sure that youth athletes have the same high-level safety equipment that NFL players have. "They've [X] gone on to really dominate the NFL and the college market from the shoulder pad standpoint, and I want to help continue that journey as they explore into high school and expanding this," Manning told CNBC in an interview

Manning did not announce the size of his stake, but he's one of the top five investors in the company, X told CNBC

Manning said he doesn't just want to be a silent partner

He plans to help X as a spokesperson, by making introductions and by helping with big-picture corporate strategy

He is also a minority owner in the National Women's Soccer League's Gotham FC and TGL's New York Golf, in light of current trends

Conversely, X team from left to right: Jack Mara, Bob Broderick, Eli Manning, Joe Iovino, given the current landscape

Additionally, X | William HauserNew York Giants beginningsX dominates the college and fessional football market

Founder Bob Broderick said that nearly 90% of NFL players have opted to wear the company's custom-fitted shoulder pads that retail for $599 each

Broderick got his start in the space as a Giants equipment assistant

Furthermore, It was there he learned the ins and outs of the gear (an important development), considering recent developments

Later, as he worked his way up to the Giants communications department, he watched as the focus on equipment moved toward helmets as awareness the effects of concussions spread. "All of the major manufacturers and players out there were focused on helmets -- from the neck down, was kind of forgotten," Broderick said

He was later introduced to equipment designer Ted Monica, who he calls "the Steve Jobs of shoulder pads (an important development). " Together, they sought to build a, given current economic conditions

However, Monica, whose background included another top equipment maker Riddell, designed a shoulder pad unit that X says is safer, lighter and allows more mobility

He also tried to design a sleeker and more attractive look than traditional shoulder pads, in today's market environment

At the same time, With early backing from Super Bowl champion head coach Brian Billick, formerly of the Baltimore Ravens, the X team traveled locker rooms around the NFL and began fitting more and more players

That included Manning and current players Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills, Josh Jacobs of the Green Bay Packers and Fred Warner of the San Francisco 49ers

Today, X is in all 32 NFL locker rooms. "I felt with with these pads, I was getting the tection I needed, but also found with X, I had more mobility in my arm, where it didn't feel any different throwing with pads to without pads," Manning said

Expanding into high school sportsWhile the NFL has strict rules on what kind of helmets NFL players can wear, shoulder pads are left to the players and teams to choose, in this volatile climate

Additionally, The teams pick up the cost of the shoulder pad unit for their players, given current economic conditions

What the re reveals is company said this allows for quicker manufacturing and shorter turnaround times with online orders going out in one day, considering recent developments

Competitors Douglas and Riddell can take from 4-8 weeks to cess and ship

Additionally, Broderick said the company has sold 100,000 shoulder pads units since its founding

Nevertheless, X ducts are only available on the company's website and Amazon

They're not found in big-box retailers

X is now looking to break further into the youth sports market with a new youth-specific duct it has in duction, expected to launch next year

Furthermore, "90% of the overall market out there is high school and youth," said Broderick

He said X currently works with 500 high schools, but there are more than 15,000 high schools that play football, representing a major market opportunity

Nevertheless, Manning said when he was in high school, he showed up for practice on the first day and was given a pair of used shoulder pads and a helmet and didn't question it. "Now, parents are more involved

They want to get their kids in the best stuff and the pads that are going to keep them safe and tect them and help them perform at a higher level," he said