Olympics Archives - Boardroom

Kelly Clarkson, Peyton Manning, Mike Tirico to Host Olympics Opening Ceremony

Bernadette Doykos — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 13:00:00 +0000

Kelly Clarkson, Peyton Manning, Mike Tirico to Host Olympics Opening Ceremony

The countdown to the Olympics Opening Ceremony is on. Ahead of the July 26 event in Paris, Kelly Clarkson and Peyton Manning joined NBC Sports’ Mike Tirico on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon to confirm that they will host the introductory installment of NBC‘s Olympics coverage. The announcement is part of an ongoing series of reveals by NBCUniversal. Additionally, Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb will take to the banks of the Seine for their daily Today Show responsibilities.

Under Armour Brings Back Founder Kevin Plank as CEO

Kevin Plank is returning to Under Armour as CEO, the company announced on Wednesday. Stephanie Linnartz, who held the position since February 2023, is stepping down but will remain with the company through April. Plank previously served as CEO after founding the company in 1996 but stepped down four years ago. He’s remained on board this entire time as the company’s chairman. With the move, Plank will be forfeiting his chair position to Mohamed El-Erian.

David Beckham Links up with Stella Artois

David Beckham has a new partnership to add to his lengthy portfolio. The former footballer and current Inter Miami CF exec is linking up with Stella Artois for the beer brand’s newest campaign. Beckham fronted a new ad for the Anheuser-Busch brand, in which bar patrons are more smitten with the beverage than Beckham himself, leaving him humbled and a bit confused. Market analysts point to the partnership as part of a broader play on behalf of A-B to rebrand after a difficult couple of years. An executive for Anheuser-Busch lauded the partnership, deeming Beckham as the “epitome of premium values,” in an interview with CNN.

Allen Iverson, Pepsi Team Up for March Madness Bracket Challenge

It was nearly 30 years ago that Allen Iverson got his first taste of March Madness when he led the Georgetown Hoyas to the Sweet 16, followed by a run to the Elite Eight in his final collegiate season. And now, he’s ready to help you with your upcoming bracket — well, sort of. Ahead of this year’s men’s tournament, Iverson has partnered with Pepsi for the second straight year on the “Zero Right Bracket Challenge.” Starting Thursday, fans can visit the Pepsi social media channels for links to sign up for the promotion run on DraftKings, paying $100,000 to anyone who picks every game wrong. Brackets must be submitted by March 21.

Roger Federer Launches Eyewear Line with Oliver Peoples

Roger Federer is tennis’ $1 billion man. Now, the retired superstar has a new venture in his ever-growing portfolio. Federer teamed up with eyewear brand Oliver Peoples to launch their first collaborative line. After debuting the model on the Oscars red carpet, the new collab kicked off with a star-studded event in Los Angeles, which featured Maria Sharapova, Jay Ellis, Trevor Noah, and many more. Oliver Peoples unveiled the planned line at the Met Gala in May 2023, where Federer was a co-host. The collection is available for purchase in stores and online.

Megan Thee Stallion Announces ‘Hot Girl Summer’ Tour

Megan Thee Stallion is hitting the road. The Houston rapper announced her upcoming “Hot Girl Summer” tour, which is set to kick off in May. While she hasn’t revealed the official route of the tour, it will include stops in New York City, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Chicago, Dallas, and more. Official dates will be revealed on March 20. The news comes on the heels of Meg’s new line with Nike and ahead of what many believe will be a new album, her first with Warner Music Group since leaving 1501 Ent. and 300.

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Nick DePaula’s 10 Sneaker Headlines to Look Forward to in 2024

Nick DePaula — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 19:30:00 +0000

Big things are in store in the sneakers space in the new year. Boardroom’s Nick DePaula breaks down what to expect and what fans should be excited about in 2024.

As we move forward into 2024, a lineup of leading stars is already on the rise and brands from around the world are pacing toward finding even more momentum across the sneakers marketplace. With the Paris Olympics this summer, the global event will likely act as a key pillar of the calendar for brands to unleash their newest innovations on the world’s greatest athletes.

This week, let’s lock in on the biggest stories I’m looking forward to for the year ahead.

The Kobe Year

To close 2023, we saw Nike take a notable step toward revamping its efforts to promote the Kobe Bryant series. A campaign lapping into January launched in key markets like New York and LA, featuring some of Bryant’s most famous mentality moments throughout his 20-year playing career, touting “That’s Mamba.”

To date, we’ve seen both Vanessa Bryant and Nike lean in often on key dates. There’s an annual “Mambacita” launch on Gigi’s birthday in May, along with an all-white “Halo” launch on 8/24, representing both of Kobe’s jersey numbers and the day after his birthday.

I’d anticipate Nike to finally meet what’s been a relentless demand for Bryant’s sneakers during “Kobe Year” in ’24. Retailers anticipate a higher volume of products and more frequent launches after fans have largely been frustrated by a lack of availability in the last year.

The visibility of the “Kobe Brand” is also set to ramp up throughout 2024. There are six NCAA schools in place as “Mamba Colleges” to help highlight pairs on both the men’s and women’s teams, new drops in store for the Kobe 4 Protro, Kobe 8 Protro, and Kobe 9 Protro all year long, and a new accelerated effort around releasing even more Bryant-branded apparel. As part of Nike’s internal re-org to begin 2024, a team of designers has been assigned to work on the Kobe category of products.

With the new contract between the Kobe Bryant Estate and Nike landing in March 2022, the standard corporate 14-18 month product planning calendar is now taking shape as we begin 2024.

(Keith Gillett / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

More Women’s Sigs & Collections

As TV ratings, social media metrics, and in-person attendance numbers continue to elevate across women’s sports, I’m also expecting to see even more products associated with women leading the way in hoops to come to market.

Sabrina Ionescu will launch her second Nike signature shoe during the summer of 2024, with Liberty teammate Breanna Stewart set to launch her third Stewie signature shoe with Puma during the same window. Angel Reese’s first collection with Reebok will debut toward the end of the year during the Fall season.

The next three players that I see making their mark in the sneaker game are Las Vegas Aces two-time champ A’ja Wilson, NCAA star Caitlin Clark, and USC freshman Juju Watkins. Each is already signed to Nike.

Wilson is overdue for her own signature shoe. I’d like to see Nike, at the least, create PE colorways of the GT Cut series with Clark that could launch at the end of the year, regardless of whether she enters the WNBA Draft this year or returns for one last collegiate season at Iowa. Juju is must-see TV, getting buckets on a nightly basis at USC. She’s a player that Nike could be building up already with LA regional product launches while she’s still in school. I’m expecting to see all three take their leap as leading faces of Nike Basketball this year.

Photo courtesy of Curry Brand

Future of Curry Brand

Since launching in late 2020, Stephen Curry is now on his fourth signature under his own Curry Brand, as he’s looked to establish his new “Splash” logo and the Flow technology that’s made its way across Curry’s product lineup of new models.

With a lifetime deal in place, 2024 projects to be all about expanding Curry Brand even more. Its first signature athlete, Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox, is set to debut his own namesake silhouette. The new year could bring even more athlete and ambassador signings.

A potential first appearance for Curry at the Summer Olympics in Paris will also serve up yet another global stage for the Warriors star to showcase the future of his brand.

Year of the Foamposite

One of the keys to watch for Nike Sportswear this year will be the re-emergence of the Foamposite. After the model took off on an extensive run in 2012, the brand tucked the iconic Penny Hardaway sneaker back into the vault in recent years.

This year, it’s looking like a lineup of some of the most beloved Foamposites since its 1997 introduction is on the way back. The classic “Dark Neon Royal” is set to return, with detailing inspired by the sample pair from Nike’s original “Phone Number” campaign, complete with the blue Swoosh border and black and blue carbon fiber checkered shank.

Look for the Eggplant Retro once again, along with one of the greatest theme colorways ever, as the “Galaxy” Foamposite from 2012 All-Star Weekend sees a return for the first time.

Now priced at $240 retail, near-monthly Foamposite launches could lead to a serious category driver for Nike’s Sportswear imprint.

Photo courtesy of Reebok

Reebok Is Back (again!)

With new ownership comes new moves, and 2024 should become a foundational year for Reebok’s new vision and direction going forward. President of Basketball Shaquille O’Neal’s first move was signing LSU star Angel Reese to the brand, and this year, Reebok is looking to land an additional face of the company from the NBA.

With a replenished and more strategic retro approach for its coveted Allen Iverson and Shaq models to come this year, I expect ’24 to be the year that sets the company up for decades down the road as Reebok looks to re-capture the success and momentum it enjoyed throughout the 1990s.

(Ned Dishman / NBAE via Getty Images)

KD 4 Retro Releases

The breakthrough model of Kevin Durant’s line is on the way back, as the KD 4 is set to return all year long in both OG and new looks. Looking back at the original lineup of colorways from the 2011-12 season in which KD made his first trip to the NBA Finals, you realize just how deep the coveted colorways went.

These really the ones right here. The Galaxy a close second.. https://t.co/JgG2S8ZuUl
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) July 10, 2023

Durant recently named the “Galaxy” and “Weatherman” themes as his two favorites, although the favorite from most is often the “Nerf” KD 4. With his new lifetime deal with the Swoosh locked in, the KD 4 Retro should look to establish the next chapter of the KD business on the Retro side, with people calling for the return of the strapped-up silhouette for years now, and 2024 finally delivering.

Photo courtesy of Nike

Tiger’s Next Move

2024 started with a storyline that nobody would’ve ever expected to become a reality — Nike and Tiger Woods were splitting up. One of the most impactful sports marketing partnerships ever ended after 27 years and hundreds of millions in generated revenue. With Nike shifting to a lessened emphasis on new golf products and an expected focus on its growing Jordan Golf business, the two sides are parting ways as Woods enters the closing chapter of his career on the PGA Tour.

In many ways, the split is comparable to Roger Federer‘s departure from Nike, as the brand struggled to justify paying the tennis icon’s market value when weighed against its small Nike Tennis business. Federer ultimately landed a 10-year, $300 million apparel ambassador deal with Uniqlo and an equity-driven footwear partnership with On that projects to be worth around the same figure.

Going forward, Woods is expected to soon announce his new brand partnership, potentially launching his own “TW” line of apparel in tandem with TaylorMade, according to industry sources. For the last year, he’s primarily played in FootJoy golf shoes on the course.

The Olympics!

The 2020 Olympics were unfortunately impacted due to the pandemic, leading to a shifting launch calendar that brands had trouble planning for once the Summer Games eventually took place in Japan in 2021. This year, the Paris Olympics are set to begin in late July and look to land as a triumphant return for new tech and innovation debuts.

I’ve always loved seeing what brands have in store from a statement product standpoint, not just for the expected running and basketball events but for new sports like skating or specialty usage sports like weightlifting and even equestrian in years past.

With the Olympics taking place in one of the world’s fashion capitals, the storytelling should go that much deeper. I’ll have my eye on a handful of hoopers in particular.

France native Victor Wembanyama could launch his first collection of PE colorways in Paris. Curry could debut a new silhouette during his first Olympic appearance. Nikola Jokić is expected to be donning his first signature shoe with 361°. Joel Embiid will also be suiting up for Team USA this summer, and the sneaker free agent could have an Olympic surprise in store.

Last but not least, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should see his star power go to another level as he leads a loaded Team Canada toward a potential Olympic medal.

Recent Anta prototypes worn by Kyrie Irving

Can Kyrie Make His Mark Again?

After parting ways with Nike over a year ago, Kyrie Irving landed a new five-year shoe deal with Anta that will see his first signature collection launch this spring. Already, he’s been practicing in blacked-out prototypes of two different sneakers from his upcoming KAI branded line, with a series of layered themes and more vibrant retail colorways expected to launch throughout the year.

When he left Nike, his annual signature business was towering toward $400 million annually, making Irving one of the industry’s most successful series movers. 2024 will be an early indicator of whether Kyrie can continue his success in the industry under his new deal with Anta, which boasts more than 9,000 stores throughout Asia.

His next venture also includes a new wrinkle, with Irving taking an ownership stake in the global distribution plan by becoming an investor in Kicks Crew, where his signature series will be made available to US consumers.

“It’s a game-changer in the athlete-brand partnership landscape,” said Irving. “It’s not just about endorsing a product anymore — it’s about being actively involved in how that product reaches consumers … We’re redefining the traditional athlete approach to shoe deals.”

If Irving can once again surpass the esteemed $100 million mark for his second act signature business this year, I wouldn’t rule out a return towards him elevating and becoming a top-five seller again.

(Photo by Al Bello / Getty Images)

The Shai Superstar Takeoff

As the longtime double-digit signature lines of league icons from LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry continue on, there’s a new class of rising stars I expect to see take a huge jump in 2024. That trio should include Anthony Edwards, who’s debut Adidas AE 1 will be one of the best signatures of 2024, rapidly rising Pacers point Tyrese Haliburton, and MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Currently under contract with Converse, if the OKC Thunder star in Gilgeous-Alexander entered a true sneaker free agency this fall, I fully believe that Shai could become one of the most sought-after endorsers in industry history. Several brands would immediately make him the face of their company — meaning a signature shoe will be an expected component of every potential offer.

I’ve been jokingly using this stat when talking to folks throughout the industry about his impact, but it’s still true: Last season, SGA became the first and only player to be named to the All-NBA first team and the All-League Fits first team in the same season.

While the second award from SLAM’s Instagram off-shoot page might hold less historical significance on paper, it matters, and truly speaks to Shai’s rise as a crossover superstar, where he’s mastered the blend of on- and off-court perhaps better than anyone during the tunnel era.

With the Thunder now a contending team heading into this year’s playoffs and the Team Canada headliner projecting to be a breakout star at the Paris Olympics, the time is right for a Shai signature business to begin.

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The post Nick DePaula’s 10 Sneaker Headlines to Look Forward to in 2024 appeared first on Boardroom.

Snoop Dogg Signs on as Olympics Reporter with NBC

Bernadette Doykos — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 14:00:00 +0000

The post Snoop Dogg Signs on as Olympics Reporter with NBC appeared first on Boardroom.

10 Sports Business Predictions for 2024

Shlomo Sprung — Mon, 01 Jan 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Laying out 10 predictions for the new year, including massive NBA media rights, MLB expansion, in-season tournaments, soccer, F1, and the Olympics.

As the holiday season leads to the calendar turning from 2023 to 2024, there are certain tentpole events in the sports business world that we’re already greatly anticipating.

The NBA is expected to sign a new media contract that would begin in 2025 and be worth vastly more than the $2.67 billion it makes on its current deal. After the Finals in June, local TV contracts for 15 NBA teams under Bally Sports will expire, ushering in a summer of media-free agency we haven’t seen in a long time. That same month, soccer’s highly anticipated European championships in Germany will be followed shortly thereafter in late July by the Summer Olympics in Paris, where the US men’s basketball team will look to avenge a fourth-place finish at this year’s World Cup.

A college football national champion will be crowned in January, the last title in the four-team College Football Playoff era before it expands to 12 in 2025. In February, the Super Bowl comes to Las Vegas for the first time. It could make the final year Vegas doesn’t have an MLB team, with the Oakland A’s set to move when their Oakland Coliseum lease expires next October. It’s an exciting time for a city that hosted its first-ever Formula 1 race in 2023 and houses the two-time WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces.

Enough talk, let’s look into the Boardroom crystal ball and make 10 sports business predictions for 2024!

Amazon, NBC, and Peacock will gain NBA media rights deals.

The NBA can’t afford to lose ESPN and Turner as television partners, and vice versa. While they’ll eventually come to an agreement to extend their respective rights deals, both deals will come with fewer games as the league’s price tag will be a limiting factor given the networks’ need to spend on other sports media rights.

A streaming partner will be a necessity for any league moving forward — Amazon will get games at least weekly in their newest breakthrough deal to complement the NFL in the US. There’s going to be a fierce battle for Thursday night, with TNT wanting to keep its traditional slot and Amazon wanting to make Thursdays its signature live sports night to go with football.

And finally, who doesn’t love the ’90s NBA on NBC nostalgia? NBC and Peacock will get a few games per month, primarily for streaming non-exclusive local games like the NHL with Hulu and MLB with ESPN+. Disney won’t be happy with ABC not being the only traditional broadcast network getting games, but times change, and having the NBA back on NBC 5-10 times a year will feel so right.

After the deal gets done, the league will get more serious about expanding from 30 to 32 teams. Las Vegas and Seattle are the overwhelming favorites to land the new franchises.

The 12-team CFP will lead to further conference realignment and turmoil.

Expanding the College Football Playoff from four to 12 teams will make things more fair and equitable, right?

Wrong!

Just take a look at the top 12 in this year’s final CFP rankings. As of next season, Florida State will have been the only team outside the SEC and Big Ten in the top dozen. While each major conference champion will get automatic spots, the SEC and Big Ten will inevitably gobble up all the at-large bids. That will only lead to more big-time schools like Florida State and Clemson pressing to leave to the behemoths.

The big question is whether the Big 12 and ACC will stay competitive enough in a 12-team playoff era to sustain itself. I’m betting it won’t, leading to the two major conference models we’re seemingly destined to enter, with NIL further separating the haves and the have-nots.

Baseball expansion talks will gain some serious steam.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred‘s said for years that when the A’s and Rays get their stadium situations sorted, the league will start thinking about expansion. Late this year, the A’s got league ownership approval to move the team to Las Vegas, and the Rays reached an agreement to build a new stadium in St. Pete that will lead to decades more of dismally embarrassing attendance.

Cities like Nashville, Charlotte, Portland, Montreal, and Salt Lake are ready to ratchet up expansion discussions with MLB. For the first time in decades, the league will finally be open and receptive to expand for the first time since 1998.

Jude Bellingham will be regarded as the world’s best soccer player.

Maybe it’s the surreal brace I witnessed in Barcelona at El Clásico in October. Perhaps it’s the 17 goals in 20 games across all competitions for a 20-year-old in his first season at Real Madrid. But I believe 2024 is the year attacking midfielder Jude Bellingham becomes known as the best soccer player on the planet.

That designation will be sealed in June and July when Bellingham leads Madrid to the Champions League title over Erling Haaland and Manchester City, and Jude paces England to the Euro 2024 title over Kylian Mbappé and France. Mbappé will then star for the French at the Paris Olympics and turn around and spurn Paris Saint-Germain to join Bellingham at Real Madrid. But a year from now, we’ll be looking at Bellingham as the world’s top player, opening up a slew of marketing and portfolio-building opportunities for the youngster.

MLB and NHL will seriously consider in-season tournaments of their own.

After seeing the NBA’s In-Season Tournament spice up its early season and increase national and local TV ratings by 26 and 20%, respectively, baseball and hockey will get on the cup bandwagon for 2025.

For MLB, this is a no-brainer. Have one Tuesday or Thursday game per week for a month in April and May count as Selig Cup matches, with the top eight heading to a single-elimination tournament at a warm neutral site over Memorial Day weekend. The NHL can do something similar, with the semifinals and finals replacing or adding to the Winter Classic on New Year’s Day.

It’s time we gave those sports some more early regular-season juice and conversational journey. All they need to do is simply follow the NBA’s lead. The NFL season is too short for a tournament, but we’ll soon see every team playing one neutral site, international game within the next 3-5 years.

The 2024 US men’s Olympic basketball team will rival the Redeem Team and the Dream Team as the best Team USA squads ever.

The last time a senior US men’s basketball team had a showing as poor as its fourth-place finish at the 202 World Cup, we got the legendary LeBron, Kobe, D-Wade, and Melo-led Redeem Team for the 2008 Olympics. I predict the projected roster for the 2024 team in Paris will end up being better than 2008, challenging the 1992 Dream Team for the best USA Basketball team ever.

LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Jayson Tatum, Anthony Davis, and Damian Lillard? Plus, other All-Stars waiting in the wings, such as potentially Kawhi Leonard, Jaylen Brown, Paul George, Bam Adebayo, Draymond Green, and many others? The 2024 US team will be out for revenge in Paris and could emerge as the best basketball team ever assembled.

Bonus Olympics predictions: Look for the US women’s soccer team to avenge its poor World Cup showing, with Sophia Smith emerging as a household name. Another name to watch out for? Give me Sha’Carri Richardson dominating on the track.

The biggest women’s NCAA tournament ever will lead to the best WNBA rookie class ever.

With record crowds and television ratings, women’s college basketball has never been more popular. The game’s biggest stars like Caitlin Clark, Cameron Brink, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese will not only lead women’s March Madness to outshine the men once again but will also bring with it the best WNBA draft class ever.

Clark teaming with Aaliyah Boston with the Indiana Fever? Brink or Bueckers bringing the LA Sparks back to greatness or leading the Phoenix Mercury or Seattle Storm into their next eras? Sign me up!

On that note, the WNBA Draft needs more shine. Let’s put it at an arena where fans can bring the live energy. Even better? Hold it the night of or the night after the Final Four in the host city — ratings and buzz bonanza.

Look out for a company like Amazon or Netflix to try to get into the RSN game.

With Sinclair’s Diamond Sports in bankruptcy proceedings, more and more teams will follow the lead of the Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, and others to put their games on free TV with an added direct-to-consumer subscription product. But the opportunity is wide open for a streamer like Amazon or Netflix to gobble up Diamond deals across the NBA, NHL, and MLB.

Amazon is reportedly already in talks with Diamond for an investment to do just that with a multi-year Prime Video streaming partnership. But if that fails, streamers should try to pick teams up a-la-carte to bring more premium sports content to their subscribers. The RSN model is clearly dead, and 2024 will be when seismic change occurs in how local fans watch their sports.

As F1 interest levels off stateside, the league will try to pursue a fourth US race … in NYC.

While Formula 1 remains incredibly popular in the US, its average television viewership of 1.11 million per race is down from 1.21 million in 2022. It’s the first major sign of F1 popularity peaking in the US despite three American races on the schedule in Miami, Austin, and Las Vegas.

As 2024 progresses, noise will grow louder about moving the Austin race to New York City in the future, whether at Central Park, the Brooklyn waterfront, or a more remote location like Randall’s Island.

“Racing in New York, in Manhattan, if that were ever to be possible, that would be great without discounting all the other venues,” Mercedes principal and part owner Toto Wolff told me earlier this year. “We’ll find a way around that’s spectacular. I don’t know where it would be, but racing on Fifth Avenue? It would be amazing.”

New York City would continue the sport’s momentum that may have finally leveled off in 2023.

Volleyball will separate itself as the next big women’s sport.

Women’s sports has never had more momentum. The WNBA is expanding and growing. The NWSL signed a record-breaking media deal, cementing its well-earned ascent. And after seeing the success of college volleyball, capped by Texas upsetting Nebraska in the national championship game, it’s clear to see that volleyball will emerge as the next big women’s sport.

Pro women’s volleyball leagues like League One Volleyball (LOVB) and Athletes Unlimited will take advantage of that in ways softball couldn’t, promoting the top college stars, combining them with the top global pros, and gaining more visibility. It’s a long, drawn-out process to gain relevance and popularity — look at pro women’s basketball and soccer— but volleyball is next.

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The post 10 Sports Business Predictions for 2024 appeared first on Boardroom.

Allyson Felix Plans to Stick Around

Vinciane Ngomsi — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 16:09:17 +0000

She may have retired, but Allyson Felix isn’t going away. The former Olympian is busy building her brand and even making plans for Paris in 2024.

The past year has marked a significant change for Allyson Felix. Revered for her impressive speed on the track, Felix retired from competitive racing after the 2022 season. The Los Angeles native walks away from the game as the most decorated woman — and American — in Olympic track and field history, having earned 11 total medals from five consecutive Olympic Games.

But even in retirement, Felix is keeping busy. In this new era, the 37-year-old is staying in shape while shifting her focus.

“Everything used to revolve around training in my life, and now I’m doing so many other different things that it’s not the priority that it used to be,” Felix told Boardroom. “But it is important to me and it makes me feel like myself. So I have to schedule time for that in my day, but it looks a lot different. I still love to be on the track, but I started taking tennis lessons and I’m doing some Pilates, so just really switching it up and finding new ways to move my body.”

In addition to reclaiming her time, Felix has taken on a number of entrepreneurial endeavors that keep her busy. Prior to her retirement, she launched the running shoe and apparel company Saysh with her brother in 2019.

“There are so many ups and downs in the world of entrepreneurship,” she said, “and I think that represents the perseverance and determination of an athlete. I’ve dealt with numerous injuries and disappointments, and I think that’s really helped adjust my perspective as I am entering into the business world. Of course, there are going to be hardships, but it’s really just how you navigate it.”

Additionally, while her time on the track may have come to an end, she’s taken on a new role in the run-up to her hometown of LA’s 2028 Olympic moment. She was tapped to join the Athletes’ Commission, for both the local games and the IOC.

Time Tested

Felix has also maintained a number of brand partnerships, including one with OMEGA.

Felix joined fellow Olympic medalists Noah Lyles, Nathan Chen, and Oksana Masters last Friday for a discussion at the opening of the Planet OMEGA Exhibit at the Chelsea Factory in New York. OMEGA has been the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games since 1932, and the Official Timekeeper of the Paralympic Games since 1992.

With a gold-winning figure skater and another who has gold hardware in biathlon, cycling, and cross-country skiing, will Felix capitalize on her abundance of time by learning a new sport?

“I don’t think figure skating is my strength,” she joked, adding, “but I would love for my daughter to experience it. I need to ask Nathan for tips and tricks on how to get her started. That’s definitely not the gift that I have, but maybe. You never know.”

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Chen would be the perfect person to consult. The Salt Lake City-born athlete has won three medals in figure skating at the Olympic Winter Games – including a gold in Beijing last year. As for Lyles, he took home the bronze in the 200m event at Tokyo 2020 and three gold medals at the 2023 World Championships. As Lyles and Paralympian Oksana Masters continue training for Paris next summer, Felix shared whether she has provided any helpful advice to either of the two.

“I think Noah’s well on his way,” she said. “He has so much personality and fun energy that that’s always exciting for the sport. I love being around Oskana. She’s just such an inspirational person in and outside of sport, and so I’ve been able to get to know her, and I think she’s just really special. I’m excited to be able to cheer all of them on. It’s quickly approaching.”

Is Allyson Felix Headed to Paris?

We’re months away from knowing which athletes will represent their respective countries in Paris next year. However, is there a chance Felix could parlay her experience on the track into an analyst role?

“I’m definitely open to the possibilities and excited to have a presence in Paris, so I’m still figuring out exactly what that will look like,” Felix teased, adding that she’ll “be around” in Europe next July and August.

In the meantime, Felix is focusing her attention on being a mom to five-year-old Camryn and running Saysh. Felix teamed up with her brother, Wes, to start the company in 2020 and the pair has since brought on investors Athleta and IRIS to raise $8 million in its Series A round last year.

“I’ve been blessed to be part of some of the most incredible teams in the world, and so bringing that experience to my business has been really helpful as well. I’m excited for the future and just motivated by our mission and excited to just see us show up more.”

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The ETCs: Kelsey Plum Pulls Up

Boardroom Staff — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 16:01:00 +0000

In the run-up to the WNBA All-Star Game, Eddie Gonzalez sat down with Las Vegas Aces standout Kelsey Plum to discuss the business of building a brand, her epic résumé, and much more.

Click here to listen to the full episode.

“You have the most impressive résumé of anyone we’ve had, including Kevin.”

While no stranger to a hot take, host Eddie Gonzalez’s introduction to this episode’s guest on The ETCs, WNBA All-Star Kelsey Plum, is no hyperbole. The 2022 WNBA Champion has assembled a laundry list of accolades through the years, including but not limited to:

2022 Olympics Gold Medalist
2022 WNBA All-Star Game MVP
2022 All-WNBA First Team
2021 WNBA Sixth Player of the Year
2018, 2019 Turkish Super League champion
2017 first overall WNBA draft pick
All-time NCAA women’s basketball leading scorer (career and single season)

The list goes on.

In the run-up to her 2023 WNBA All-Star Game appearance, Plum sat down with Gonzalez for a very special conversation. The duo discussed how Plum’s collegiate records gave her a reputation she wanted to shake as she entered the league, the vibe of Las Vegas as a sports town, and the narratives around what it means to be a “superteam.” They also break down the dynamics of playing in the 3V3 Tournament and why “building a brand” can just mean showing up and performing at your best.

Want More of The ETCs?

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Department of Justice Reviewing PGA Tour and LIV Deal

Bernadette Doykos — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 13:00:00 +0000

The post Department of Justice Reviewing PGA Tour and LIV Deal appeared first on Boardroom.

LVMH Finalizing $161 Million Sponsorship Deal for 2024 Olympics

Vinciane Ngomsi — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 17:02:41 +0000

Antoine Arnault, son of LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault, is spearheading the deal ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris are a little over a year away, and one of the biggest brands in France is reportedly closing in on a massive deal to sponsor the competition. LVMH is working on an agreement with the Olympics worth in the ballpark of $161.31 million, according to Reuters.

LVMH previously supported Paris’s bid to host the games by contributing $2.3 million to the city’s campaign.

Spearheading the effort on LVMH’s side is the 46-year-old Antoine Arnault, the highest-profile of LVMH Chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault’s five children. His duties include overseeing promotions of the LVMH group and directorial control over its two biggest labels — Louis Vuitton and Dior.

Speaking at LVMH’s annual shareholding meeting in April, he declared the opening ceremony “will likely be the most-watched event in the history of television, in the history of the games — a spectacular event,” according to Hypebeast.

Although it would be a memorable partnership, it’s still too early to think about what fun activations could come from this alliance. Paris 2024 CEO Tony Estanguet said last week that nothing is set in stone.

“It takes time, but we want to make sure that this partnership makes sense and is balanced,” the exec said.

Should this deal go through, Reuters says Arnault’s responsibilities will include “upholding LVMH’s role as a steward of opulent craftsmanship and French heritage,” but also doing away with gaudy logo placement that weakens its reputation. Should both sides reach an agreement, consider this a monumental achievement in the union of fashion and sports.

Other brands to already confirm their participation in the 2024 games include Airbnb, The Coca-Cola Company, Omega, Samsung, and more.

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Mikaela Shiffrin Is Bringing Skiing to the Masses

Jared Ebanks — Sun, 07 May 2023 14:00:00 +0000

Mikaela Shiffrin made headlines when she broke a long-standing World Cup record. She spoke to Boardroom about how her individual success is only one part of the story.

On March 11, 27-year-old Mikaela Shiffrin became the most decorated alpine skier of all time. Breaking two-time Olympian Ingemar Stenmark’s record of 86 wins, Shiffrin now owns the most-ever World Cup victories with 88.

Just two months prior, the Vail native surpassed three-time Olympic medalist Lindsey Vonn to become the winningest women’s alpine skier ever.

Following months of rising anticipation and subsequent weeks filled with press tours and interviews, the only thing on Shiffrin’s mind following the season was getting back to her everyday routine, surrounded by friends and family.

While an extended weekend in Cabo and quality time with her inner circle at home in Colorado have provided a necessary break from the chaos, the United States’ most recognizable skier remains fixated on her commitment toward growing the sport that she has poured herself into for over two decades.

“I’ve always had a bit of a focus on trying to bring skiing more into the spotlight in whatever way that I can,” Shiffrin told Boardroom.

Shiffrin is the only athlete to have ever won a race in each of the six World Cup disciplines – Downhill, Super-G, Slalom, Giant Slalom, Combined and Parallel. It’s caused US Ski & Snowboard President and CEO Sophie Goldschmidt to struggle finding the best analogy to describe Shiffrin’s greatness.

“It’s like being a speed skater or a figure skater and playing in the NHL. She’s doing four very different disciplines,” Goldschmidt said.

Her dominance on the mountain is somehow more impressive when considering she’s still in her prime. For context, she secured the all-time women’s record six years earlier in her career than when Vonn notched her 85th win at age 33.

“What Mikaela has achieved – especially in the last few months – it really is quite unparalleled, and is incredibly special for her most importantly, and also for our organization,” Goldschmidt said.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mikaela Shiffrin (@mikaelashiffrin)

Appointed to her post in September 2021, Goldschmidt has had a unique perspective throughout Shiffrin’s run.

The first note Shiffrin sent to Goldschmidt had nothing to do with her own time in the spotlight.

Fellow Olympic teammate Paula Moltzan had just placed in the top seven for women’s alpine skiers alongside Shiffrin. It marked the highest dual ranking for US skiers in recent memory. Shiffrin wanted more people to recognize Moltzan’s accomplishments and asked Goldschmidt and the organization to amplify her efforts.

“People are talking about me winning my 86th race, but they should be talking about the fact that we have two American women who are both able to win and podium at races,” Shiffrin said. “That’s even more important because it’s a sign of the times to come and the future ahead for US skiing.”

“It’s not enough to just reach that success,” she added. “It’s trying to bring other people along with you, up with you. Lifting other people up and lifting the sport up.”

Locking into ski bindings since she was six years old, Shiffrin knows that highlighting the depth of talent in the US will only produce more fans stateside. It’s an issue that’s lingered around the sport for decades.

As the youngest Olympic Slalom Gold Medalist in history at just 18 years old, Shiffrin has seen firsthand that the limelight off the slopes has a direct correlation with the success on them. You can put in all the effort in the world, but if the results aren’t instantaneous, the attention doesn’t follow.

“And with that recognition comes a responsibility to represent the sport and continue to promote it better than I ever had,” Shiffrin said. “It’s become increasingly more important for me, especially with so many struggles that we face in the industry.”

There is no shortage of challenges within ski racing. From the impacts of climate change to high entry costs, the United States has struggled with broadening the reach of its snowsport athletes compared to the rest of the world.

Europe dominates the sport partly due to The Alps’ vast mountain ranges. However, the continent also invests in amplifying the sport through far-reaching broadcasts.

Compared to other major sports like basketball, football, and baseball, Shiffrin said skiing just barely misses the mark on mirroring the latter’s entertainment value. Then, there are glimpses of brilliance like the Winter Olympics, where athletes are thrust in front of the greater sports audience thanks to the over 2 billion eyeballs that NBC Sports draws.

“It’s more of a niche sport,” Shiffrin told Boardroom. “And I don’t know how much we’re going to be able to change that as a whole, but we can certainly make it more available to the masses.”

USA’s Mikaela Shiffrin competes in the Women’s Giant Slalom event of the FIS Ski World Cup Finals. (Photo by Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP) (Photo by LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP via Getty Images)

Achieving 17 global medals in 13 World Cup seasons, the two-time Olympic Gold Medalist highlights the sport’s action elements. Like the adrenaline associated with traveling down a 4 kilometer run at 40 miles per hour.

While a contract extension in October 2022 between NBC Sports and US Ski & Snowboard added eight domestic FIS World Cups to its coverage during the 2022-23 season, issues ranging from REITs to full-season coverage make it, “really hard to make any moves in order to make the sport more appealing from an advertisement perspective,” as Shiffrin put it.

That’s where commercial success becomes a vital component of any winter sports athlete’s brand.

“The problem with a lot of sponsors, especially in the US, is that they only think it’s an Olympic sport and they only want to activate around the Olympics. Some just don’t see the whole picture,” two-time Olympian Killian Albrecht told Boardroom.

Serving as her agent since 2011, the former Australian World Cup racer remembers watching in awe when he first witnessed Shiffrin’s technical skill.

“She skied like an 18-year-old,” Albrecht said.

Albrecht’s first assignment as the then 16-year-old’s agent was securing partnerships for Shiffrin’s headgear — one of the prime placements for endorsement logos. From her first to 88th World Cup win, Barilla has been stamped across her helmet.

Initially, Shiffrin’s parents and agent were hesitant to quickly expand her endorsement portfolio. They didn’t want to overload her as a teenager still attending school. Plus, the schedule of a high schooler competing in World Cup races worldwide doesn’t allow the time to fulfill sponsorship obligations.

Eventually, the team began to add just one sponsor per year. At first, Albrecht said companies presented lower offers because they were betting on Shiffrin’s future. For those in her camp, Shiffrin’s eventual success on the mountain was all but confirmed. It’s one of the many reasons why Albrecht fought for Shiffrin’s race bonuses to rival those of the top-ranked skiers throughout her early years.

In 2019, Shiffrin became the first competitive skier to earn over $1 million in prize money in a single season. Holding partnerships with the likes of Oakley, Bose, Reusch and GrubHub, all of her deals mirror her personality. The companies also take advantage of Shiffrin’s influence in both the US and European markets.

Joining Longines as an ambassador in 2014, Albrecht was responsible for including a clause within her contract for a commercial, knowing a longer form of advertisement catered toward added viewership in more markets. The commercial ran for four years.

A 30-second spot with Land Rover marketing their new Range Rover Sport in 2019 ran for two World Cup seasons.

“You need sponsors like that. That actually get her out there, that invest in her,” Albrecht told Boardroom.

Celebrating her all-time wins victory with a two-minute tribute video, Adidas has been one of Shiffrin’s most impactful partners. Shiffrin signed with the 3 Stripes in 2019 and describes her ambassadorship with them as liberating and empowering.

Headlining their Reimagine Sport campaign in January of 2020 alongside the brand’s series of outdoor toolings, Shiffrin has since been plastered in storefront windows across the globe sporting Adidas. The expanded exposure not reliant on her competing on the course hasn’t been lost on her either.

“They’ve wanted to elevate my personality through the Terrex line, through their various campaigns,” she said. “Not fit me into their particular image, but to actually help me explore my own image through them.”

However, Goldschmidt still believe people don’t celebrate Shiffrin’s professionalism and service as an ambassador for skiing enough. After all, she’s the best to ever stride toward the starting block.

“What she does as a professional, outside of training and racing,” Goldschmidt said. “How she is with our partners and donors, her sponsors with the media, helping other teammates and mentoring some of the next generations. She really is very special from that standpoint. I think it’s the little things that people don’t see. Her respect and gratitude to the fans.”

What a whirlwind the last 2 weeks have been! After ski testing in Austria and our first spring training camp in Kvitfjell, we traveled to the @adidas HQ in Germany for a visit. I want to thank everyone there for the incredibly warm welcome… (cont. below)#createdwithadidas pic.twitter.com/9hCpFEShHa
— Mikaela Shiffrin (@MikaelaShiffrin) May 1, 2023

An hour after competing in multiple runs on race day, Shiffrin can be found at the base of the course in her gear surrounded by a sea of fans. Signing autographs and doing more than her allotted interview requests has been routine as she continues to strengthen her brand.

She feels the effects when reminiscing about fans telling her where they were when she reached win 87. The moments when little boys and girls were chanting her name at her homecoming celebration in Vail. Hearing the next generation of alpine skiers explaining the impact her record-breaking season had on them.

She remembers all too well being in those same boots. She recalls the inescapable feeling of becoming starstruck in the presence of her favorite sports figures. When dreams begin to balloon and ambitions fuel an unceasing inspiration.

“One of the most fulfilling feelings that we get as athletes is making those connections,” Shiffrin said. “It’s one of the few things that for me, ties me back to Earth and reminds me of the little girl – who I was, who I still am and is right there with me – that got me on this path.”

But Shiffrin’s wins or losses don’t govern her overall contentment in the sport. Championing her craft while creating a brighter future of ski racing is ultimately greater than any podium finish.

“There’s got to be more depth to it than winning races, there has to be personality,” Shiffrin said. “And I hope that some part of my legacy is sharing personality with the sport, instead of just winning within it, but actually helping to create some connection with other people.”

“That’s my way of connecting with those around me is through ski racing right now. And I hope people are able to see that over whatever number of victories I end up with.”

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The post Mikaela Shiffrin Is Bringing Skiing to the Masses appeared first on Boardroom.

Why Michael Phelps is Diving Headfirst into Golf

Michael LoRé — Sun, 12 Mar 2023 14:00:00 +0000

Since retiring from swimming in 2016, the most decorated Olympian of all time continues to get his competitive fix on the golf course.

Since he was 7 years old, Michael Phelps spent the majority of his days in the water.

These days though, the record-setting swimmer and the most decorated Olympian of all time is doing everything he can to avoid the water … and sand traps, and any other hazards that stand in his way on a golf course.

“I’m just obsessed,” Phelps told Boardroom. “I got my wife obsessed too, which is nice so we get to get out and play a ton.”

Michael and Nicole Phelps aren’t the only ones going gaga over golf.

Golf is undergoing a metamorphosis thanks to a number of factors including but not limited to: being a safe outdoor activity during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Netflix’s behind-the-scenes docuseries Full Swing, the popularity of golf-entertainment venues like Topgolf, and more opportunities, resources, and support for women and minorities in and around the game, including the APGA Tour and Steph Curry’s Underrated Golf Tour.

The number of US on-course participants in 2022 increased to 25.6 million — a net gain of 500,000 over the previous year — according to the National Golf Foundation. Rounds played in 2022 were 15% above the average of the 2017-19 period, with a record 3.3 million people playing on a US golf course for the first time last year.

Not only is golf arguably hotter than ever, but it’s also the perfect sport, and certainly less physically demanding, for Phelps and other competitors to get their fix, especially after retiring.

“I’m a super competitive human, so being able to play golf and compete with anybody you possibly play with is so cool,” Phelps said. “I can go out and play with (world No. 2 Jon) Rahm and he gives me a ton of shots, but I still compete. That’s one of the things I love about golf.”

Mental health

Just like he did in the pool for three decades, getting into a rhythm physically and mentally is the key to Phelps’ success on the golf course, whether he’s teeing it up with his wife, buddies on a weekend trip, or alongside other notable figures during the WM Phoenix Open Pro-Am or Icons Series.

Knowing one bad shot or putt can ruin an entire round, Phelps, 37, said he has tricks to stay out of his own head and leverages simple things like taking a walk and breathing to refocus.

“This game is almost more mental than anything else,” he said.

The mental aspect isn’t just limited to the course, though.

A proponent for mental health, Phelps has shared personal stories of struggles with depression and anxiety, helping others not only identify and address their own battles but to help destigmatize the much-needed conversation around mental health, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The number and rate of suicides in the US increased by 4% from 2020 to 2021 after two consecutive years of decline pre-pandemic, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Phelps joins other notable athletes speaking candidly about mental health including Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, and Kevin Love.

“We have dozens of people who have opened up and talked about it, and I think it really has started to help,” Phelps said. “But we need more people standing up and talking about it because the suicide rate continues to climb and rise.”

WHOOP, there it is

Not only does Phelps prioritize his mental health on and off the golf course, but sleep is also a top focus for him.

During his swimming days, Phelps said he would make sure to get 10-12 hours of sack time each day, not only as he recovers from his prior training sessions in and out of the pool, but also to prepare his body for the next test.

He relies on the data and metrics from WHOOP, not only being one of the wearables company’s first users but first investors.

“I want to try to get as many days in the green as I possibly can,” he said. “I know if I have a green day, the chances of me being productive that day are really good. I don’t have to take any precautionary measures or steps back because of how my body is or what my recovery score told me. Those stats are absolutely everything.”

Founded in 2011 by Will Ahmed, WHOOP raised $200 million in a Series F funding round led by SoftBank at a $3.6 valuation in August 2021. WHOOP, which has raised approximately $400 million to date, also boasts Kevin Durant’s Thirty Five Ventures, LeBron James, Patrick Mahomes, Larry Fitzgerald, Rory McIlroy, and Justin Thomas as athlete-investors.

An official partner of the PGA Tour and NFL Players Association, WHOOP recently announced a partnership with Hyperice as well as its entry into brick-and-mortar through third-party retailers including Best Buy.

“We got a bunch of new features coming out and some interesting ways to look at the human body—things that relate to weightlifting, stress, deeper coaching,” Ahmed said. “I think it’s going to be probably one of the most innovative years in the company’s history. Beyond that, we’re starting to expand more internationally through third-party distributors.

“It’s a pretty new and exciting time for the company.”

A Breaking Conversation With B-Girl Sunny Choi

Rory Robinson — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 16:00:00 +0000

New York City phenom Grace “B-Girl Sunny” Choi gives Boardroom the insider view of the world of competitive breaking along the road to its 2024 Olympic debut in Paris.

During the day, Grace “Sunny” Choi embraces the neverending grind of corporate America in New York City. By night, Choi ditches the business casual blazer and transforms into B-Girl Sunny, one of the modern era’s most decorated and well-known professional breakdancers.

Surprisingly, Choi didn’t grow up dreaming of breaking. Growing up in Louisville, Kentucky, the option wasn’t even possible. Especially coming from a reserved, conservative household led by Korean immigrant parents. Kentucky’s slow, friendly pace was the opposite of New York’s signature bustle. There was hardly any breakdancing community or scene in the Bluegrass State. Just a tiny little breaking club with five members, one of those constituents being her little brother. Instead, her midwest surroundings drew her toward the world of gymnastics.

Until one spontaneous college night at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia led her to the event known as The Gathering.

That night changed her life forever. Fresh off leaving gymnastics due to a series of injuries, Philly changed a reluctant approach into seeking out a hip-hop event at the Rotunda, a community gathering place fueled by the belief that art is a catalyst for social change. Initially, the graffiti writers, MCs, and breakers appeared intimidating to Choi’s natural timid disposition.

Over time, however, her confidence grew. “I’m going to do what the guys do. I will do what I’m told I can’t do.”

Today, Choi is one of the best on the planet. She’s won the 2015 Outbreak Europe B-Girl solo battle, traveled to Japan, won FISE Hiroshima, and made it to the finals of the 2019 WDSF World Breaking Championships in Nanjing, China.

Now, her eyes are set on the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, where breakdancing will be represented for the first time.

For women, members of the AAPI community, and New Yorkers alike, B-Girl Sunny Choi dances for respect and creative expression and to promote the message of allowing everyone to be comfortable in their skin — check out her conversation with Boardroom below.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

The Business of Breaking With B-Girl Sunny

The Financial Hustle

RORY ROBINSON: Boardroom is especially interested in what the business of breakdancing really looks like. How does a breaker monetize their skill to the fullest?

SUNNY CHOI: As of now, only a few key corporate players are endorsing and sponsoring breakers. I believe Red Bull and Monster are the big ones, but some other companies are starting to look in. In terms of like sponsorships, there are not that many opportunities, unfortunately, at least in the US. Most breakers make ends meet in various ways, but it’s definitely like you’ve gotta hustle.

RR: Would you say it’s similar to the life of a lot of UFC fighters, where you’re making your money in the cage, but perhaps you’re also teaching some classes, doing workshops, and earning appearance fees?

SC: Yeah, I think it’s very similar, although UFC gets more exposure than breaking, so there’s probably more dollars for them in that arena of competition than there is for breaking.

Many breakers have dance studios, teaching, or a side job. A part-time job. [Breakers will] have other side hustles or things to supplement, because competing for most people is not how they can make a living. Training for breaking can be like a full-time job if you’re taking it seriously, so that’s a hard balance for people. I think that will change, but we’re still in that spot of everybody just hustling.

RR: When we examine different sports or activities, some are relatively inexpensive to start, while others are more costly. Where does break dancing fall financially for somebody that wants to get into it and compete at a high level?

SC: Most of us started learning from our friends or at community centers. The newer generation [started] by watching YouTube, and all you need is a floor. In terms of finances for getting started as a breaker, it’s zero.

Even if you don’t have YouTube, get yourself to an event. It’s just going out there, watching people, and then trying it.

I think the startup cost for breaking is virtually none. To be a high-level breaker, you can still do it without having supplementary help. I didn’t start working with a coach until pretty recently.

The Competitive Scene

RR: As far as the competition circuit goes, there’s not really a season, right?

SC: Yeah. It’s basically always on. One of the challenging things about breaking is that your body never gets a break; it’s just breaking as you break.

But yeah, there are jams almost every weekend. If you choose to go to them, you can go year-round, battling at significant events. However, I think it’s stressful on people’s bodies to be doing that. So I think it’s on the breakers to decide if there are times when they can take a break and pull back from the scene.

One of the really tough things about breaking is because it’s always on, if you’re not battling, then you become forgotten somehow. There’s that fear, it is kind of a reality for us. If you disappear for a couple of months, everyone forgets about you. It’s about the next person who’s killing it, you know? And that makes it hard for people to walk away from the breakdancing scene for a hiatus.

RR: Each sport has a coveted prize with the biggest money that every competitor is gunning for. One where you’re recognized as the top in the industry. What is that for breakdancing?

SC: [The] non-Olympic, one-versus-one competition is Red Bull BC One.

Other competitions are massive crew battles. Freestyle Session is a big deal. Battle of the Year is a legendary and legacy event that’s been around forever. There are mixed feelings about what Battle of the Year is today, but that’s still a huge one for crews.

RR: What Makes Red Bull BC One so special?

SC: I have to represent New York for Red Bull BC One, right? Red Bull events get more media exposure than a lot of the other events currently, so that’s definitely a big piece of it. I don’t even know if there’s a cash prize for winning Red Bull, but it’s just become such an iconic event for breakers, you know? So many people get into breaking thinking like, ‘I want to be in Red Bull BC One.’ It just has this iconic status for so many people. I don’t even know if everyone knows what you get, what you wear, ’cause I don’t.

Learned a few breaking moves from B Girl Sunny – Baby Freeze!
NYC corporate professional
Former gymnast
Battles like a BOSS
Tune into @CBSSportsNet to meet the amazing Sunny Choi, learn a few moves, and watch her tear up the dance floor at the @TheWorldGames @TWG2022! pic.twitter.com/3aWmBGInNH
— LaurenSisler (@LaurenSisler) July 12, 2022

Breakdancing in Paris 2024

RR: Breaking is coming to the Paris Summer Olympics in 2024 for the first time. What do you make of the format that will be used?

SC: As the system stands, you do a lot of rounds to get to the top, which I enjoy. It challenges me to create more, but it also shows the breadth of what you can do as a dancer — not just what you can do in four rounds where you must pack all of your crazy moves into those four rounds.

RR: Do you have a sense of how breaking will be portrayed or marketed at the Olympics?

I think that’s a tougher question because we haven’t seen exactly how it will be.

It’s hard because anytime you put breaking on a big stage, you lose so much of the culture and the community. Even the music has to be licensed and okay to play. Hopefully, by the time the Olympics roll around, [there will be] a better representation of the culture, but even then, you don’t have rap lyrics. You don’t have the hip-hop that we listen to outside while practicing on our own.

That piece [with regards to] breaking in the Olympics is a tough one to swallow for a lot of people because it’s so integral to breaking. You don’t have breaking — genuine breaking — without the culture. You don’t have it without the community. But how do you get the culture in the community on a stage? You know, that’s hard, and I don’t have an answer to that.

In some ways, it is good because people who have never seen breaking will have access to breaking differently. Maybe that sparks the creativity of what breaking is causing people to go check out local events.

I definitely have some concerns and questions about things, but, you know, we can’t have everything. I also understand and respect that you can’t have everything perfect exactly how you want it. Because honestly, the way I want it is not how someone else will like it right next to me or the other breakers that are going to be on that stage. I’m just rolling with the punches, and we’ll see where we land come 2024. We should all recognize some challenges, and by doing that, we can somehow work to counteract them.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sunny Choi (@_sunnychoi)

RR: Do you feel the pressure and responsibility that comes along with representing breaking for the first time in the Olympics?

SC: In terms of like pressure, yes, I feel there’s so much at stake as the first round of breakers being in the Olympics.

It’ll be essential for us to fight for things so that things go as we’re hoping they will. I don’t know that everyone who’s organizing is familiar with breaking. They don’t know what we need. They don’t know what our expectations are, you know? Even to the most basic level, I think it will be hard because we all want to represent breaking as best as we can to the amount we have control over. There’s another added layer for me because I’m from the US and New York.

RR: NYC is the Mecca of breaking. What does that status mean to you, and how do you perceive your place in it?

SC: I think a lot of people here in New York are on the more aggressive side when they’re battling. And I do smile a lot, so [I’m] maybe not doing it exactly how everyone else would, but still showing my authenticity and personality.

I don’t freestyle as much as some other people, but I do some, so in that piece, I do want to show that musicality matters. I want to rep the US, right? So there’s that piece of pressure. I hope I can even go to represent the US, but also so people can be proud, like, ‘Hey, we’ve got a New Yorker up there.’

The post A Breaking Conversation With B-Girl Sunny Choi appeared first on Boardroom.

The World Games 2022: The Next Generation of Sport Takes Birmingham

Chuck McMahon — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 14:53:42 +0000

From billiards and bowling to korfball and canoe racing, The World Games represent the next generation of global sports competition on land, air, and water.

Athletes from all over the world are going big in Birmingham, Alabama this week, competing not only for a gold medal but also a shot at superstardom by becoming the face of perhaps the next Olympic sport.

In less than 5 days Birmingham will be on the world's stage for the biggest sports party of the summer!

From Parkour to Tug of War, you won't want to miss these #NewGenofSports!

Grab your tickets to Witness History! → https://t.co/hPB9P6kQqe #WitnessHistory #RoadtoBHM pic.twitter.com/xsSR1Wbh8C
— The World Games 2022 Birmingham (@TWG2022) July 2, 2022

Welcome to The World Games 2022 — the “pinnacle of competition” for 3,600 of the world’s best athletes from 100 countries in 34 unique, multi-disciplinary sports.

We’re talking fan favorites like softball, lacrosse, karate, and climbing, as well as the more fringe feats of flag football, drone racing, tug of war, and korfball.

Korfball? Just keep reading.

From die-hard breakdancing fans to archery aficionados and of course, korfball connoisseurs — there’s something for everyone at the 11th edition of The World Games starting July 7.

Let’s have a look at what to expect during the 11 days of big competition in Birmingham.

What Are The World Games?

Held every four years the year following each Summer Olympic Games, the World Games serve as a grand stage for participating sports and athletes alike.

Think of it like starter dough for Olympic sports — each of the various competitions featured in the Games is not currently contested on the Olympic stage, however they may have been before or may still be in the future.

Flag football, presented by the @NFL, starts at the 2022 World Games THIS WEEKEND.

Being a part of @TWG2022 formalizes flag football as an international sport, promoting the values and benefits of the game to fans worldwide

Learn more: https://t.co/CqQ7MGYYol pic.twitter.com/Q2x4YN9bqo
— Troy Vincent, Sr. (@TroyVincentSr) July 5, 2022

With the blessings of the International Olympic Committee, The World Games give elite athletes a unique opportunity to make it to the mountaintop of their respective sports and to shine a light on a sometimes otherwise unknown sporting event.

Sports like Korfball, which is similar to basketball, is a game from the Netherlands consisting of eight players — four male and four female — whose goal is to throw the ball into a bottomless basket mounted on an 11.5-foot pole.

The Games also give athletes competing in relatively new sports an opportunity to break out on the big stage and show the world who they are and what their sport is all about.

The NFL, for instance, is championing the inclusion of flag football in the upcoming Games — considering it to be a way of formalizing the game into the mainstream.

New sporting events added to this year’s slate of competitions include: drone racing, canoe marathon, breakdancing, parkour, men’s lacrosse, and tug of war

And for the first time in the history of The World Games, a para-sport will be included in the program. We’re talking wheelchair rugby!

What Winning Looks Like at the World Games

As the 40th anniversary, this year’s Games will be the first edition of the event to be hosted in the United States since the inaugural World Games in Santa Clara, California, in 1981.

The World Games 2022 unveiled its gold, silver and bronze medals today at the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. @TWG2022

Birmingham can't wait to host this history-making event starting July 7. For tickets are more information, visit https://t.co/qdbe3IYLuq pic.twitter.com/k0f3FtXeoC
— City of Birmingham (@cityofbhamal) February 23, 2022

And with an estimated economic impact of $256 million for the city — spread across restaurants, bars, hotels, and more — one could argue that Birmingham will be the big winner of The World Games.

Also, unlike the Olympics, Birmingham did not have to build any new sports facilities to host the Games — instead spreading the wealth of attention across 15 existing venues.

But of course, there will be medals — more than 600 to be exact, including 200 gold medals for the ultimate champions in each discipline.

Designed in Birmingham by artist Bill Hoffman, each of the medals depicts the Vulcan statue, Sloss Furnace, and other symbols of the city.

So, which athletes from which countries will win big in Birmingham?

Going into the Games, the all-time medal count has Italy at the top of the list, followed by the United States and Germany.

And perhaps the biggest question of all — can the team from the Netherlands claim its 10th gold medal in a row in Korfball?

The world will be watching.

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The post The World Games 2022: The Next Generation of Sport Takes Birmingham appeared first on Boardroom.

Shaun White is Ready to Soar into the Metaverse

Megan Armstrong — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 16:26:01 +0000

The three-time Olympic gold medalist finished his iconic snowboarding career earlier this month at the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing.

Shaun White is sticking the landing when it comes to his post-athletic life.

"I just want to thank everyone for watching. Everyone at home, thank you. Snowboarding, thank you. It's been the love of my life."

An emotional @ShaunWhite reflects on his career and his final run. #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/dTSTX30o7f
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 11, 2022

Days after dropping into the halfpipe for the last time competitively at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics on Feb. 10, White stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live. The 35-year-old shared that his girlfriend, actress Nina Dobrev, had instructed him, “If you’re retiring, you gotta make [a] list of things you want to do.”

We can’t totally confirm that Web3 is written on White’s list, but according to trademark attorney Josh Gerben of Gerben Intellectual Property, the all-time great snowboarder known as the Flying Tomato is ready to soar into the metaverse.

On Valentine’s Day, White filed for the trademark “WHITESPACE” and identified plans to sell “virtual goods” from his active lifestyle brand by the same name, which he launched in January.

“WHITESPACE”

Description: The federal filing relays the mark statement “consists of standard characters, without claim to any particular font style, size, or color.”
What it’s for: “Downloadable virtual goods for use in interactive computerized artificial environments, namely goggles for sports, snow goggles, fanny packs, backpacks, luggage, shirts, t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, gloves, snowboard gloves, jackets, snowboard jackets, pants, snowboard trousers, beanies, socks, anoraks, pullovers,” as well as tangible lifestyle and snowboard clothing. The filing specifies “Recorded virtual goods for use in interactive computerized artificial environments” and “Online non-downloadable virtual goods for use in interactive computerized artificial environments.”

White arrived in Beijing for his fifth and final Olympics toting a Louis Vuitton luggage set customized for him by the late Virgil Abloh:

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A post shared by WHITESPACE (@whitespace_create)

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A post shared by Shaun White (@shaunwhite)

Inside the LV set was the WHITESPACE snowboard that the three-time gold medalist used for his final ride — the men’s snowboard halfpipe final, where he placed fourth:

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A post shared by Shaun White (@shaunwhite)

Metaverse aside for a moment, WHITESPACE has a line of snowboards available for pre-order here.

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US Olympic Gold Medalists Are Not Paid Nearly Enough

Shlomo Sprung — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 15:01:00 +0000

The amount of money the United States pays its Olympians for this monumental achievement is downright shameful, says Boardroom’s Shlomo Sprung.

As the Winter Olympics continue in Beijing, the world’s top athletes fight for gold on the planet’s grandest stage.

Most of the athletes have worked their entire lives for this moment — to compete for a gold medal and a memory they’ll never forget, and for the whole world to look on in awe. For most, this is the dream, the pinnacle, and the highlight of their lives.

And the amount of money the United States pays its Olympians for their monumental achievements is downright shameful.

Multiple reports indicate that the U.S. Olympic Committee, in addition to grants and benefits like health insurance, pay American athletes just $37,500 for winning a gold medal, $21,500 for a silver, and $15,000 for a bronze.

Our CJ McMahon delved into how much a gold medal is worth back in August.

Which countries pay the most to their gold-winning Olympians? @thebrettknight reached out to all 91 countries and heard back from more than a third. Super interesting. @Beijing2022 @NBCOlympics via @forbes https://t.co/DDOLZBGMqS
— Luisa Kroll (@luisakroll) February 4, 2022

To put that dismal sum into perspective, here’s how much cash other regions reportedly pay their champions for winning gold (h/t Forbes):

Hong Kong: $642,000
Turkey: $380,000
Malaysia: $238,000
Italy: $201,000
Cyprus: $168,000
Latvia: $159,000
Hungary: $156,000
Bulgaria, Lithuania: $143,000
Kosovo, Estonia: $123,000
Czech Republic: $110,000
Slovenia: $84,000
Romania: $78,000
France: $73,000
Finland, Portugal, Slovakia: $56,000
Chile: $54,000
South Korea: $52,000
Switzerland: $43,000

Though the Olympics are receding in relevance in America, with U.S. TV ratings down 50% from the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang, the profit made off Olympic athletes is still staggering. Despite it being the lowest-rated Olympics in the Nielsen era, NBC reported $1.76 billion in revenue for last year’s 2020 Tokyo Games — making a handsome profit off the $1.45 billion rights fee, even if you factor in additional production costs.

And yet, the USOC decides to pay its top athletes next to nothing?

The fleeting feel-good nature of Lindsey Jacobellis and Nick Baumgartner becoming the oldest pair to win gold in the debut final of mixed team snowboard cross, for example, fades considerably with the knowledge that their compensation is far less than they deserve.

The U.S. Census Bureau reported a median household income of $67,521 in 2020, well above what our gold medalists are paid. And with inflation at its highest rates in 40 years, that paltry sum is even more glaring.

Some athletes, such as Chloe Kim, will boost their income from winning gold with lucrative sponsorship opportunities, but not every Olympian is so fortunate. NBC and sponsors make so much money off of these athletes’ sacrifices that the way they’re paid for achieving world-class excellence seems exploitative in a similar vein to how the NCAA exploited and, in some ways, continues to exploit student-athletes.

The easy solution is to just pay our Olympic heroes more. These are the people children across the country and around the world will idolize. Their achievements will be transformed into posters plastered on kids’ walls, celebrated and feted in their hometowns, and promoted on TV or social media.

It’s a shame that America’s champions aren’t paid nearly what they’re worth.

It’s a greater shame that this is all too preventable and even more predictable.

The post US Olympic Gold Medalists Are Not Paid Nearly Enough appeared first on Boardroom.

Chloe Kim: From Phenom to Advocate

Michael Ehrlich — Tue, 08 Feb 2022 15:37:57 +0000

At just 21 years old, Chloe Kim is already the best at her craft, the face of snowboarding, and one of the most recognizable Olympians in the world. But heading into her second Games, the reigning halfpipe gold medalist is competing as something bigger: a mental health advocate.

Kim flew into the snowboarding spotlight at a young age, as the only athlete in X Games history to win three gold medals before the age of 16. She would have been an Olympian at 13 as well, if the Games didn’t have an age requirement. But at 17 in PyeongChang, she made more history as the youngest woman to win an Olympic snowboarding gold, officially placing her on the global stage as a bonafide superstar.

Instagram followers: 723K
Twitter followers: 264K
Key endorsements: Grubhub, Monster Energy, Nike, Oakley, Roxy, SKIMS, Toyota
Top Achievements: Olympic gold medal, six X Games gold medals, two World Championships

But with global superstardom — complete with her own Barbie doll, Corn Flakes box, and an appearance on “The Masked Singer” — comes immense pressure, expectations of continued success, a lack of privacy, and constant social media harassment. The physical and emotional comedown from Kim’s historic PyeongChang Games even led to her throwing her gold medal in the trash at one point.

In an open and honest pre-Olympics TIME Magazine cover story, Kim reflected on her challenges after winning gold four years ago and her mental health journey since.

“I hated life,” Kim shared with TIME, further detailing what it was like to come home, not be able to go about her daily life, and endure the toll of always having to be “on.”

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A post shared by Chloe Kim (@chloekim)

“It makes you angry,” Kim continued in the piece. “I just wanted a day where I was left alone. And it’s impossible. And I appreciate that everyone loves and supports me, but I just wish people could understand what I was going through up to that point. Everyone was like, ‘I just met her, and she’s such a bitch.’ I’m not a bitch. I just had the most exhausting two months of my life, and the minute I get home I’m getting hassled. I just want to get my f-cking ham and cheese sandwich and go.”

Managing through feelings of depression and burnout, Kim took a 22-month break from snowboarding — one that some thought would be an early retirement — to further recover from an ankle injury and attend college, enrolling at Princeton after being homeschooled for most of her childhood. Unfortunately, she faced similar challenges with her lack of privacy and being perceived as a celebrity on campus, ultimately leading her to therapy as the pandemic put a strain on her college experience.

As she got closer to Beijing, though, Kim’s body and mind were aligned on her next golden achievement.

Naturally, she won her first competition back after almost two years, earning her sixth X Games halfpipe title. But as she quickly returned to her winning ways and with Beijing on the horizon, issues outside of sports challenged her in ways no halfpipe could.

While hate crimes targeting Asian Americans in the US made headlines in 2021, Kim, a first-generation Korean American, struggled with how to use her immense platform to take a stand. After much consideration, she spoke out in a big way, sharing her own experiences with racism growing up on the snowboarding tour and posting some of the negative messages she still receives on social media today. She continued to be open about her own mental health and how these crimes and the social media abuse added to her anxiety and even made her feel unsafe when she was out in public.

Ahead of Beijing, as she worked on her mind as much as her body, Kim continued to be transparent about her journey, hoping to inspire others as Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka set examples for her.

“I felt pressured to be perfect all the time, and it drained me,” Kim told SHAPE. “I was genuinely angry for a while because I was so concerned about what everyone else would think about me. It became toxic. That’s when I realized, I need to take better care of myself, and if I don’t want to do something, I can’t force myself to do it. It was very empowering for me, feeling like I finally had more control over my life. Right now I’m in a much better place.”

Kim will have the whole world watching while she attempts to make even more history as the first woman to repeat in the halfpipe, but no matter how she fares in Beijing, her journey over the last four years has given her the confidence to live and compete as her true self.

The women’s halfpipe qualifying round airs in primetime on NBC on Feb. 8.

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Maame Biney: At the Speed of History

Michael Ehrlich — Sun, 06 Feb 2022 21:00:00 +0000

The first Black woman to represent Team USA in speed skating looks to continue her groundbreaking Olympic journey with a short track medal in Beijing.

If you could invest in any US Olympian, the athlete with perhaps the biggest opportunity to become a superstar household name this month is short track speedskater Maame Biney.

The 22-year-old is making her second appearance at the Winter Games after a historic debut in 2018 at Pyeonchang, where she became the first Black woman and youngest skater overall to compete for Team USA in speed skating.

Although she didn’t medal in Pyeongchang, her bubbly laugh, beaming smile, and infectious energy made her a fan (and media) favorite. Four years later, Biney is faster, stronger, and more mentally prepared for the global platform, now with a medal on her mind.

Who is Maame Biney?

Instagram followers: 7,275
Twitter followers: 28.1K
Key endorsements: Delta, Panasonic, Procter & Gamble, Raising Cane’s, Red Bull, SKIMS, Tempo
Top Achievements: World Junior Championship in the 500 meters, US National titles in the 500m, 1,000m, and 1,500m

Biney’s journey to the Olympic stage has big-screen potential. She was born in Ghana and immigrated to the Washington, DC area at the age of five, taking up figure skating to connect with her new community. After a year on the ice, Biney’s coach thought she was “too fast” and suggested she try speed skating instead.

Growing up combining her new sport with taekwondo competition, Biney harnessed her athleticism, flexibility, power, and speed to set herself apart on the ice and quickly dominate the junior skating scene.

But as with most sports, the mental aspect of speed skating is something not discussed as much as the physical grind. After her historic Olympic debut, Biney actually considered hanging up her skates at just 18 years of age as both the physical and emotional toll of competition and injury recovery were catching up to her. The spotlight and pressure of Pyeongchang took a toll on her now-famous smile.

“I didn’t know how to deal with it and I didn’t have that the resources at that time to really maneuver what I was feeling,” Biney shared with Olympics.com, “At that point, it was just very much, ‘Oh, she only smiles , she’s so happy all the time, and very energetic,’ which I am, but I also have this side of me where I just wanted to go home and sleep and not do anything and just stay in my bed all day.”

After the Games, a renewed priority and focus on her mental health and happiness — through meditation, sleep, therapy, and harnessing her aggressive and confident on-ice alter ego, “Anna Digger”– allowed her to do what she does best: have fun and skate fast.

Continuing her studies as a psychology major at the University of Utah, Biney became the first US woman to win a World Junior Championship in the 500, and in 2021, earned US National titles in the 500, 1,000, and 1,500 meters, claiming the women’s overall championship and building serious momentum ahead of Beijing.

With her on-ice success and personality now on full display to the world, major brands wanted to be a part of her journey. Partnerships with the likes of Red Bull, Delta, and Tempo, among many others continued to build her portfolio but perhaps the most impactful campaign was starring in Team USA’s official loungewear line launch with Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS brand, gracing the mogul’s Instagram account (and its 284 million followers).

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But as she dominated the Trials and got closer to returning to the Olympics, Biney had a clear focus on making more history this time around, earning the U.S. women’s team their first short track medal since 2010.

Biney began her race to the podium in short track speedskating this weekend. The three medal finals she’s in the hunt for are as follows:

500m final: Monday, Feb. 7 @ 6:30 a.m. ET
1000m final: Friday, Feb. 11 @ 6 a.m ET
1500m final: Wednesday, Feb. 16, time TBD

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Natalie Geisenberger: The Luge GOAT on the Brink of Olympic History

Michael Ehrlich — Sun, 06 Feb 2022 11:00:00 +0000

The German luge legend has the opportunity to cement her legacy further in Beijing with a three-peat of gold medals.

With Tom Brady officially announcing his retirement, the GOAT conversation is top of mind and across your Twitter timeline. Is the legendary quarterback in fact the greatest NFL player of all time? And more broadly, what even constitutes being considered a GOAT in your sport?

Believe it or not, Merriam-Webster actually includes their own definition, declaring GOAT as “the greatest of all time: the most accomplished and successful individual in the history of a particular sport or category of performance or activity.”

Using this interpretation, the 2022 Winter Olympics will feature a GOAT of their own, but not an expected name or a familiar face featured in NBC marketing promoting coverage of the Games.

Germany’s Natalie Geisenberger is already the most accomplished female luger ever — earning four Olympic gold medals and 50 World Cup singles wins in her illustrious career, both records — but she has the opportunity to further cement her legacy in Beijing.

The two-time defending gold medalist in singles and team relay could make history this month with a double golden three-peat, something that’s never been done in women’s luge and only matched by German luge compatriot Georg Hackl.

The Natalie Geisenberger Brand

Home town: Munich, Germany
Club: RRT Miesbach
Instagram followers: 7,710
Key endorsements: Alphazoo, Bioteaque Tea Manufactory, ICAROS Fitness & Gaming, Paedi Protect

Career Achievements & Milestones

4 Olympic gold medals (No. 1 all-time)
9 FIL World Luge Championships gold medals (No. 1 all-time)
6 FIL European Luge Championships gold medals (No. 1 all-time)
10 Luge World Cup titles (No. 1 all-time)

A trainee police officer in Germany, Geisenberger had the distinct honor of presenting the DFB-Pokal trophy to the field for a final match between rival soccer clubs Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

Geisenberger’s legend has continued to grow throughout her career but went to new heights after her repeat double-gold performance in 2018 at the Pyeongchang Games. She continued her winning ways with multiple gold medals at the 2019 World Championships only to achieve her greatest accomplishment next; becoming a mom for the first time.

She took the 2019-20 season off to have a son, Leo, who was born in May of 2020. She returned to competition a few months later in Serena Williams or Allyson Felix-esque fashion, taking second place in the first eight World Cup races of the 2020-21 season — and ultimately winning the World Cup overall title at the end of the campaign.

Natalie Geisenberger is one of the most decorated female athletes in her sport and completed another gold medal double at PyeongChang 2018. #StrongerTogether @FIL_Luge pic.twitter.com/9xZgvxlXf0
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) January 15, 2022

This return alone would earn her GOAT status. But like Williams and Felix, Geisenberger had plenty left in the tank.

At one point leading up to the Games though, there was a chance Geisenberger might actually boycott the opportunity to make history in Beijing. During a training trip to China in November, she was outspoken with her dissatisfaction regarding the way she saw athletes treated by Chinese officials, the strict COVID-19 protocols (even with her daily negative tests), and challenging training conditions.

However, the opportunity to re-write the Olympic history books and continue Germany’s dominance in luge was too important to pass up.

A favorite to accomplish the historic double three-peat, Geisenberger begins her quest to confirm her luge GOAT status on Feb. 7 when the women’s singles competition kicks off.

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Nathan Chen: The Quad King’s Reign

Michael Ehrlich — Fri, 04 Feb 2022 15:09:11 +0000

Nathan Chen looks to continue his historic momentum to earn his first individual Olympic medal in figure skating.

As U.S. figure skater Nathan Chen embarks on his second Winter Olympics, the 22-year-old has one thing on his mind: redemption.

One of the most successful figure skaters in U.S. history, Chen has since recovered from a challenging 2018 Games in Pyeongchang where he finished fifth in individual competition and earned a bronze in the team event. Since then, he’s dominated the global skating scene, winning three straight World Championships (2020 was cancelled due to COVID-19) and adding his sixth consecutive U.S. national title to become the first American man to accomplish this in 70 years.

With unprecedented momentum heading into the Beijing Games, wins in 17 of his last 18 events, and NBC positioning him front-and-center in their marketing as one of the marquee athletes to watch, Chen has the opportunity to take his legacy and personal brand to new heights.

“Nathan Chen is Our Jordan”

Instagram followers: 381K
Twitter followers: 90K
Key endorsements: Bridgestone, Grubhub, Nike, Panasonic, Toyota, Wells Fargo
Achievements: Two-time Olympian, three-time World Champion, six-time U.S. Champion

NBC is all-in on Chen’s global appeal, featuring him in its cross-promotion with Universal for the upcoming Jurassic World blockbuster film. Chen stars alongside the iconic dinosaurs of the franchise in his own commercial plus a shared spot with fellow Olympians Shaun White and Mikaela Shiffrin that premiered during the Opening Ceremony broadcast.

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The high-flying unique skating style of “The Quad King,” as he is affectionately known (not for his thighs, rather his world-famous quadruple jumps), sets him apart from the competition, and brands have taken notice.

During Chen’s recent record-breaking U.S. Nationals performance that secured his Olympic spot, NBC analyst Johnny Weir called him the Michael Jordan of figure skating, taking into account his historic dominance, generational athleticism, global marketability, and overall impact on the sport.

“When you think of sporting legends you think of names like Tom Brady, Michael Jordan,” Weir said. “For our world, for our sport, Nathan Chen is our Jordan.”

The first and only skater to land five types of quadruple jumps in competition is a marketer’s dream, not only as an extraordinary athlete but as an accomplished musician and student majoring in statistics and data science at Yale.

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Current partnerships with Universal, Panasonic, Bridgestone, Toyota, and Grubhub line his Instagram feed, which is sure to get an uptick in traffic as new fans around the world visit when Chen takes the ice in Beijing.

But growing up in Salt Lake City and learning to skate at three years old — the same year his hometown hosted the 2002 Winter Games — Chen had dreams of becoming a hockey goalie after watching his brothers on the ice. Instead of strapping on goalie pads, though, Chen’s mom gave him figure skates, sending him down a new path on the ice that included winning his first national skating title at 10.

His fast ascent in the skating world earned him numerous records, championships, notoriety, and golden expectations. Now with one Olympics under his belt, Chen is poised to cement his legacy with his first individual medal.

One of the most highly anticipated events of the Winter Olympics, Chen will compete in the men’s short program on Feb. 7 and in the free skate on Feb. 9.

No matter what happens on the ice in Beijing, The Quad King will be must-see TV.

The post Nathan Chen: The Quad King’s Reign appeared first on Boardroom.

Surfing, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing Added to 2028 Olympics

Shlomo Sprung — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 03:55:39 +0000

LA has added three quintessentially west coast sports to its initial program after they made their debuts at the 2020 games.

The Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games received approval to officially add surfing, skateboarding, and sport climbing— three quintessential West Coast sports— to its initial sports program, the organization announced Wednesday.

The three sports, which were tentatively added in December, made their debuts at last year’s 2020 Games in Tokyo, but not on the initial program. They join aquatics, archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, canoe, cycling, equestrian, fencing, golf, gymnastics, handball, hockey, judo, rowing, rugby, sailing, shooting, soccer, taekwondo, tennis, table tennis, triathlon, volleyball and wrestling as confirmed sports for 2028.

“The LA28 Games have always been about bringing more freshness, youthful energy and creativity into the Olympic and Paralympic movement,” LA28 chairperson Casey Wasserman said. “Los Angeles is a place unlike any other and it will be incredible to host surfing, skateboarding, and climbing as iconic West Coast sports alongside Olympic fan favorites.”

In celebration of the sports’ official inclusion, LA28 unveiled three emblems — takes on the LA28 logo — designed by Olympians Carissa Moore, Sky Brown and Nathaniel Coleman. Brown, who won a skateboarding bronze medal in Tokyo for Great Britain, was inspired by her favorite spot at Venice Beach’s iconic skate park. Elite surfer Moore paid homage to her hometown of Honolulu with not just perfect blue waves but with the plumeria, her favorite flower. For Coleman, he balanced the geometric shapes that represent sport climbing with the green trees and mountains of his hometown, Little Cottonwood, Utah.

The official sports program, in conjunction with the International Olympic Committee, is slated to be finalized by the end of 2023.

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Oscar-winning DNEG Studio Preps to Go Public Via SPAC in $1.7B Deal

Bernadette Doykos — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 14:13:44 +0000

On Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal reported that the studio behind major Hollywood hits including The Matrix and Avengers: Endgame is positioned to go public via SPAC. The deal will be facilitated by Sports Ventures Acquisition Corp, which is set to fund DNEG with up to $400 million. With the funding, the company is looking to expand its footprint in the streaming, gaming, and metaverse spaces and becomes the first publicly-traded company to focus exclusively on visual effects and animation.

Nets Get Set to Hoop in the Metaverse with Patent Filings

The Brooklyn Nets have filed three separate applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for the trademark “Netaverse,” according to trademark attorney Josh Gerben of Gerben Intellectual Property. The trademarks encompass game coverage, merchandise, and technology. It is believed that the Nets are the first major professional sports team to indicate interest in joining the metaverse on their own.

LaMelo Ball Unveils Newest Venture, MB1 Gaming

LaMelo Ball is no stranger to forging his own path. Last year’s Rookie of the Year announced on Monday that he is teaming up with esports tournament platform One Up to launch esports brand MB1 Gaming. Ball recently released his PE shoe in partnership with Puma. MB1 Gaming will host esports tournaments on One Up’s platform, starting with an NBA 2K tournament in February. Appropriately, Puma will be the sponsor.

Overtime Links with Billionaire Boys Club for Exclusive Apparel Drop

Sports and lifestyle just forged an all-new team-up in the form of a limited-edition apparel collection. Overtime and the Pharrell-founded Billionaire Boys Club unveiled the project, which includes custom Overtime Elite player uniforms, in an official announcement Monday. OTE players will debut the special uniforms during games scheduled for Friday, Feb. 4 and Saturday, Feb. 5 at their home campus in Atlanta. The collection will be highlighted in a new marketing campaign featuring Overtime Elite players and Los Angeles rapper BLXST.

BIG3 Basketball League Re-ups Deal with Monster Energy Drink

Monster Energy and BIG3 tipped off their partnership last season with a wild range of activations, which included everything from in-game BMX riders and breakdancers to multiple ad spots. And they announced on Tuesday that they are running it back for a second season. The 3-on-3 basketball league’s founder, Ice Cube, said in a statement that the partnership allows Big3 to connect with its fans in direct and exciting ways.

Lamborghini Taps Swiss Artist Fabian Oefner for Inaugural NFTs

The time has come when you may finally be able to own a Lamborghini. The pinnacle brand in luxury vehicles revealed that it is working on a set of NFTs and that they have brought in Swiss artist Fabian Oefner to engineer the design. Oefner is well-known for his art that “explores the boundaries between time, space, and reality.” Details continue to evolve, but the collection will include five space-themed collectibles, which will be unlocked by “Space Keys.”

Bored Ape Yacht Club Gets Two New Members in Kevin Hart and Paris Hilton

The Bored Ape Yacht Club just got two new all-star members. On Monday, comedian Kevin Hart revealed that he purchased #9258, which has a multi-colored whirly hat and wears a yellow shirt – for 79.5 Eth ($200,041). Similarly, Paris Hilton joined fellow Bored Ape owner Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show, where she debuted her purchase of #1294.

Athletes Unlimited Tips off Partnership with Ari Chambers and HighlightHER

Athletes Unlimited is set to launch its inaugural season on Wednesday, where it will debut an innovative format that will not have set teams. And on Monday, the league announced an exclusive partnership with Ari Chambers and HighlightHER. The partnership includes content & social collabs — kicking off with a new long-form series where she will lead roundtable discussions with AU athletes.

Tyler, The Creator’s Golf Wang Drops New Collection and Campaign Featuring Jordan Clarkson

Tyler, the Creator is a man of many talents. The rapper has most recently been seen riding a bike on the Louis Vuitton stage for its men’s show, for which he curated the string soundtrack. His line, Golf Wang, debuted the “CHAMPIONSHIP Collection.” Modeled by Utah Jazz guard, Jordan Clarkson, the set includes basketball jerseys, shorts, a varsity jacket, a cream-colored sweatsuit, and a gold signet ring featuring the GOLF league logo.

NBC Universal Teams up with TikTok for Winter Olympic Coverage

The Winter Olympics are nearly here. While few fans will be able to be in the stands for the live events, people around the globe will have access to various types of on-the-ground content due to a new partnership between NBC Universal and streaming platform Tik Tok. As part of the agreement, there will be daily content and a three-part livestream series.

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X Games: The State of Action Sports’ Extreme Dream

Ian Stonebrook — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 20:10:52 +0000

As the 2022 Winter X Games begin in Aspen, news of the action sports juggernaut’s sale begs intriguing questions about its future when considering its past.

It’s June in Austin, Texas and Kanye West is about to take the stage.

As the sun sets and the temperature dips beneath 90, Virgil Abloh eyes the modified Yeezus stage set in a pair of Golden Goose sneakers, making sure the mountain is perfectly placed in the aftermath of a memorable Mac Miller set.

No, this is not Austin City Limits or South by Southwest. Rather, this is the Summer X Games Festival held at Austin’s then-new Circuit of the Americas race track.

In 2014, the extreme sports spectacular relocated its summer event to Austin, Texas in what seemed like a perfect play. Moving the X Games to an emerging city with a rich history of embracing the alternative and celebrating live music, the repackaged X Games Festival was positioned as a multi-day event that showcased the biggest names in skateboarding, BMX, entertainment, and beyond.

However, the run of this relocation was short-lived.

Austin, a city with much of its charm arising from its centralized layout, had built its Formula 1 track miles away from downtown proper near its international airport. While a 40-minute commute to a live event is nothing new in major metropolitan cities like Los Angeles or New York, it’s an eternity for the capital of Texas and a barrier to entry for many.

Just the same, a packed outdoor event set on a race track in the early months of summer was far hotter than some could handle. Even with 160,000 fans in attendance that June in Austin, one had to wonder: would the bulk of the fans return the next year for Nyjah Huston, or were they simply there for Kanye?

In only a few years, the Summer X Games switched cities to the cooler climate of Minneapolis, proving yet another unexpected pivot for the continuously evolving event predicated on the wild, bold and unexpected.

The Rise of X

Over the course of its rich history, the X Games have changed states.

Both literally and metaphorically.

Since originating in 1995, the extreme sporting showcase has hosted a summer component annually — the Winter X Games began two years later — first in Rhode Island and Vermont before venturing up and down the coast of California, into the mountains of Aspen, and even overseas in Sydney and Shanghai.

The international appeal of sports like skateboarding, surfing, and snowboarding increased the reach and frequency of the X Games in the ’00s and ’10s. COVID-19 put up a damper on things in 2020 and ’21, but activities look to pick back up with the 2022 Winter X Games, which begin Friday in Aspen with coverage on ESPN and ABC. Right on its heels, the Summer X Games are currently scheduled to go down in Japan this April.

Both events run effectively parallel to the Olympic Games, which have increasingly come to embrace extreme sports in their winter and summer forms.

Scenes from X Games II in Rhode Island, 1996 (Mark Peterson/Corbis via Getty Images)

The X Games itself were the brainchild of management at ESPN, first ideated in 1993 as an international event devoted to action sports. By 1995 it was off the ground, hosting everything from skateboarding to bungy jumping with advertising backers such as Nike, Advil, Taco Bell, and Mountain Dew on board.

Between an attendance of 198,000 spectators and a slew of spending sponsors, ESPN quickly decided to make the X Games an annual event, opting in relatively short order to add Winter X to the equation as well.

This. Is. #XGames. pic.twitter.com/ieCT1uhsXC
— X Games (@XGames) January 21, 2022

Heading into the new millennium, year-over-year attendance continued to increase. By 2001, ESPN was leaning into lifestyle and convergence culture by hosting the Action Sports and Music Awards in Los Angeles while also partnering with The Mills Corporation for a licensing agreement to build X Games Skateparks across the country.

Throughout the 2000s, the X Games spread their reach into film, theme parks, and video games. Growth in attendance and events in new markets continued, with the 2009 summer event seeing 112,000 fans in attendance and TV viewership of almost 44 million across ABC and ESPN networks.

Over the course of the 2010s, the X Games came to consider growth on emerging social media platforms and YouTube views as their most important metrics while famously changing locations for their summer celebration. While this was clearly where the eyeballs were going, some wondered if the event was losing its luster.

In January 2021, reports surfaced that ESPN owner Disney was shopping around the X Games franchise. According to The Information and Forbes, two scenarios pointed to Mickey Mouse either selling the broadcast rights to the X Games while continuing to handle production or selling the IP attached to the event.

“The Olympics has historically provided a boost to X Games’ digital audience,” Michelle Bruton wrote for Forbes in 2021. “With the Beijing 2022 Games set for next January, a potential buyer for the franchise may keep that in mind. “

Shaun White after winning the gold medal in the Men’s Snowboard Superpipe at Winter X Games 14 in Aspen, Colorado, 2010 (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Early estimates suggested a deal worth $100 million for the broadcast rights, while the IP sale was said to net around $50 million.

By the end of 2021, the much-anticipated X Games sale was yet to go down, with media-savvy investor Sahil Bloom making waves by announcing the idea of forming a DAO to purchase the extreme sports spectacular.

While Web3 taking over the legacy ESPN event was exciting, a new suitor quickly came in.

2022 & Beyond

As alluded by Forbes’ Bruton in 2021, the traction tied to the 2022 Winter Olympics timed out perfectly with the eventual acquisition of the X Games.

In news first broken by Sportico, an investment group led by The Najafi Companies (TNC) and MSP Sports Capital signed a letter of intent to purchase the X Games in January of 2022.

BREAKING: Disney/ESPN set to unload X Games (X Games Aspen 2022 will take place this weekend).

An investment group led by The Najafi Companies and MSP Sports Capital has signed a letter of intent to purchase the action sports brand. cc: @SahilBloom https://t.co/1kfIxoj7kc
— JohnWallStreet (@HowieLongShort) January 21, 2022

Both firms are founded by Jahm Najafi, vice-chair of the Phoenix Suns, sharing a common interest in the business of sports. TNC specifically brings a background of media, tech, and e-commerce experience, all boding well for the event that’s since touched the worlds of film, apparel, video games, and more.

While adjacent revenue streams have always been in play for the X Games, it’s with the streaming rights that revenue is likely most concerned in this sale.

With ESPN and other cable giants taking a hit amidst the mass migration to streaming services, experts expect the X Games to live larger on YouTube and social platforms in regard to viewership via a younger demographic, somewhat similarly to the NBA.

How this year’s Winter X Games performs on streaming and social may not be the best indicator given that the deal won’t be done by the start date. Moreover, the importance assigned to February’s 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing will likely see big names such as Chloe Kim and Shaun White sitting out of Aspen X Games activities.

Still, the extreme sports spectacular has the ability to penetrate new platforms in new ways. Famously, ESPN introduced drone coverage to the event in 2015. With TNC and MSP acquiring the X Games in a world of Oculus and metaversal immersion, the options are endless for how fans can consume both winter and summer events.

.@ChloeKim graces the latest cover of @TIME.

The 6x @XGames gold-medalist is the youngest woman to win an Olympic snowboarding (17 years old).

She is the World, Olympic, Youth Olympic, and X Games champ in the halfpipe and the first to win the title at all four major events. pic.twitter.com/5fbltmrzWN
— Boardroom (@boardroom) January 19, 2022

Just the same, the X Games are less tied to the ‘when’ component. Unlike playoff games or tournaments tied to major team sports, the X Games loses little cache when re-aired or repurposed. The fluidity of the X Games makes it more malleable than its peers, but also less of a must-watch in the moment event.

At this time, the 2022 Summer X Games are set to take place in Chiba, Japan in April. Coming off the heels of skateboarding’s Olympic debut in 2021 in Tokyo, one has to wonder just what kind of spike we’re in for — or not — at the Summer X Games.

From a cultural perspective, it’s tough to assess just how popular skateboarding is since its rampant rise in the US at the turn of the millennium. Understandably, the X Games played a major part in the sport’s mainstream crossover. However, a universally visible figurehead like Tony Hawk in that same era raised the tide for all ships aligned with extreme sports at that time.

One could argue that the category as a whole does not have that same kind of elite-tier box office star.

Perhaps the new owners of the X Games will follow the F1 formula of creating engagement and interest through a Netflix series, selling the storylines and personalities of extreme athletes to create a connection with a mass audience rather just relying on their inordinate level of talent and guts.

Regardless, it appears the X Games are finally entering their post-ESPN era. What’s next will almost undoubtedly be digital, but just how dynamically they extend their appeal outside the world of sports remains to be seen.

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Lindsey Vonn: Always Rising

Sam Dunn — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 18:04:00 +0000

The legendary skier, Olympic gold medalist, and entrepreneur joins “Boardroom Book Club” to go inside her new memoir, Rise.

Whether you’re the downhill, super-G, slalom, giant slalom, or super combined, Lindsey Vonn has dominated you.

She owns four Alpine Ski World Cup overall championships — tied for the all-time best mark among women. Her 82 total World Cup race victories stand alone at the top of the record books. She has three Winter Olympics medals, including a downhill gold in 2010.

But her story didn’t end when she retired from ski racing in 2019 — she merely turned the page.

On the latest episode of “Boardroom Book Club,” the winter sports icon spoke with us about the journey that brought her to writing her new memoir, Rise, how she’s evolved as a competitor, and coming into her own as an advocate for mental health.

SAM DUNN: Why is now the right time to release a memoir?

LINDSEY VONN: I retired from ski racing and I think it was a great time for me to reflect on my career and the experiences that I had. The ups and the downs, what I was able to overcome. In the moment, you don’t often reflect on what you’ve achieved and what you’ve gone through. In retirement, I’ve had a lot more time to reflect.

I think it was also a good process for me to be able to move past ski racing. To put kind of that part of my life behind me in a lot of ways.

SD: I can’t imagine that your competitive fire suddenly dissipates when you stop racing professionally. How do you find ways to channel it now?

LV: It’s been hard. I’m always competitive, so it’s hard to really tame that.

I don’t know if there is really such a thing as taming your competitiveness, but I think I’ve been able to funnel that into business instead of skiing. And it’s not the same, obviously, [but] I think that I get a lot of joy out of working out. That’s kind of where I get my physical competitiveness out of the way. And for some reason, fitness for me is more mental than anything. I need that combination of mental and physical.

And then in business, I’m very driven and I’ve used my competitiveness to my advantage in that regard. I’m never one to be sitting around; I’m always looking for the next project. ‘What more can I do?’ Networking and learning and all these new experiences. So I’ve put all that competitiveness to use — but it’s definitely not the same as racing down a mountain at 85 miles an hour. I’ll tell you that.

SD: Knowing that you’ve become an important voice for mental health, what’s your relationship like with fame?

LV: The spotlight is difficult, [but] it’s definitely part of the job of being a professional athlete and being on the world stage. That’s just how it goes. Everyone’s gonna have their opinion; that’s kind of what makes sports [what they are].

The other aspect of fame is being in the public eye on a personal level, and I think that is much more difficult for me to handle.

No matter how much I’ve been through, however thick my skin is now, it’s still not impenetrable. Things still hurt me, and I try as hard as I can not to engage, not to read comments, not to take offense to headlines. It’s the part of the job that you don’t necessarily expect, but are put in a position to have to deal with.

SD: How did your mental health journey start to take shape?

LV: I started talking about mental health in 2013, and that was really a personal decision. It was a time in my life when I really felt like I had to get that off my chest and start fresh and unload that. It felt really good to finally talk about it.

I really never talked about it with anyone because I felt embarrassed and ashamed. And when I did talk about it, so many people told me that it was gonna end my career and I was never gonna get sponsors and people are gonna dump me.

I did it. It was a personal decision. I didn’t really care what the outcome was professionally, but as it turns out, everyone supported me. I put it in my book because it’s a big part of my story.

Fame can put you in a lot of different positions, and oftentimes, people think that being successful equals happiness. It definitely does not do that. No matter how successful you are, you still come home to a room, and when you turn the lights off at night, you still have to be happy with who you are.

I had difficult times during injuries and being on the road by myself, and one of the reasons why I got my dog Lucy is because I needed a companion. It’s really hard to be on the road from months at a time and feel so isolated and alone. Lucy definitely helped me with that.

SD: How did Lucy come into your life?

LV: I got Lucy in Italy when I was on the road quite a few years ago now. I just got to the point where I was so lonely on the road. You’re in a hotel room by yourself and it eventually wears you down.

I found a nice family that had dogs, and Lucy was there, so I got her and really helped me so much. There really is no other love like the love of a dog.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by L I N D S E Y • V O N N (@lindseyvonn)

SD: You made a name for yourself going downhill, but your memoir is called Rise. What does that title mean to you?

LV: It’s really about picking yourself up when you fall down. I’ve had so many crashes — both on and off the mountain — and I felt like this was an appropriate title. I really hope that readers are inspired to pick themselves back up in their own personal struggles and hope that gives them confidence and empowers them to feel stronger.

SD: I can’t let you go without asking about what it’s like to work out with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who also wrote a blurb for Rise. Have you guys ever flipped over a giant tire together?

LV: I’ve never flipped tires with DJ, but I feel like that would be really fun and incredibly… I don’t know, aggressive? I should definitely bring that up. He’s such a great person and he’s always inspiring. I was really thankful that he contributed to my book [with a] blurb on the back.

He’s always kind, and sometimes I’m like, ‘ are you actually human? It’s not possible that you can be this nice of a person and be this big of a superstar. I’ll work out with him anytime that he wants. I tell him, ‘I’m not gonna do arm day with you, but I’ll do leg day any time.’

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OpenSea Smashes Monthly Record with $3.5B in NFT Transactions

Bernadette Doykos — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 14:17:58 +0000

OpenSea is off to a sprinting start to 2022. To date, the NFT marketplace has registered $3.5B in sales in January, setting a record for transactions with two weeks left to go in the month. With the total, OpenSea eclipsed its previous record of $3.42 million set in August 2021. On January 9, the site posted its busiest day in history with $261.6 million in trading volume.

Matsuyama Sinks Playoff Eagle to Secure $1.35M Purse at Sony Open

Hideki Mastuyama kicked off the year with a win at the Sony Open in Hawaii. The Japanese golfer shot 23 under par, sinking an eagle putt in the playoffs to beat American Russell Henley to secure the $1.35 million payday. Last year’s Masters champion will head to Torrey Pines next week as part of the star-studded field vying for victory at the Farmers Open.

UEFA Women’s Champions League Tickets Sell Out in Three Days

Barcelona and Real Madrid are set to face off in the Champions League quarterfinal in March, but it will be tough to come by tickets. UEFA reports that it sold 85,000 tickets in three days for the battle of the Spanish rivals which is set to take place at Camp Nou. The game will mark the second time that the Barcelona women’s team has played at the stadium, but the first time with fans.

Crypto.com Goes All in on Australian Football with $25M Deal

Crypto.com is expanding its sports portfolio down under. The cryptocurrency exchange has reportedly signed a deal with the Australian Football League to back its women’s league. Details of the deal indicate that it is worth $25 million over five years, making it the most valuable deal in the women’s league’s history. Crypto.com has assembled a deep portfolio of sports endorsements that includes Formula1, a patch deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, and naming rights for the former Staples Center among many others.

China Restricts Ticket Sales for Upcoming Olympics

We are just a few weeks out from the opening ceremonies, but Beijing officials are still monitoring the logistics of the upcoming Olympics. On Monday, they announced that ticket sales will not be made available to the public in order to defend against the current Covid-19 surge. Attendance will be limited to residents of mainland China, who can demonstrate adherence to “Covid-19 countermeasures.” The news comes as the first documented case of Omicron was recorded in Beijing on Jan. 15. The Games are set to begin on Feb. 4.

Walmart Sets Stage for Metaverse Launch

Walmart is venturing into the metaverse with plans to create its own cryptocurrency and a collection of NFTs. Josh Gerben reports that the retail giant filed for seven different trademarks at the end of 2021 that indicate its intent to create a virtual currency and more.

The Clock Strikes on Big Ben’s Career

The two-time Super Bowl champ went 29 for 44 for 215 yards and two touchdowns in what is expected to be his final game in the NFL. Roethlisberger played 18 seasons with the Steelers, and took home over $267.2 million in career earnings, making him the third highest-paid player in NFL history. The Chiefs overcame ferocious play from T.J. Watt, who forced an interception and hauled in a second, sealing the 42-21 win at Arrowhead Stadium. They will face the Bills in next week’s divisional round.

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Bill Russell Puts NBA History up for Auction in Boston

Boardroom Staff — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 15:20:57 +0000

Bill Russell, the man with more titles than anyone in NBA history, put an impressive collection of personal memorabilia up for bid Friday in Boston. The auction raised more than $5 million.

Hall of Famer Bill Russell’s Olympic gold medal, two of his NBA championship rings, and several other of his most iconic pieces of memorabilia went on the auction block in Boston on Friday. All told, the full list of items was an eye-popping time capsule of basketball history.

But don’t assume that the legendary Boston Celtics center and 11-time NBA champion gave every last thing away.

Some things are just too precious to sell to the highest bidder. Notably, a letter from former President Barack Obama was not included among the more than 400 lots that sold for more than $5 million.

“That letter has an inscription from Obama: ‘You were an inspiration,’ said David Hunt, president of Hunt Auctions, who worked with Russell for several months helping him decide what to keep and what to offer to the highest bidder when the auction takes place at the Legends Club within TD Garden, home of the Celtics.

Among the items up for sale were Russell’s gold medal from the 1956 Olympics, which sold for $587,500, his first and his 11th (and final) NBA championship rings, which sold for $705,000 and $1.1 million, respectively, five of his league MVP awards, which brought a combined $1.3 million, an honorary degree from Harvard, and a letter from Jackie Robinson alluding to a game in Lexington, Kentucky in 1961 that Russell and his teammates boycotted after he, Sam Jones, and Satch Sanders were refused service at a coffee shop prior to a scheduled game against the St. Louis Hawks.

“There are a few pictures I’ll keep for myself, but the rest I will share with the world,” Russell, 87, said in a video statement.

The gold medal won by Bill Russell with the U.S. men’s basketball team at the 1956 Melbourne, Olympics.

For collectors of sports memorabilia, this is a premier event that effectively exists in its own category — the items up for sale include everything from a golf ball with which Russell made a hole-in-one, a business card identifying him as the coach and general manager of the Seattle Supersonics, a signed photograph from Michael Jordan calling Russell a “true champion,” and letters from the likes of golfer Arnold Palmer, former president Bill Clinton, and former US Senator Ted Kennedy.

A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to MENTOR, which leads the movement to ensure young people receive much-needed support through mentoring to provide them with the best possible opportunities to thrive and strive.

An additional auction-related donation will be made to Boston Celtics United for Social Justice with a multi-focus commitment to addressing racial injustice and social inequities in the Greater Boston area.

As Russell said on the occasion:

“At this point in my life, I am happy to share a part of my personal collection with the world and proud that the auction will in part benefit MENTOR. MENTOR aims to close the mentoring gap and drive equity through quality mentoring relationships for young people. Potential is equally distributed; opportunity is not. The work that MENTOR does has a special place in my heart and I am honored to provide support in some small way. I will always cherish the memories I have accumulated over my life and career and I hope that sharing some of these items bring others the same feeling of Celtic Pride that I feel.”

Bill Russell wearing his iconic No. 6 in an NBA Finals game in 1969 (Neil Leifer /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images/Getty Images)

Also among the items are a leather-bound portfolio containing the first-ever issue of Sports Illustrated magazine from 1954, with had Eddie Mathews of the Milwaukee Braves on the cover. Other business cards include one from a production company that Russell once worked for, and another from former Celtics president and coach Red Auerbach.

Russell holds the NBA record with 11 championships, but Hunt said there are not 11 rings because the NBA did not always give a rind to the championship winner. “They won the ring, but that does not mean that they got an actual ring,” he said, noting that former Baltimore Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas was given a tea set by the NFL after winning an NFL championship in the pre-Super Bowl era.

“All athletes have different reasonings, he said. “These awards are appreciated, but the memories are what’s important,” Hunt said in explaining Russell’s motivation to sell so much memorabilia, noting that Russell also was hanging onto a Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded to him by President Obama in 2011.

“He wants to help other people as well as being iconic,” Hunt explained.

The auction begins at noon EDT Friday. And one of the most sought-after items could be the uniform Russell wore in his final game.

Bill Russell’s 1968-69 NBA championship ring, the last of his career

Hunt Auctions explained the process behind confirming the jersey’s authenticity:

“With internal research, photographic comparison, and full authentication and photo-matching, MeiGray has confirmed that Bill Russell wore the green Celtics jersey in the final game of his NBA career.

“We are delighted to have conclusively proven that this was the final jersey Mr. Russell ever wore in his incomparable NBA career,” said Barry Meisel, MeiGray’s President and Chief Operating Officer. “Such an historic NBA relic deserves absolute authenticity, and MeiGray stands behind the authenticity of this jersey 100%.”

Russell wore this jersey during a 108-106 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 7 of the 1969 NBA Finals on May 5, 1969 at the Forum in Inglewood, California. The jersey has been photo-matched from two images taken during the game, as well as to a photo of Russell and Red Auerbach sitting in front of lockers in the Celtics’ dressing room.

That victory marked Russell’s 11th and final NBA championship, as well as his second as the Celtics’ player-coach.

“Additionally, the jersey has been photo-matched to the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Philadelphia 76ers. With the jersey coming from Bill Russell’s personal collection and the photographic documentation to Game 7 of the 1969 NBA Finals (Russell’s last NBA game), it is without question one of the most significant game-used NBA jerseys to have ever been offered to the public,” Meisel said.

Highlighted items from the Bill Russell collection include, with prices according to Hunt Auctions:

1956 US men’s basketball Olympic gold medal (Estimate price upon Request)
1969 Boston Celtics NBA Finals Game 7 professional model jersey (Est. upon Request)
1957-58 NBA MVP award (Est. $100,000-$300,000)
1961-62 NBA MVP award (Est. $100,000-$300,000)
1962-63 NBA MVP award (Est. $100,000-$300,000)
1964-65 NBA MVP award (Est. $100,000-$300,000)
1957 Boston Celtics NBA championship ring — first title (Est. upon Request)
1969 Boston Celtics NBA championship ring — 11^th and final title (Est. $200,000-$400,000)
NBA 50 Greatest Players ring (Est. $50,000-$100,000)
Boston Celtics (11) Championships NBA presentational ring (Est. $150,000-$300,000)
1964 USA State Department NBA Tour Professional Model Jersey (Est. $100,000-$200,000)
1968 20,000^th rebound presentational game basketball (Est. $50,000-$100,000)
1964 10,000^th point presentational game basketball (Est. $50,000-$100,000)
Boston Celtics Professional Model Jacket, 1960s (Est. $50,000-$100,000)
Russell’s Personal 1957 Topps Rookie card #77, PSA 7 (Est. $75,000-$125,000)
1961 Lexington Boycott Game scrapbook page with Jackie Robinson letter (Est. $25,000-$50,000)
1964-65 Boston Celtics NBA championship trophy (Est. $150,000-$300,000)

The post Bill Russell Puts NBA History up for Auction in Boston appeared first on Boardroom.

Cavinder Twins, Gable Steveson Star in Champs Sports x Eastbay Holiday Campaign

Shlomo Sprung — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 14:59:00 +0000

The college superstars are ramping up their NIL partnership with the two apparel brands just in time for December.

Champs Sports and Eastbay announced that their 2021 “We Know Game” holiday campaign will be fronted by Olympic gold medal-winning wrestler Gable Steveson of the University of Minnesota and star Fresno State basketball players (and twin sisters) Haley and Hanna Cavinder.

The two brands, now united under the Foot Locker banner, are celebrating modern young athletes as they navigate their careers in this new name, image, and likeness era in college sports while highlighting the best footwear, apparel, and accessories of the holiday season.

After winning freestyle wrestling gold in Tokyo in dramatic fashion back in August, the 21-year-old Golden Gopher signed an NIL deal with WWE — the first ever of its kind — to join the roster of its Raw brand.

Haley and Hanna, 20, star for Fresno State and boast millions of social media followers across TikTok and Instagram. Haley was the 2021 Mountain West Player of the Year, while Hanna made the All-Mountain West Team for the second straight season. When NIL became legal on July 1, the twins were among the first to sign deals, partnering with Boost Mobile, and Six Star Pro Nutrition.

They even got their own billboard in Times Square celebrating the former.

“Champs Sports and Eastbay have had a long legacy of supporting young athletes,” said Guy Harkless, Champs Sports and Eastbay’s vice president and general manager. “This year’s holiday campaign celebrates the young, modern athlete as they navigate their careers in the wake of the new NIL rules. Our brand mission and mantra is geared around the lens of the athlete, and it’s important to empower their unique voices and support them on their journey, as we will continue to do so for years to come.”

Haley Cavinder
Gable Steveson
Hanna Cavinder

The campaign will also star nine-year-old football star Rudolph “Blaze” Ingram, a Florida-based athlete and social media star dubbed “the fastest kid on the planet.”

Last month, Eastbay and Champs Sports partnered with LeBron James’ and Maverick Carter’s Uninterrupted network on a “More Than An Athlete” apparel line and a “More Than An Athlete Hotline: Varsity Edition” nine-episode video series. The first episode focused on NIL, aligning well with the company’s robust holiday campaign.

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Unvaccinated NBA Players Who Miss Games Won’t Get Paid

Chuck McMahon — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 14:09:12 +0000

NBA spokesman Mike Bass announced Wednesday that players who miss games due to their decision to forego the COVID vaccination will not be paid. For some of the game’s highest-paid players, this could amount to up to $250,000 per game. As of reporting, over 90% of the league’s athletes were vaccinated.

Cards Win Streak Ends at 17

The St. Louis Cardinals saw their 17-game winning streak come to an end Wednesday night following a 4-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. The streak was the longest in the bigs since Cleveland won 22 straight in 2017.

NCAA to Use March Madness Branding for Women’s Tourney

The NCAA announced Wednesday it will use March Madness in all marketing and branding for the Women’s basketball tournament starting this season. The use of the phrase “March Madness,” which has been synonymous with the men’s tournament for years, was recommended in an external review of gender equity issues of the tournaments released over the summer.

Ohtani Shut Down from Pitching for Rest of Season

Los Angeles Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani will miss his next scheduled start in Sunday’s season finale against the surging Seattle Mariners, manager Joe Maddon announced Wednesday. Ohtani, who is in the running for AL MVP, will continue to hit this week in hopes of adding to his impressive offensive numbers that include a .960 OPS, 45 home runs, and 26 stolen bases.

Chris Colinsworth’s Pro Football Focus Receives $50M Investment from Silver Lake

The global investment firm has announced that it will invest $50 million in PFF to help the data and analytics company as they seek to extend their services beyond football, starting with soccer. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the investment bumps PFF over a nine-figure valuation, however specific details are still unknown at this time.

Winter Olympics to Ban Foreign Fans

The International Olympic Committee decided that spectators from mainland China will be able to attend the upcoming Winter Games in Beijing. The news comes on the back of a recent decision by the IOC to require all athletes to be vaccinated to compete or be subject to a 21-day quarantine.

Benson Reveals Long Term Plans to Keep Saints, Pels in NOLA

New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson revealed Wednesday her succession plans for both teams upon her passing. Benson, whose husband Tom Benson owned both teams prior to his death, said the long-term plan is to sell the teams but to keep them in New Orleans and distribute the proceeds of the sale to charity.

LaMelo Ball Launches Scholarship Program

Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball has announced that he will fund the four-year tuition for one lucky student who elects to study Sports Management or Sports Communication & Marketing at the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports and Entertainment at Long Island University. All three of the Ball brothers are represented by Roc Nation Sports.

WWE Tag Teams with MLB for Signature Belt Series

Starting next season, the WWE will be moving out of the ring and onto the diamond, as they announce a special partnership with the MLB to create custom championship belts with team logos. In addition, as part of the WWE’s first major partnership with a professional sports league, they will create belts for key events, including the Home Run Derby and World Series.

Olympian Pleads Guilty to Capitol Riot

Klete Keller, a three-time Olympian, pleaded guilty on Wednesday in association with his presence at the Jan. 6 riots at the US Capitol. Although the swimmer was charged with seven counts, his plea addressed only one felony count of obstructing an official proceeding before Congress, for which he could receive up to 20 years in prison.

Genius Works NFL Data for Major Deal with Entain and BetMGM

The sports data company will leverage its access to boundless NFL data in their new partnership with Entain and BetMGM, Sportico’s Eben Novy-Williams reports. This is only the most recent in a long series of such deals for Genius, who also signed on as the NFL’s official sports gambling data partner back in April.

The post Unvaccinated NBA Players Who Miss Games Won’t Get Paid appeared first on Boardroom.

Wolves Fire President Gersson Rosas Amidst Internal Turmoil

Chuck McMahon — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 14:08:14 +0000

The Minnesota Timberwolves fired president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas on Wednesday after an internal review from ownership regarding his performance and relationships within the organization. Per The Athletic’s Shams Charania and John Krawczynski, team stakeholders had been monitoring Rosas’ performance throughout the summer, and reportedly discovered evidence that Rosas was involved in a consensual romantic relationship with another team employee.

NHL Finds No Evidence Kane Gambled on Games

The NHL announced Wednesday it has completed its gambling investigation into Evander Kane, finding no evidence that the San Jose Sharks forward wagered on NHL games. The allegations against Kane surfaced on social media as part of an ongoing marital dispute involving his wife.

Bears’ Justin Fields to Get First NFL Start Sunday

The Chicago Bears will have a new starting QB in this Sunday’s match-up against the Cleveland Browns. On Wednesday, coach Matt Nagy confirmed Andy Dalton will be sidelined by a knee injury, and the rookie will take the snap.

WNBA Playoffs Tips Off with Two Single-elimination Games

The WNBA post-season will commence tonight with two single-elimination games. The Phoenix Mercury will take on the New York Liberty and The Chicago Sky will face the Dallas Wings. The winners will meet the Seattle Storm and the Minnesota Lynx in the second round.

Rays Clinch Postseason Berth as AL Wild Card Battle Looms

The Tampa Bay Rays clinched a spot in the postseason Wednesday night with a 7-1 win against the Toronto Blue Jays. The game got testy when benches cleared after Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier was hit in the back with a pitch from Toronto reliever Ryan Borucki in the 8th inning. The Jays are in a tight race with the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees for one of two AL Wild Card spots.

FTX Announces Mercedes F1 Sponsorship

Cryptocurrrency exchange FTX is expanding its impressive sports portfolio, announcing their partnership with Mercedes’ decorated Formula 1 team. The collaboration is scheduled to be unveiled at this weekend’s Russian Grand Prix.

Topps Teams Up with Overtime Elite for Exclusive Trading Cards

After a series of challenging weeks, Topps looks to rebound with Overtime Elite. The trading card giant announced its return to the game of basketball, striking a deal to create exclusive trading cards and collectibles for the new league that debuts this fall and will pay 16- to 18-year old prep players six-figure salaries.

The Athletic Seeks Buyer, $750M Valuation

The Athletic is ramping up efforts to find a buyer willing to acknowledge a $750 million estimated valuation, The Information reported Wednesday. The subscription-only sports media outlet, which boasts around 1.2 million subscribers, has reportedly hired investment bank LionTree to help it find a buyer.

Ahead of UFC Return, Nick Diaz Says He Doesn’t Enjoy MMA

The former welterweight title challenger told reporters that he is not looking forward to returning to the cage for the first time since 2015. As he prepares for his UFC 266 rematch against Robbie Lawler, Diaz told ESPN, “I never enjoyed fighting… it’s just what I do.”

Athletes Hoping to Compete at 2022 Olympics Must Be Vaccinated, USOPC Says

In advance of the winter Olympics, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee confirmed that American athletes, coaches, and staff must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 in order to utilize USOPC facilities and to be eligible for competition. The US anticipates sending 240 athletes, all of whom must show proof of vaccination by Dec. 1.

Russell Westbrook to Debut Documentary About His Life on Showtime

As he makes his move to LA, Russell Westbrook is set to give his fans an inside peek at his life, debuting Passion Play: Russell Westbrook on Showtime on Oct. 15. The project is co-directed by Gotham Chopra, who also directed the 2015 doc Kobe Bryant’s Muse.

PLL Founder Paul Rabil Joins Therabody Team

After announcing his retirement from the sport, lacrosse superstar Paul Rabil will be joining the Therabody team as a brand ambassador. The all-time leading scorer will join other big names like DeAndre Hopkins, Breanna Stewart, and DeVonta Smith, as Therabody athletes.

The post Wolves Fire President Gersson Rosas Amidst Internal Turmoil appeared first on Boardroom.

The Ridiculous Policy Keeping Cannabis Stigma Alive in Sports

Nikki Frias — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 20:05:00 +0000

Despite reforms, why do so many still care so much about marijuana in sports that we’re willing to die on the hill of “CBD good, THC bad?”

The world of sports — but particularly the Olympics, NFL, and NBA — are known to experience their fair share of controversy stemming from marijuana use by athletes. But why? For years, we’ve accepted or even glorified it within music culture thanks to artists like Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa. We’ve even done it in politics — remember Bill Clinton’s infamous “I didn’t inhale” quotation?

It hits like a joke now, but back in 1992, it was the stuff of fascination.

But the psychoactive component of cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), tends to be considered the offender in the sporting conversation. Meanwhile, Cannabidiol (CBD) products have enjoyed explosive popularity in athletic programs, with adherents celebrating their recovery and anti-inflammatory properties.

This begs two questions: Does THC have some kind of inherently negative effect on athletes that justifies its taboo status? By comparison, does CBD supremacy stand up to any real scrutiny?

We’ve all heard news over the years of football players or a wide range of college athletes getting suspended or fined for a failed marijuana test. At the pro level, the NBA, NFL, and MLB have relaxed punishments for positive marijuana tests, but players can still be fined tens of thousands of dollars and find themselves forced into intervention programs.

Not all sports organizations have evolved past the ridiculous need for suspensions, however. This summer alone, the sanction of top-tier athletes like Sha’Carri Richardson illustrated just how far we still have to go.

“The negative stigma surrounding cannabis is rooted in outdated, racist thinking.” -@cheddahcheese7@boardroom @itskerrii #LetShaCarriRun https://t.co/2ZD8EaML3r
— Viola (@Violabrands) July 21, 2021

Years ago, bans like Richardson’s were unnecessary. Now, they’re a farce — and they expose a meaningless distinction that far too many leagues and regulatory bodies continue to draw.

The State of CBD vs. THC in Sports

In a nutshell, CBD, aka cannabidiol, is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid that has no psychoactive properties, and THC, aka tetrahydrocannabinol, is the opposite. Under the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) World Anti-Doping Code (WADA), marijuana and cannabinoids are both substances prohibited in sports competitions.

“Unless an athlete has an approved Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE), the use of substances when they are prohibited in sport may lead to an anti-doping rule violation and sanction,” the code says.

That might sound reasonable from one perspective. But critically, the measures these governing bodies require before a TUE is granted are significant. The case of mixed martial artist Elias Theodorou, who uses cannabis to ease symptoms of bilateral neuropathy, is an unavoidable example:

During the process of attempting to obtain a therapeutic use exemption for medicinal cannabis, Elias Theodorou says that governing bodies asked him to exhaust other avenues that included opioids and even antidepressants.

Full interview: https://t.co/UdabfJb1nP pic.twitter.com/rG5Ys8BcYz
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) February 26, 2020

Under WADA’s 2021 Prohibited List, THC is still classified as a Substance of Abuse — the same category that contains cocaine and heroin.

In placing THC on that restricted list, WADA considered the following:

“Athletes who smoke cannabis or Spice [synthetic marijuana] in-competition potentially endanger themselves and others because of increased risk-taking, slower reaction times and poor executive function or decision making.”
“Based on current animal and human studies as well as on interviews with athletes and information from the field, cannabis can be performance-enhancing for some athletes and sports disciplines.”
“Use of illicit drugs that are harmful to health and that may have performance-enhancing properties is not consistent with the athlete as a role model for young people around the world.”

.@usantidoping and @wada_ama's cannabis policies are outdated, restrictive and rooted in our nation’s racist War on Drugs.

Today, @RepBlumenauer and I called for an end to this harmful and discriminatory rule. Our letter below pic.twitter.com/YSunU8wtYK
— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) July 9, 2021

With each passing day, these rules become not just increasingly obsolete and discriminatory, but counterproductive to countless athletes’ recovery and wellness missions, as it forces many to turn to potentially harmful, addictive options like opioid painkillers.

Stopping the Stigma

When considering the ways in which THC actually affects an athlete, the distance between the stigma surrounding cannabis versus the actual reality is laid bare.

The bigger issue here is not the difference between CBD and THC or how any individual league or organization treats one versus the other. Rather, it’s how the reputation of cannabis has evolved from a broad right-and-wrong proposition to a narrower one.

In this new paradigm, CBD is “medical” and accepted, while THC remains “a drug” and dings the reputation of an athlete. But how could this be a straight-faced position among regulators, or any cross-section of the general public?

It’s like declaring granny smith apples good and honey crisp apples bad. It’s not underwritten by any relevant point of fact. It’s as unfair as it is arbitrary.

It’s almost as if no one from WADA has ever taken an edible or smoked a Backwoods.

Ultimately, all these matters still down to subjective judgments shaped by public reputations that are themselves shaped by deeply ingrained cultural attitudes. Overwhelming public opinion can’t change the minds of USADA and WADA by itself. but it’s a necessary step in dismantling the true culprit: the misconceptions and prejudices regarding cannabis that persist across culture and history.

The controversy that has shrouded the cannabis discussion in the US and around the world has lessened in recent years, but an uphill battle still remains as it relates to workplace regulations of all stripes — the “CBD good, THC bad” concept sheds more light on how the generational marijuana stigma is deeper-rooted than just in sports.

If WADA wants to ban marijuana as a whole, so be it. They’ll be forced to live with the backlash. But allowing CBD and other non-psychoactive cannbinoids while still classifying THC as a Substance of Abuse only blurs the line more between what’s most important in the world of sports:

The athletes themselves or outdated notions of the so-called integrity of the game.

The post The Ridiculous Policy Keeping Cannabis Stigma Alive in Sports appeared first on Boardroom.

Is an Olympic Gold Medal “Priceless”?

Chuck McMahon — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 19:15:32 +0000

It’s arguably the greatest accomplishment in all of sports. So, let’s talk about what an Olympic gold medal is literally worth.

For countless competitors, gold medal glory is the pinnacle of sporting achievement. From the field to the court, from the track to the pool, that No. 1 position on the medal podium is the mountaintop for amateur and professional athletes all around the globe.

But for those fortunate enough to take one home, winning the gold can mean a whole lot of different things depending upon the winner’s sport, country, age, and personal circumstances. For some, getting the gold can mean fortune. For others, it can mean fame. And in some cases, getting a chance to taste Olympic gold can lead to new professional opportunities beyond sports.

The Gold Standard

A gold medal from the #Olympics is worth about $900. For a few athletes, the medal will launch them to fame and riches. Who will be the next U.S. Olympian household name? I talked to Caitlyn Jenner, Kerri Walsh Jennings, and Dan Jansen about Olympic fame.https://t.co/ihByPHA2Fc
— Bill Shea (@Bill_Shea19) August 2, 2021

The going rate for the gold medals handed out in Tokyo may not be what you think it is.

This year’s medals, which were designed by director of the Japan Sign Design Association Junichi Kawanishi, are made from a total of 78,985 tons of recycled electronic devices donated by the Japanese public.

And as it turns out, they contain only a few grams of pure gold. We’re talking about $800-$900 worth when melted down. For reference, a single troy ounce (31.1 grams) of pure gold trades on commodities markets at just over $1,800 as of this writing.

But that certainly doesn’t mean these medals are worthless.

A recent Olympic memorabilia event held by Boston-based RR Auction demonstrates that selling these prestigious medals can be… well, a gold mine.

Here’s a look at some of the medals on the move during the July 15-22 auction:

A rare first-place medal from the first modern Olympic Games from Athens in 1896 sold for $180,111 (literal gold medals did not exist in the first Olympiad).
A gold medal won by an unidentified member of the 1984 Team USA men’s basketball team fetched $83,188.
A gold medal presented to Swedish wrestler Ivar Johansson at the Los Angeles 1932 Summer Olympics went for $45,375.
A gold medal won by a member of the Argentinean men’s soccer team at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics sold for $92,270.

Bill Russell has announced plans to auction off much of his NBA memorabilia, including:

His '57, '69 Championship Rings
4 of his 5 MVP Trophies
His '56 Olympic Gold Medal

A portion of proceeds will go to his nonprofit, MENTOR, and to Celtics United for Social Justice. pic.twitter.com/HnoJ6HqA1R
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) July 22, 2021

Let’s not forget the many high-profile stories of former Olympic champions selling their medals due to financial hardship.

Of course, plenty of other athletes have opted to sell their gold medals for entirely different reasons altogether.

NBA legend Bill Russell, for example, intends to sell his 1956 Olympic gold medal, among other things, this fall — with some of the proceeds going to charity.

The First-place Payday

When it comes to getting paid for performance, the money each Olympic athlete earns for gold can vary dramatically from country to country.

In the Philippines, the payday for winning big goes beyond just the Philippine Peso. Filipino weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, who took home the country’s first Olympic gold in a non-exhibition sport, could earn much more than the $600,000 she’s promised from the country’s sports commission and private businesses.

Even before the checks clear, she’s reportedly been offered two homes and free flights for life.

Such is life when you’re legitimately a national hero.

Here’s a look at how much money Olympic medalists from 12 countries could take home, based on data compiled from various national Olympic committees, sport associations as well as personal finance site Money Under 30. https://t.co/DT6yX8UilA pic.twitter.com/l78XqaMqgi
— CNBC (@CNBC) July 30, 2021

While one may assume US athletes make bank for winning the gold compared to other countries, that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, athletes from Singapore who win gold earn nearly 20 times more ($737,000) on average than a US athlete ($37,500).

American competitors, however, do receive additional support. This includes:

Grants
Stipends
Medical benefits
Tuition Assistance

And none of this takes into account the natural opportunities that await US athletes who bring home gold in the form of sponsorships, endorsements, appearances, and more. These opportunities include deals awaiting college athletes who will return from the Olympics and can start cashing in on their name, image, and likeness, too.

In the big picture, the financial upshot of bringing home Olympic gold can vary based on a wide range of factors, from timing to geography and beyond. But for those athletes looking to hold onto perhaps the single greatest honor in all of sports, a gold medal is still ultimately as priceless as it’s ever been.

The post Is an Olympic Gold Medal “Priceless”? appeared first on Boardroom.

The Collective Marketplace Brings Superstar Memorabilia Straight to the Fans

Bernadette Doykos — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 12:00:00 +0000

“This is an unprecedented platform for a new generation of fans,” Phoenix Mercury and Team USA guard Diana Taurasi tells Boardroom.

In 2019, the Wasserman agency announced the formation of The Collective — its division dedicated to enhancing the visibility of women in sports and entertainment. Since its formation, The Collective has assembled an All-Star client list including both today’s biggest names, including Megan Rapinoe and Diana Taurasi, as well as the next generation of talents like Paige Bueckers and Cameron Brink.

The Collective represents a veritable who’s-who of the top talent in women’s sports. And now, fans can own a piece of their favorite stars’ greatest moments thanks to The Collective Marketplace, a new platform offering game-used, autographed apparel and memorabilia.

“Sports enthusiasts have made clear that there’s a demand for this kind of marketplace. That the time is now, which is why I’m thrilled to be an initial partner of The Collective Marketplace. This is an unprecedented platform for a new generation of fans,” Phoenix Mercury and Team USA guard Diana Taurasi told Boardroom.

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞

A first-of-its-kind online platform enabling fans to buy authentic game-used, autographed memorabilia and licensed products of the world's premier women athletes.

Learn More: https://t.co/4GOTxNhn0k pic.twitter.com/EzNduwjoxt
— Wasserman Collective (@WassCollective) August 2, 2021

In partnership with Athlete Direct, The Collective Marketplace seeks to revolutionize the way in which fans establish a connection with their favorite athletes. The marketplace is a response to the current boom in the $15 billion collectibles market, and its creation fills a critical gap for women’s sports in the memorabilia space.

Additionally, it proves a major opportunity in the ongoing battle for equal pay.

Breanna Stewart autographed sneakers
Sue Bird autographed basketball
Sue Bird autographed sneakers

“The focus of The Collective has always been to celebrate the truths, moments, and cultural touchpoints that will recognize and elevate the accomplishment of women in sports,” said Thayer Lavielle, EVP, The Collective at Wasserman. “The Collective Marketplace was essential to the celebration and recognition of the memorabilia culture that still connects and secures fandom.

In addition to redefining how fans and athletes interact, it empowers the athletes themselves to have ownership of their memorabilia. Through The Collective Marketplace, athletes have total control over the sale and distribution of authentic game-used, team-issued autographed memorabilia and licensed products commemorating the most exciting moments of their careers.

April Ross autographed Team USA top
Alix Klineman autographed visor

“The platform is another way for women to take ownership of their businesses away from sport, and we saw an opening in this space to create opportunities for more women,” Lavielle said. “This natural-yet-innovative extension to our purpose paves the way for more connection, fan involvement. and equity in the market.”

The unique model allows athletes to determine the scale, sale, and commercial value of the merchandise — and provides fans with a one-of-a-kind opportunity to connect directly with the athletes.

From Rapinoe’s USA Soccer jersey from the 2019 World Cup Championship game (complete with official gold FIFA World Cup championship patch) to signed Olympic apparel from the gold medal-winning beach volleyball “A-Team” of Alix Klineman and April Ross, the marketplace boasts some truly powerful pieces of sports history.

And just like the athletes who contributed to the collection, that power is only going to grow.

The post The Collective Marketplace Brings Superstar Memorabilia Straight to the Fans appeared first on Boardroom.

Mikkel Hansen: The Biggest Name in the Biggest Sport You’re Not Watching

Bernadette Doykos — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 17:40:44 +0000

The team handball legend seeks to lead Denmark to a second straight gold medal. But he’s making serious moves off the court, too.

For years, Americans have looked to Europe for an early look at certain emerging trends. Whether it’s lifestyle or fashion or automobiles, our friends across the pond know how to set an aspirational example or two. And every four years during the Olympics, US audiences are captivated by a sport that they can’t find anywhere during the in-between times: team handball.

It’s easy enough to follow. Two seven-a-side squads pass and hustle a ball around in hopes of whipping it into the back of the opponent’s net. The sport pairs the intensity of hockey with the grace of soccer, plus a bit of lacrosse mixed in for good measure. And it’s the largest international sport without a permanent, professional US presence to speak of.

Team USA hasn’t qualified for an international handball tournament since the 2001 World Championships. However, the sport is a massive deal in Europe, and even gained a double-digit boost in sponsorship value during the pandemic.

The Hand of Hansen!
Celebrating the unerring accuracy of Denmark's Mikkel Hansen! #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/ZjSWV8iVBn
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) July 18, 2021

Of 39 Olympic medals in handball that have been distributed through history, all but one of those have gone to a European nation. And these days, the Danish national team is a dominant force to be reckoned with.

Although Denmark notched its first loss of the tournament in a nail-biting 33-30 defeat during their final game of match play against Sweden, they are still a popular pick to take home gold in Japan as the knockout rounds begin this week.

And they are led by the prince of the sport: Mikkel Hansen.

The 33-year-old left back led Denmark to gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he secured a tournament MVP award from the International Handball Federation, two World Championships (2019, 2021), and a European Championship (2012).

The Tokyo Games have already been record-breaking for Hansen, who became the top Olympic goal scorer with a nine-goal performance against Portugal, giving him 138 for his career.

And counting.

His dominance on the international stage comes as no surprise, as he’s a three-time IHF World Player of the Year. Earlier this year, he made waves in a different kind of way, however — he announced his departure from Paris Saint-Germain to return to Denmark’s Aalborg Håndbold for 2022.

.@mikkelhansen24's legacy:
Olympic Games:
133 goals in 25 games (#1 all-time)
World Championships:
319 in 60 (#1)
European Championships:
213 in 41 (#3)
National team:
1158 in 228 (#2 in DEN, #18 worldwide)
Champions League:
922 in 179 (#5)
— Fabian Koch (@Fabian_Handball) July 30, 2021

And in addition to tallying record-breaking stats on the court, Hansen has begun to build his legacy off the court as well.

Estimated net worth: $44 million
IG followers: 238,000
Key endorsements: Mizuno, VitaminWell, RareWine

As he embarks on a homecoming tour to his native Denmark during the next club season, Hansen continues to develop his empire. In addition to key sponsorships and his work with his anti-bullying organization MH24, he also opened a training facility in Copenhagen in 2019 that seeks to develop the next generation of ballers.

In the meantime, Denmark is gearing up to take on Norway Tuesday in the Olympic quarterfinals. Team USA will be sure to look on intently, as they have eyes on fielding their first-ever Olympic handball team in the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

And to do so, they’ll undoubtedly be logging countless hours deconstructing the talent of the game’s GOAT.

The post Mikkel Hansen: The Biggest Name in the Biggest Sport You’re Not Watching appeared first on Boardroom.

Out of Office: Rich Kleiman & Kevin Durant Discuss the Playoffs, the Olympics, & More

Jonathan Wiener — Sun, 01 Aug 2021 17:38:35 +0000

Download and listen to the full episode and subscribe to the pod by clicking here.

Rich’s business partner, longtime friend, and two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant joins Out of Office for an off-the-cuff conversation about his mentality coming out of this year’s Brooklyn Nets playoff run, the way he approached the series against the Milwaukee Bucks, and what he really sees as the pivotal moments in his life and career.

He and Rich talk through the craziness of his 2019 injury in Toronto, what he’s learned from growing up as a naturally curious person, and his excitement around Nets culture and the fandom the team has built in New York.

Plus, KD looks ahead to the Olympics and discusses his new obsession with baseball.

Download and listen to the full episode and subscribe to the pod by clicking here.

The post Out of Office: Rich Kleiman & Kevin Durant Discuss the Playoffs, the Olympics, & More appeared first on Boardroom.

Allyson Felix Stays Gold

Bernadette Doykos — Sun, 01 Aug 2021 13:59:00 +0000

She’s been winning Olympic medals since 2004. But in Tokyo, she hits the track for the first time as both a sneaker entrepreneur and a mom.

When Allyson Felix takes the track in her fifth Olympic Games, she’ll be chasing down history. Felix is one medal away from being the most decorated Olympian ever in women’s track and field ever.

And in the last few years, Felix has been busy, both on the track and off. The impact of her efforts will resonate for women in sports for generations to come.

With track and field officially taking off at the Tokyo Games, all eyes will be on this record-setting Los Angeles native. And to be sure, that’s an incredibly familiar feeling for her.

Estimated net worth: $4.5 million
IG followers: 874K
Key endorsements: Athleta, Bose, GrubHub, Intuit, Pantene
Achievements: Nine-time Olympic medalist (six gold, three silver); leads all track and field athletes in World Athletics Championships history with 18 medals, including 13 golds
Last month, Felix announced the launch of her own shoe brand, Saysh, built for women by women

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Allyson Felix (@allysonfelix)

She’s been winning Olympic medals since she was a teenager in 2004, but the run up to the Tokyo Summer Games has been a different kind of whirlwind for Allyson Felix. She welcomed her first daughter, Camryn, parted ways with Nike after the disappointing way she felt they handled her transition into motherhood, was the first major athlete signed by Gap-owned apparel brand Athleta, and was selected as one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2020.

She’s already made more history than any one human being could ever reasonably hope to make. But her motivation has never faltered.

How could it? She’s doing it for Cammy now.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Allyson Felix (@allysonfelix)

Felix is confirmed to be running the 400-meter dash in Tokyo — the final is scheduled for August 6 — and is expected to participate in the 4×400 relay and the all-new mixed-gender 4×400.

If anyone can say they have nothing left to prove on the Olympic stage, it’s Camryn’s mom. But if her big moves regarding Athleta and Saysh are as telling as they appear, Allyson Felix’s story will continue to be one of constant refinement and reinvention. The only thing that stays is the gold.

The post Allyson Felix Stays Gold appeared first on Boardroom.

5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Panic About USA Men’s Basketball

Johnathan Tillman — Sat, 31 Jul 2021 13:59:00 +0000

No, they aren’t blowing out foes like the Dream Team. But the game of basketball is in a better place than it was in 1992.

Following their 83-76 loss to France, Team USA Men’s Basketball faced an onslaught of scrutiny from fans and supporters alike. Questions swirled, wondering if the American version of the game was in trouble on the international stage.

Disdain towards this iteration of Team USA dripped with entitlement and uppity behavior, a suggestion that America should always dominate on the international stage; that a close victory may as well be a loss. In addition to dispelling that idea, below are reasons why there should be no panic surrounding basketball in the United States as the team enters the Olympic quarterfinals this week.

1. A Star-laden Roster, but Not a “Dream Team”

The first reason to avoid a meltdown regarding USA Basketball is the most obvious. While 11 of the 14 players on the final roster have at least one All-Star nod, most of the highest tier of NBA players declined to play in the Tokyo Olympics thanks to the 2020-21 season ending less than a single week before the Games.

Shouting about roster construction only means so much. Many of the USA's best players don't want to spend their summer (especially this summer!) playing for Team USA. The USA hasn't sent their 12 best players for a while now. Other countries have improved and send their best.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) July 25, 2021

Having superstars like Damian Lillard and Kevin Durant around is a treat, but FIBA and Olympic veterans like LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kyrie Irving, and Anthony Davis decided to skip Japan for various personal reasons. That tightened (but didn’t eliminate) the talent gap between Team USA and the rest of the world, to say nothing of Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, and Devin Booker heading directly overseas after the NBA Finals with zero break in between.

And given the improvement of the sport on a global scale, losses like the one Team USA suffered in their Olympic opener against France should be closer to expected than surprising.

Even the “Redeem Team” of 2008, arguably the best collection of NBA talent since the 1992 Dream Team, still needed timely heroics from Kobe Bryant in order to secure victory in the gold medal game against Spain.

A decade later, the inevitability of growth means more games will be more competitive.

2. Overseas Teams & Continuity

While teams across the world have improved, the main reason why the players mesh on the court is, well, they play together. Most of the international teams field the same group of players for their national teams for a few Olympic cycles. In contrast, Team USA overhauls the majority of its roster for each Olympic cycle.

France's Evan Fournier after beating USA Basketball in Tokyo Olympic opener: "They are better individually but they can be beaten as a team."
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) July 25, 2021

This year, 10 players on Team USA are in their first Olympic Games and those players are heavily depended on to contribute majorly to the pursuit of a gold medal.

The international teams that have a couple of NBA players focus their game plans around those stars. That’s why NBA role players like Australia’s Patty Mills and France’s Evan Fournier look like superstars for their respective international teams.

Their teammates are simply more used to playing with them thanks to years and years of additional reps.

Team USA rotates its roster so much that such chemistry is more difficult to come by. Because of the pandemic and unique NBA season, players were not able to spend time together to develop that bond.

3. The NBA is Getting Younger, More Talented

With the NBA Draft coming and going this week, dozens of players will hear their names announced. While highly-touted international prospects like Australia’s Josh Giddey (No. 6 overall to Oklahoma City) have a chance to make a real splash, the significant majority of the players drafted were American, led by No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons and the rest of the top five.

And let’s not forget that USA Basketball is more than just NBA players competing for gold every four years. The continuous influx of talent is also a sign of how talented and how plentiful the basketball talent pool in America remains at the youth levels, as well as for secondary competitions like the FIBA Americas.

Since 2004, the last time the United States did not win gold in men’s basketball, 11 of the 17 No. 1 overall picks in the NBA Draft have been American, and not a single one of those players was 21 years old at the time of being drafted. American basketball players are better at younger ages, with the evolution of skill and versatility further enhancing the pro game.

4. The Women’s Game Is Stronger Than Ever

Basketball isn’t just a men’s sport, folks, and Team USA does not only send men to compete in the Olympics. The Women’s USA Basketball team is still as dominant as ever, seeking their sixth consecutive Olympic gold.

With their preliminary round victory against Nigeria, Team USA Women won their 50th straight Olympic contest. In contrast, the men’s team’s loss to France snapped a 25-game winning streak at the Games.

There should not be panic about basketball in America because basketball in America has not been and is not solely a male sport. To quote a new movement: “Women Hoop Too.”

Just ask Kara Lawson’s golden 3×3 team.

That's GOLD and #OlympicHERstory for @usab3x3 as they take the win over the ROC pic.twitter.com/YOQzzdZwWJ
— On Her Turf (@OnHerTurf) July 28, 2021

5. The Rest of The World’s Improvement is Good for the Game

Overall, basketball has legitimately become a global game. The expansion of hoops has reached every continent, and incredible talent is available worldwide like never before. If better players are developing in every corner of the globe, it only serves to enhance the quality of the NBA, college basketball, and innovative programs like G League Ignite and Overtime Elite.

Players like Joel Embiid, Domantas Sabonis, and Andrew Wiggins are foreign-born, but played at American colleges — do we believe that this infringes on the growth of US-born high schoolers? No way; better competition makes for a better resulting group of players and that’s why those players enter the NBA Draft at young ages.

It may be startling to see Team USA lose a single game, but one defeat should not elicit vitriol or panic surrounding a team facing such a handful of circumstances that’s less than ideal. Basketball in America is still strong. It’s strong outside the states, too. This is a sign of the game’s unprecedented strength — the only thing that could harm it is fan entitlement that misrepresents reality.

The post 5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Panic About USA Men’s Basketball appeared first on Boardroom.

For Nyjah Huston, the Olympics Were a Single Step on a Bigger Journey

Chuck McMahon — Fri, 30 Jul 2021 17:04:37 +0000

At just 26 years of age, the world’s most successful skateboarder has already carved out his own place in sports culture thanks to a brand built to win.

Nyjah Huston has proven a lot over the course of a skateboarding career of more than 15 years.

He’s a 19-time X-Games medalist. A six-time world skateboarding champion. He’s got a massive social media following and has enough videos of himself on YouTube flipping tricks for days (or weeks) of entertainment.

He also launched his own skateboard brand and has enough endorsements to knock you on your backside.

And this summer, as arguably the planet’s most skilled skater, Huston helped prove his sport has a true and lasting place in the Summer Olympics as a key member of the first-ever Team USA Skateboarding team.

In the inaugural Street competition, Huston ultimately fell short of the medal stand. But that just skims the handrail of Huston’s growing list of professional accolades.

The guy is on a path toward all-time greatness — both on and off the board.

From Skateboard to Boardroom

Throughout his young career, Huston hasn’t been shy about showing his interests go beyond just being a great skater. The 26-year-old is a bonafide businessman who is building a brand to back it up.

First Disorder graphic goes live in 30 mins!! I signed the first 100 boards bought. Send ittt pic.twitter.com/1mpYysCGTX
— Nyjah Huston (@nyjah) June 25, 2021

From big-time sponsors to impressive social media numbers, here’s a snapshot of what Huston has his hands in.

Official website: nyjah.com
Estimated net worth: $12 million
IG followers: 4.7 million
Twitter followers: 260.3K
YouTube subscribers : 490K
Key endorsements: Nike, Doritos, Diamond Supply Co., Ricta Wheels, Monster Energy, Social CBD, Mob Grip, Mountain Dew, and Adapt Technology

Once a team rider for Element Skateboards, both as an amateur and as a pro, Huston made headlines earlier this year when he announced via Instagram that he would be leaving the company for new beginnings. The move left many in the skateboarding world to speculate which brand he would choose to hook up with next.

But fans didn’t have to wait long. Huston put all of the rumors to rest roughly a month before the Olympics when he launched his very own custom skateboard brand, Disorder Skateboards. The June 25 launch proved so successful that his decks sold out in a matter of a couple of hours.

As if 2021 wasn’t busy enough, Huston was also named to the TIME 100 Next as one of a new generation of figures expected to shape culture and sport in the years and decades to come.

And all of that happened well before Huston hit the road for the Tokyo Games.

Taking His Talents to Tokyo

With all of the brand recognition leading up to the Summer Games, Huston built up some major momentum going into Tokyo.

Check out @nyjah ripping a few rad little spots in the Olympic Village! @Olympics @Tokyo2020 @TeamUSA @NBCOlympics #usaskateboarding #olympicskateboarding pic.twitter.com/kUoTaZXMil
— USA Skateboarding (@USASkateboard) July 28, 2021

At the opening ceremonies, not only did he take photos with USA swimming legend Katie Ledecky, but he also was caught fist-bumping Kevin Durant.

He even turned heads online after a video of Huston skating through Olympic Village was posted online.

And when it came time to compete in the Skateboarding Street competition, Huston again showed the world why he’s the best in the business — ripping gravity-defying tricks while rocking the Nike SB X Parra Japan skateboarding jersey.

Unfortunately, he came up just short of expectations, skating into to the medal round but finishing No. 7 overall after making a few mistakes.

It wasn’t the result anyone had imagined for Huston. However, despite the loss, Huston showed humility and grace, another sign of his staying power in the big picture of extreme sports.

Following USA gymnastics star Simone Biles‘ withdrawal from the team competition and individual all-around, Huston made another leadership move. He concurred with the GOAT’s decision, and was not afraid to address the mental toll competing in the Olympics can have on an athlete’s mental well-being.

“We’re human, you know,” Huston told TMZ at LAX. “It happens sometimes and dealing with being No. 1 and dealing with all that pressure and nervousness, it’s a real thing. It’s a real thing.”

“I feel like sometimes, people see us as like robots and out there expecting to win every time. But in reality, that’s not how it is, and it’s not that easy.”

Huston did express regret in not landing the tricks he needed to win gold, but he left the door open for making another run at the Olympics four years from now.

Most importantly, despite not returning to his home soil with a medal and acknowledging that he wasn’t at his best, the world’s most decorated skater proved one very important thing.

He’s human. In light of all his other career accomplishments and the perils of fame that come along with them, this is perhaps his most impressive accomplishment of all.

The post For Nyjah Huston, the Olympics Were a Single Step on a Bigger Journey appeared first on Boardroom.

The Olympics Already Have 2 Breakout Stars: Telfar Clemens & Kim Kardashian

Bernadette Doykos — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 16:12:00 +0000

From SKIMS to Telfar, the Tokyo Summer Games will be a watershed moment for emerging styles off the beaten path of sports.

The Olympics function as one of the world’s most exciting runways, serving looks from around the globe all on one stage. And this time around, the big reveal at Friday night’s opening ceremony arrived after five years of waiting, not four.

Historically, some of the biggest designers — from Halston to Ralph Lauren, Armani to Louboutin — have partnered with national Olympic teams to design custom attire. It’s a chance for designers to try new things; for example, RL’s Team USA opening ceremony kits will pioneer all-new cooling technology.

It’s also a chance for new brands and designers to capture the attention of an international audience. And in the run up to this year’s Tokyo Games, while several major apparel labels like Nike and Speedo will once again be on display, two breakout stars have emerged to crash the gates of the age-old athletic tradition:

Telfar Clemens and Kim Kardashian West’s SKIMS.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian)

While the two would appear to have little in common, both have built business models that seek to disrupt the traditionally exclusive world of fashion, creating couture experiences for the everyday consumer. And at these Olympic Games, they have an utterly unique opportunity to showcase the fruits of their labor on a different kind of global stage.

Kim Kardashian SKIMS the Surface of Sports

Kim K is no stranger to the Olympics.

In announcing the partnership on Instagram, Kardashian alluded to 1976 decathlon gold medalist Caitlyn Jenner, who was previously married to her mother. She wrote, “Ever since I was 10 years old, I’ve heard every single detail about the Olympics… Every moment I’ve spent admiring the strength and energy of the Olympians from the sidelines came full circle.”

Just Dropped: @SKIMS for Team USA. Our much anticipated collection is finally here! Support the United States female athletes participating in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games with our exclusive sleepwear and loungewear collection. Shop now at https://t.co/Qsy51S3rtD pic.twitter.com/s7q7p6Uayk
— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) July 12, 2021

Today, her SKIMS brand is committed to creating products for everybody and every body through accessible pricing and inclusive sizing. And that spirit figures to shine through in Japan.

To promote the signature line, SKIMS linked up with Olympic and Paralympic athletes A’ja Wilson, Alex Morgan, Dalilah Muhammad, Haley Anderson, and Scout Bassett for a campaign shot by Vanessa Beecroft, a frequent collaborator of Kardashian’s husband, Kanye West

Kardashian has cited the countless ways that the Olympic team has inspired generations of women. “These women are incredible role models for younger girls, including my own daughters, showing them that anything is possible if you work hard enough. SKIMS is designed to empower women to feel their best every day and we’re excited to work with Team USA to help spread this message,” she said in an official press release.

The billion-dollar company is the first known official undergarment sponsor in Team USA history, and will provide a capsule collection of underwear, pajamas, and loungewear to each of the 626 American athletes in Tokyo.

Telfar Clemens Returns to His Roots With Team Liberia

Telfar Clemens has built his career on bucking the rules of an industry known for notoriously high barriers for entry. The 36-year-old Liberian-American designer has dedicated his career to dismantling the expectations of high fashion, and the Olympics present a true breakthrough for his ongoing journey.

Clemens and his creative director, Babak Radboy, do not subscribe to the fashion calendar. He rejects invitations to keynote events such as the Met Gala, and has built the brand around genderless construction, and recently eliminated wholesaling, building a direct-to-consumer distribution pipeline that sets Telfar apart from all other labels.

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A post shared by @telfarglobal

And in 2020, a year that nearly destroyed the fashion industry, his business grew over 270%.

Today, some Telfar products have become some of the most coveted in all the land. Its signature T-logo shopping bag is the season’s staple, toted by everyone from athletes to Real Housewives. Nicknamed the “Bushwick Birkin” after the iconic Hermes purse, even Beyoncé featured one in a recent Instagram series.

Team Liberia dressed in Telfar Global at the opening of the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo
: @elboww_knee #TheLibInfluence pic.twitter.com/fAg28anRs4
— The Liberian Influence (@thelibinfluence) July 23, 2021

With all that momentum in his favor, when the Liberia National Team was looking for a uniform sponsor, Clemens answered the call. Born in the US to Liberian immigrants, Clemens’ family moved back to their native country when he was young for a short time, but returned stateside when Telfar was five to escape the country’s civil war.

He will outfit the five-person team with everything from their opening ceremony fits to their competition wear — and, of course, he’ll release a corresponding line of merch to the general public.

Additionally, the company will provide funding for travel and accommodations for the nation’s team.

It is the designer’s first solo endeavor into activewear. Telfar recently released a collab with Converse. However, his Olympic venture isn’t the brand’s first foray into uniforms. Telfar is also responsible for building out full kits for White Castle restaurant employees, which also inspired a corresponding collaboration.

While both brands are fronting serious capital to realize these sponsorships, it should be noted that the investment is likely to reap a major reward. Athleisure is a booming market, one that netted over $105 billion in sales and is projected to grow 8% in 2021, as noted by Statista.

For SKIMS, the corresponding capsule collection has already nearly sold out after its July 12 release. And for Telfar, The Team Libera collab serves as the perfect prelude to an upcoming line of workout gear consumers will be able to get their hands on in September.

And for the Olympians and Paralympians themselves, they’ll breathe new into that old adage about working hard, but looking good while you do it.

The post The Olympics Already Have 2 Breakout Stars: Telfar Clemens & Kim Kardashian appeared first on Boardroom.

Sha’Carri Richardson and the Long Road to Marijuana Reform in Sports

Johnathan Tillman — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 18:15:38 +0000

“The negative stigma surrounding cannabis is rooted in outdated, racist thinking,” ex-NBA player and marijuana entrepreneur Al Harrington tells Boardroom.

The Tokyo Olympics arrive this week, bringing with them no shortage of narratives regarding the role of sports in modern society. From reckoning with the continuing difficulties of the coronavirus pandemic to the global march for social justice, the Summer Games bring the world together at a uniquely critical, challenging time.

And against this backdrop, there’s also an ever-present conversation at the intersection of performance, policy, and accountability that’s long past needing to be settled.

Earlier this month, American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson was barred from competing in the Tokyo Games after testing positive for cannabis. This came on the heels of an amazing Olympic Trials performance in which Richardson qualified for the women’s 100-yard dash in dominating fashion. She collapsed in tears into her grandmother’s arms afterward.

Her emotions were realer than real — Richardson’s mother had passed away just days before the qualifying races.

“Banned lists are usually comprised of performance enhancers, cannibus has been stigmatized in many different ways, but performance enhancer has never been one of them. It’s time for the Olympic committee to change these rules” ~Al Harrington #TheRematch https://t.co/WHRwVBqxpl pic.twitter.com/iI5WUai18M
— Etan Thomas (@etanthomas36) July 10, 2021

In the fallout from the news, superstar athletes like Dwyane Wade, Natasha Cloud, and Patrick Mahomes voiced support for Richardson, and a MoveOn.org petition entitled “Let Sha’Carri Run!” has collected nearly 600,000 signatures as of this writing. Her suspension and effective ban only added even more accelerant to the flames of a debate that refuses to go away: the question of what cannabis’ ultimate role in sports ought to be.

Notably, Richardson’s positive marijuana test was a product of using the substance in Oregon, where the practice is legalized. But as of now, it’s not permitted in any form by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), which oversees all drug testing for Team USA.

Weed and its related products and preparations are not “performance-enhancing drugs,” full stop. They do not artificially enhance athletic performance or grant physical advantages over competitors.

And as the country loosens its stance on cannabinoids at long last — 36 states permit medical use and 18 allow recreational use — USADA’s official list of banned substances looks not just obsolete, but inane.

And to help zero in on the state of marijuana and hemp in sports, Boardroom caught up with Al Harrington, a former NBA veteran and cannabis industry entrepreneur. Harrington is the founder of Viola, a company that creates products for recreational and therapeutic use, and is one of the leading advocates for cannabinoid-based wellness.

In light of Richardson’s plight and the return of the Olympics, he provided valuable insight on what’s in store in the months and years to come. “Her ban really highlights the need for the USADA and Olympics as a whole to revisit the rules and regulations and determine what needs to be updated to reflect modern-day society,” he told Boardroom. “When you think of the impact the other drugs have on your body in comparison to cannabis, there’s no question that it shouldn’t be included on [USADA’s] list.”

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A post shared by Viola (@viola)

“Professional athletes put their bodies through so much to compete at that level, and we should be able to medicate ourselves safely. Everybody is different, [but] I personally use cannabis for pain relief, relaxation, and sleep,” he said. “Towards the end of my career after all my surgeries and previous injuries, had I been able to use cannabis, I fully believe that I could’ve played another three to four years. The research is just getting started on how the medicinal qualities of cannabis can benefit athletes and people in general. It’s important that we get rid of the stigma around cannabis use so we can get more research.”

“In the cannabis industry, you never know what to expect. I fell in love with the plant and it changed my life… we knew we wanted to create opportunities for people who look like us.”

We spoke with Al Harrington in honor of Viola’s 10-year milestone.https://t.co/6DPOKCLjJ3
— Boardroom (@boardroom) May 10, 2021

But breaking through that stigma — one that disproportionately harms historically oppressed communities — requires fundamental, systemic change. Cannabis is generally classified alongside other, more harmful drugs like heroin, MDMA, and cocaine both by sports regulators and national governments. According to USADA, this is due to cannabinoids being “abused by society outside of the context of sports.”

Harrington insists that such a designation is dangerously outdated.

“The negative stigma surrounding cannabis is rooted in outdated and racist thinking that serves no purpose for the general public, and I would hope we’ve moved past as a society,” he said.

Progress has definitely been made towards full legalization and decriminalization of cannabis. Alongside the tremendous research now going into the benefits of use, tangible forward momentum has been created. But there is a long way to go and hopefully governing bodies in the United States recognize the true gain of cannabis use helps athletes in ways that do not harm themselves or others.

In the big picture, Harrington has hope. But despite all the progress made both legally and culturally with regards to cannabis, it’s hard to look at the Sha’Carri Richardson fiasco and not see a debacle that USADA, the International Olympic Committee, and USA Track and Field could have taken measures to avoid.

“We’re moving in the right direction, but there’s still progress to be made and a lot of that can be done with proper education and a willingness to have open and honest conversations,” Harrington said.

The post Sha’Carri Richardson and the Long Road to Marijuana Reform in Sports appeared first on Boardroom.

Los Angeles is Ready to Host the Olympics Right Now.

Shlomo Sprung — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 15:28:00 +0000

“We have the facilities. Our fans are here. Our volunteers are just waiting for the moment to volunteer,” LA28 Chief Athlete Officer Janet Evans tells Boardroom.

The Tokyo Summer Olympics mark their opening ceremonies Friday, but at this point, perhaps the Games shouldn’t be taking place at all.

According to Reuters, more than 15,000 have died from COVID-19 in Japan since the coronavirus pandemic began. Japan has administered just over 70 million vaccine doses to date, which would account for just 27.7% of the country’s population. A state of emergency was declared in Tokyo and will remain throughout the duration of the Games, with no spectators allowed at the game due to COVID fears. More than 60 Olympic athletes are COVID positive already, and we’re still three days from the opening ceremony.

The people of Japan don’t even want the Olympics there. An Ipsos poll conducted last week showed that a whopping 78% of Japanese residents don’t think the summer Olympics in Tokyo should proceed. And on Tuesday, the head of Tokyo 2020’s organizing committee didn’t rule canceling Games entirely at the last minute.

Luckily, we at Boardroom have the perfect solution:

Move the Games to Los Angeles, which is already preparing to host the Summer Games in 2028.

“I think we in Los Angeles can host an incredible Olympics and Paralympic Games at any moment,” Janet Evans, the chief athlete officer for LA28, told Boardroom.

Take a look for yourself:

Visualizing venue locations if Los Angeles hosted this year’s Tokyo Olympics

“We have the facilities. We’re not having any new builds,” Evans said. “It’s woven through the fabric of our community. Our fans are here, a diverse group of fans from all over the world. Our volunteers are just waiting for the moment to volunteer. So we could host an Olympics and a Paralympics and do a great job.”

Since LA28 doesn’t actually need to build a single new venue, the infrastructure is already in place to host an Olympic Games. All they need are enough volunteers — and contingencies for dealing with Los Angeles’ absolutely insane traffic — and the 2020 Games could be rescued from the terrible situation it’s in right now.

Don’t overthink it: The most reliable choice for a venue is one that’s already built.

Los Angeles’ Olympic Games will use venues like SoFi Stadium, LA Memorial Coliseum, Dignity Health Sports Park, the Forum, and the Rose Bowl, as well as downtown areas like LA Live and the USC campus. The Long Beach Arena and waterfront and Santa Monica beach are able to host additional events, with the UCLA campus serving as the Athletes’ Village.

2028 feels like ages and ages away. But at a dangerous, perilous moment in time for Tokyo, Los Angeles is ready to host the Olympic Games this year, right now.

And if things continue to trend on their current course out in Japan, Southern California will only get more attractive.

The post Los Angeles is Ready to Host the Olympics Right Now. appeared first on Boardroom.

In a New Era for Athlete Brands, Where Do the Olympics Fit in?

Sam Dunn — Mon, 19 Jul 2021 14:59:00 +0000

“The Serenas and Simones of the world know that their participation is a choice, not a necessity,” Thirty Five Ventures CMO Sarah Flynn writes in Sports Business Journal.

This week in Tokyo, the Olympics are open for business once again, but in a way we’ve never quite seen before. First of all, zero spectators. Second, it’s been five years since the last Summer Games.

Perhaps most importantly, we’re in the midst of a whole new era in which more and more athletes are taking brand-building into their own hands. And as Thirty Five Ventures Chief Marketing Officer Sarah Flynn wrote this week at Sports Business Journal, we’re only at the earliest stage of being able to reckon with what that means for the Olympics in the long term.

https://twitter.com/flynnwaslike/status/1417128494891479045?s=20

Read an excerpt of Flynn’s feature, “Tokyo 2021: Whole New Games”:

“I made this statement about a month ago when our team at Boardroom was discussing her place in the sports marketing world after Biles once again made history by winning the US Gymnastics Championships for the seventh time. We all agreed that this statement is not merely hyperbole. It’s clear that Biles’ accomplishments — which as of 2021 consist mostly of breaking her own records and creating moves that perhaps only she will ever be able to land — make her one of the greatest athletes of all time.

“From a marketing standpoint, she’s been able to uniquely leverage not only her achievements, but her personality. She left Nike earlier this year for a larger opportunity with Athleta, where she can own her own performance wear line. She’s been featured across so many Uber Eats ads that her face has become synonymous with the brand. And she’s remained one of the most visible athletes in America despite not having participated in an Olympic Games in five years.

“As the postponed Tokyo Olympics finally arrive, one might think that the sense of anticipation would be doubled given that we had to wait another year for the Games to begin. However, the opposite seems to be true.“

Read more of Flynn’s article at SBJ, and follow her on Twitter @flynnwaslike.

The post In a New Era for Athlete Brands, Where Do the Olympics Fit in? appeared first on Boardroom.

Designing a Dynasty: The Art and Science of Nike’s Team USA Olympic Fits

Sam Dunn — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 16:22:00 +0000

Going behind the scenes of the Swoosh’s Tokyo looks for USA Women’s Basketball and the USWNT

On July 21, the US Women’s National Soccer Team opens Olympic play against Sweden. On July 27, Team USA Women’s Basketball tips off their campaign against Nigeria.

When they do, each will be decked out in new Nike uniforms meant to pay homage to their historic dominance over the years while putting them in the best position to add another successful chapter to their stories in Japan.

“We were really inspired by these two great dynasties in all of sports,” Tania Flynn, VP of Women’s Apparel Design at Nike, told Boardroom. “There’s so much storytelling to pull from considering their journey and their legacies that we represented in their uniform design.”

The Team USA Women’s Basketball “Red Dynasty” jersey for the Tokyo Summer Olympics

In all of Olympic lore, there’s really no legacy that compares to that of US Women’s National Basketball Team, which seeks an unprecedented seventh straight gold medal. Nike’s “Red Dynasty” uniform skees to capture the team’s multiple generations of success dating back to the watershed Atlanta Olympics in 1996 — and all the passion that comes with it.

“What we do best as a Nike design team is add that layer of storytelling,” Flynn said. “So if you think about the Women’s USA Basketball team, their away jersey is a red uniform that only they wear — the men’s US basketball team doesn’t have one — that really originated with the historic ’96 team that began this winning streak.”

The uniform’s design contains multiple references, some more subtle than others, to that breakthrough group that included the likes of Lisa Leslie, Dawn Staley, and Sheryl Swoopes.

“There are 12 stars to represent the 12 women on the team. There’s a USA script mark on the short that’s the same font and wordmark that was on the ’96 Olympic team’s uniform,” Flynn said. “There’s a light blue stripe that goes around the neckline of the jersey that really references an olive wreath and the early Olympic Games.”

As for the ballers that will actually be wearing the Red Dynasty look, there’s a profound appeal in being able to carry all that history onto the court in Tokyo.

“Now seeing that I have my own jersey, it’s definitely full circle. I never would have imagined this. So it’s pretty cool that we’re paying homage to the ’96 team, because those are the ones that really cracked that glass ceiling,” Team USA and Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson said. “And now it’s up to us to shatter that thing. And I’m so happy that I’m a part of the shatter, because I’m all in there for that.”

Shattering ceilings has become an Olympic tradition for the women of USA Basketball. But while some things never change, there are technological innovations built into this uniform that weren’t exactly available 25 years ago.

“Part of that is our Nike Sports Research Lab. We’ve resourced NSRL in a way that really specifically focuses on the needs of women athletes. There’s the science piece, which we really geek out [on] using generative design and 4D design looking at the body in motion and being able to pinpoint where you need the most stretch. The most mobility. How you consider the heat of Tokyo and the sweat-wicking abilities, et cetera,” Flynn said.

“Then, there’s the athlete validation piece. You want to put it on the athletes and have them wear them and test them and really think about what their preferences are. What they feel comfortable in. And we make tweaks from there.”

Detail of the stars on the USA Women’s Basketball uniform representing the 12 members of the team
Detail of the neckline of the USA Women’s Basketball “Red Dynasty” jersey

As Flynn explained, athletes’ input is crucial to any successful design, as Nike’s goal is to foster a personal, emotional connection between elite competitors and their apparel. But once a garment is finalized and a USA superstar dons it under the bright lights, you don’t want them to be thinking about what they’re wearing at all.

“It is about providing for them the best-performing, most personally expressive uniform, so that when they put those on, they feel like they can take on the world. That it’s an extension of themselves, and then they don’t think about it. They’re just out there doing what they do,” she said.

And it may be that no one understands that locked-in mentality better than Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi, who are each on the hunt for an incredible fifth gold medal.

“When you put the red jersey on, [there’s] the weight of it — not physical weight, but the weight of knowing that you’re representing your entire country. You’re representing the best of the best, but you’re also representing all the players that have put that jersey on before you,” Bird said. “It’s pretty special. It’s pretty crazy, and especially for me, because growing up, that was the ultimate goal — to be an Olympian. So the first time I put it on, that was me achieving something. Now, every other time after that, that’s me trying to prove something”

“You just can’t explain it,” added Taurasi. “You can play for UConn. You can play for the Phoenix Mercury. You can play for Ekaterinburg, the best team in Europe for the last 10 years, and I’ve gotten to do all that. And then the minute you put on that, that USA jersey, all that seems to not matter. You’re literally playing basketball for every single person who plays basketball in the States. That’s how I feel.”

Stars in stripes

The new uniform is here!
https://t.co/0akegqRudX pic.twitter.com/OHiY5cJowq
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) June 16, 2021

On the soccer side of the Nike equation, the USWNT is in a scrappier kind of spot by comparison. They’ve won the last two World Cup championships in a row and boast four gold medals dating back to 1996, but skidded to a disappointing fifth-place finish at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

But the last thing the rest of the world needs is a US Women’s Soccer Team with some extra motivation.

And as they embark on a rare revenge tour this month, their garb will signal that the team we’re all about to see is not the one that fell short of the medal stand in Brazil.

It’s a remix.

“When we think about the US Women’s National [Soccer] Team, they have featured on their jersey four stars that represent four Olympic gold medals and four World Cup victories. And so their uniform design is a little bit more of a distorted, modern graphic take on the stars and stripes,” Flynn said.

In bringing its Olympic soccer designs to life, Nike collected insights from over 300 players and used cutting-edge digital visualization techniques to precision-engineer the look. The result is a uniform that’s 13% more breathable than previous editions, and that permits 10% more stretch and 55% faster wicking.

An iconic brand like the USWNT, which is likely witnessing one last Olympic hurrah from national heroes Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe, deserves nothing less.

They’re two of the greatest dynasties in all of sports. Not women’s sports — all of sports. These women are bold, they’re expressive, they’re iconic, and they’re inspiring,” Flynn said. “I think that with the Women’s National [Soccer] Team and the USA basketball team, for individuals that haven’t been paying attention to them, it’s going to be amazing to see how they show up at the Olympics.”

Two global brands. Both historically great. But just as with Nike’s ever-evolving approach to apparel design,, perfection isn’t a destination — it’s motivation.

And the personal, emotional verve with which each team’s superstars represent themselves in Tokyo in pursuit of the perfect performance has infinite power to inspire new generations just as the iconic ’96 teams did for the current one.

“I think [they’re] going to inspire more people out there to get out and play who maybe otherwise wouldn’t,” Flynn said. “That positive influence in getting people, especially girls, more active, is a win-win for everyone.”

The post Designing a Dynasty: The Art and Science of Nike’s Team USA Olympic Fits appeared first on Boardroom.

Exclusive: 2028 Los Angeles Olympics Reveal Superstar Athlete Advisors

Shlomo Sprung — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 11:59:00 +0000

Allyson Felix, Apolo Ohno, and Janet Evans highlight LA28’s decorated Athletes Commission.

While most sports fans know that the Tokyo Olympics start in less than two weeks, they may not be aware that the Summer Games are coming back to the US in 2028. Los Angeles, to be exact.

And led by five-time Olympic medalist and Chief Athlete Officer Janet Evans, the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games announced a star-studded list of 18 Olympic and Paralympic legends on Monday that will serve on the Games’ Athletes Commission.

Led by medal-winning icons Allyson Felix, Apolo Ohno, Adam Rippon, Nastia Liukin, and Scout Bassett, the Athletes Commission — featuring an equal number of Olympic and Paralympic greats — will act as strategic advisors for expanding athlete services and experiences ahead of the 2028 Games, creating development opportunities for their fellow Olympians before, during and after the event.

“Athletes are the heart of our Games’ planning, and will be the heart of our Games. They’re our greatest stakeholder,” Evans, a four-time gold medalist, told Boardroom. “So we want the voice of the athlete and we want the opinion of the athlete and we want the expertise of the athlete to be front and center within our organization. There’s really no better way to do that than to bring a group of Olympians and Paralympians together who each on their own have strong, powerful voices within our movement.”

GIF via LA28

LA28 Athletes Commission Members

Olympians Felix, Liukin, Ohno, Queen Harrison, Ibtihaj Muhammad, Adam Rippon, Alex Shibutani, Howard Shu, and Brenda Villa
Paralympians Bassett, Samantha Bosco, Allison Compton, Lex Gillette, Alana Nichols, Ileana Rodriguez, Rico Roman, Oscar “Oz” Sanchez. and Ahkeel Whitehead.
Muffy Davis, Anita DeFrantz, and Michael Johnson will advise as ex-oficio members.

Evans will bring the commission, comprised of a diverse group of Olympic greats with Los Angeles roots, in for the first time in September to gather ideas and thoughts on programming and what LA can do differently. Her goal is to foster an attitude of creativity, boldness, and empowerment to help the future Olympians at these Games live out a once-in-a-lifetime experience in the most memorable, powerful way possible.

“Resilience, strength, reinvention, adaptation. These are the qualities that push athletes to chase a spot on the podium and fulfill their wildest dreams,” two-time gold medalist Ohno told Boardroom. “I’m incredibly excited for the opportunity to help plan the LA28 Games as an Athlete Commission Member and empower the next generation of Olympians and Paralympians to chase their dreams on a global stage.”

“Every Olympics provides athletes with the basics,” Evans said, “a place to sleep, [get] food, a venue, and a place to train. What the Athletes Commission will try to accomplish is to be additive on top of that. How can LA28 push the envelope and provide the athletes with a richer experience, bringing them things they’ve never had before?”

Evans wants every athlete to have the opportunity to secure event tickets for their friends and families, feel welcome, and avoid impediments in getting to Southern California. She’d like every athlete to have the opportunity to meet one another regardless of sport, and wants the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games to provide a stepping stone to the future, whether that’s continuing on to the next Olympics or embracing a career transition opportunity that will extend far beyond one’s competitive days.

“Whether representing myself or my country, I’ve always challenged the status quo,” 2018 medalist Rippon told Boardroom. “As a Games, LA28 has done the same and challenged us to think differently about what is possible for this city and the Olympic Movement. My role with the Athlete Commission allows me to be a part of the ever-progressing culture of Los Angeles and I look forward to using my voice to help plan one of the most meaningful Games yet.”

For the time being, Evans maintains that no idea from the Athletes Commission is too crazy or too out-there to help create an amazing Games. LA is more than big enough for it — the Olympics are part of the city’s DNA having played host twice dating all the way back to 1932.

“[The athletes] understand what we’re doing, they understand our vision, and I’m excited to hear what they have to say about how we can do the Games differently and leave a lasting impact that transfers on to future games as well,” Evans said. “And they’re not conforming. They’re very bold, strong voices. So we’re excited.”

The post Exclusive: 2028 Los Angeles Olympics Reveal Superstar Athlete Advisors appeared first on Boardroom.

Sha’Carri Richardson, NIL, & the Pressure to Go Pro

Bernadette Doykos — Thu, 08 Jul 2021 15:16:38 +0000

The Olympics have a problem. But thanks to NIL, rising star athletes won’t have to face all the same challenges Sha’Carri Richardson has.

At the start of July, the NCAA began to dismantle the antiquated systems that prevented college athletes from making money off their name, image, and likeness. The move came after years of pressure from critics, a major decision passed down by the Supreme Court, and several NIL laws passed in individual states.

Countless amateur athletes are already cashing in without incident, further exposing how bizarre and senseless the NCAA’s business model was all along.

If you haven’t seen it yet, @itskerrii’s race at the Olympic Trials is something to behold—but her grace and grit in this interview might be even more special. We are all so proud of you, Sha’Carri! Can't wait to see what you do in Tokyo! pic.twitter.com/QPbAQLzF7d
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) June 22, 2021

Simultaneously, American track star Sha’Carri Richardson was stripped of her chance to compete for the gold at the Tokyo Summer Olympics for reasons that feel similarly bizarre and senseless.

Let’s explore how all this is related.

The 21-year-old phenom has drawn comparisons to Florence Griffith-Joyner due to her incredible speed and singular style, and tore up the Olympic Trials with blazing performances in the 100 meters. However, as is standard practice for top-three finalists, Richardson was drug tested. Marijuana was found in her system. And while she was handed the shortest possible suspension, it prevents her from competing in qualifying heats for the 100 in Tokyo.

And on Tuesday, USA Track and Field squashed any hopes she had for an Olympic appearance at all when she was left off of the 4×100 relay team.

The decision came just weeks after Richardson went viral upon proclaiming herself “that girl” when she flew past her competition to secure a spot in the 100 meters despite a faulty start, solidifying herself as one of the brightest, most marketable stars of the upcoming Summer Games.

At first glance, the Richardson and NIL storylines may seem to have little to do with one another. But I find myself wondering if Richardson, who departed college at LSU in 2019 after just one year, would have been more inclined to stay in school if she had been permitted to earn sponsorship, endorsement, and licensing money, thereby facing less pressure to turn pro.

pic.twitter.com/tucZ41upkW
— Sha’Carri Richardson (@itsshacarri) June 12, 2019

We’re not in the business of second-guessing any athlete’s decision to achieve the dream of competing professionally, and the NCAA system often makes a mockery out of higher education. But if Richardson could have taken advantage of today’s NIL environment just a couple short years ago, would this story currently playing out before us have at least a chance of having a different ending?

For years, top-tier college athletes have been forced into making the decision either to remain empty-pocketed in college or pursue professional sports and all the economic opportunities that come along with them — with no real third option. That’s a ton of strain to place on a kid that’s likely not yet old enough to order a beer at the very arenas in which they compete.

In basketball, “one-and-done” became increasingly popular in men’s NCAA basketball following David Stern and the NBA’s 2005 decision to prohibit athletes from entering the pros directly from high school. In recent years, we have seen a number of athletes skirt the NCAA. With the rise of programs like G League Ignite, and Overtime Elite, rising basketball stars can sidestep the pressure of making a life-altering, no-turning-back decision.

Although the one-and-done model doesn’t apply to every sport, Richardson and her Tigers teammate, pole vaulter, Mondo Duplantis, both left Baton Rouge to pursue a world championship at the end of the 2019 season. Given track and field’s status as a “non-revenue sport” and the limited opportunities to build a personal brand as a college runner, the decision was made and that was that.

FOREVER LSU Without LSU my journey would have never been the same, thank y’all !! https://t.co/kpy4gUEkHO
— Sha’Carri Richardson (@itsshacarri) July 8, 2021

As a freshman, Richardson set two U20 records at the NCAA Outdoor Track Championships and was the even’s highest-scoring athlete overall. Her decision to turn pro may have been fueled by a belief that she had accomplished what she had set out to do as a collegian.

Her second-place finish in the 200 meters suggests that she still had some room to grow on the track, however, and at just 19 years of age, there was perhaps more to gain from the collective support a major college team provides.

To be clear, simply being part of an amateur team doesn’t have anything to do with one’s marijuana consumption. More importantly, any “she should have stayed in school” argument totally fails to address the outdated policies that have driven this decision and others — policies that go far beyond just controlled substances.

With the recent, major changes in NCAA policy, athletes will ideally be able to make decisions about their transitions from college to professional athletics in a manner that’s more holistic and less urgent. Additionally, with the rise of the ecosystem of technology and expertise around NIL, student-athletes have access to robust support systems to help them consider all the options that are out there and the impact each stands to have on their futures.

Envisioning Richardson’s Tokyo Olympic cycle in a world in which she could have monetized NIL in college is not possible. However, one thing is for sure: She remains THAT GIRL, a brand that one day might feel much bigger than the 2020 Summer Games altogether.

With that in mind, while it is a collective loss for Team USA fans and track enthusiasts worldwide that she will be unable to take the starting blocks in Tokyo, it’s a terrific bet that the greatest episodes of her story are merely beginning to unfold.

The post Sha’Carri Richardson, NIL, & the Pressure to Go Pro appeared first on Boardroom.

Lindsey Vonn’s Olympic Mission for Mental Health

Shlomo Sprung — Mon, 05 Jul 2021 15:02:00 +0000

“It’s something we should be openly talking about. The more we help each other, the happier we’ll be,” the skier tells Boardroom.

Lindsey Vonn is one of the most decorated skiers of all time. She’s the winner of four overall World Cup titles, a record 82 World Cup races, and three Olympic medals over four games.

With the Tokyo Summer Games arriving later this month, she knows exactly what it’s like to prepare for the ultimate test. To shoulder all the pressure weighing on you every single day leading up to the biggest moment of your athletic life.

“The process never really stops,” she told Boardroom. “You’re on the world stage. Every single person is watching you, millions of people, and it can be very, very overwhelming. I know it was for me in my career.”

The toll the Olympic Games can take on an athlete not just physically, but mentally can become overwhelming — “Probably more so than anything else you’ll ever face in your career, potentially even in your life,” Vonn said.

“You can only have potentially one chance at this opportunity. You get one chance every four years, or sometimes one chance in your life to compete for 20, 40, 60 seconds. That’s so much pressure and so much preparation. A lifetime of preparation for one single moment.”

And that’s why Vonn has partnered with Allianz, the Tokyo Summer Games’ official insurance provider, as a global ambassador to help provide emotional support dogs to skateboarders as they prepare for the sport’s Olympic debut.

This cause is a personal one for Vonn. At her last Olympics, the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang, she brought her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Lucy, to Korea. That connection helped her grounded throughout not just that Olympic fortnight, but the final two years of her competitive career.

“It was a really easy way to kind of keep things simple to help give me a different perspective on someone or something that’s always excited to see me whether I win or lose,” she said.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by L I N D S E Y • V O N N (@lindseyvonn)

If the mental strain wasn’t heavy enough on these world-class athletes, they also had to train for two or three years straight only to have the Tokyo Games delayed a year due to COVID-19. Vonn sees this as having completely changed the Olympic dynamic, with injured athletes becoming active, some older athletes inching past their primes and unable to compete, and younger competitors getting an earlier-than-expected crack at their lifelong athletic dreams.

So, how would one of the all-time greats in winter sports have handled this delay?

“If it was later in my career, I would’ve been extremely disappointed, because for me and my injuries, I don’t have an extra year,” Vonn told Boardroom. “If I was in that position, I don’t know. It would be incredibly difficult to deal with. But again, if you want to succeed you’ll find a way through it. And I think all of the athletes are well-adapted to challenges.”

“I don’t think any athlete has gotten to the Olympics without significant challenge and adversity. I think we always find a way through it.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Allianz (@allianz)

And on top of training for the Olympics themselves, elite competitors like Vonn also have to balance business and sponsorship obligations so they can afford to pursue that ultimate dream in the first place. But her No. 1 priority was always her success on the slopes and sticking to precisely what she needed to do to prepare mentally and physically to compete. Her commercial responsibilities came after.

“I kind of fit it in wherever I could, as long as it wasn’t taking away from my performance,” Vonn said, “As an athlete, you have a really short shelf life, and you have to maximize every opportunity you have. And I was always aware of that from a very young age and early in my career. I used everything as an opportunity and to grow myself as a business and also my sport, and also at the same time trying to be a good role model.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by L I N D S E Y • V O N N (@lindseyvonn)

As an iconic performer on and off the slopes and one of the greatest competitors of the 21st century in any sport, some might find it surprising that most Olympic athletes don’t take advantage of the unique experiences and insight of a memorable champion like Lindsey Vonn by asking for advice.

That’s another barrier her latest campaign is working to tear down.

“A lot of athletes think it’s a sign of weakness to ask others for help, which it absolutely is not,” she said. “It’s always okay to ask for help and you should ask for help, to be honest.”

Vonn has advised Olympic golfers in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro when it was a first-time sport, and is doing so with skateboarders like Brazil’s Leticia Bufoni in the event’s first Olympic Games as part of the Allianz program.

“My advice to them was just keeping things simple and not getting distracted by everything that’s going on around them, but remembering why they are there and why they love the sport,” she said. “And hopefully, that helps them mentally to succeed.”

“Mental health is something that we should be openly talking about because the more we help each other, the happier we will all be.”

The post Lindsey Vonn’s Olympic Mission for Mental Health appeared first on Boardroom.

Nike Unveils “Rawdacious” Team USA Jerseys, Olympic Sneaker Colorways

Shlomo Sprung — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 17:00:00 +0000

The latest collection from the Swoosh will have Team USA athletes rolling into the Summer Games in style.

With just three weeks to go before the opening ceremony for the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Nike released major details on what several teams, countries, and athletes will be wearing, including plenty of Team USA reveals.

Perhaps most notable among them? All-new red USA Women’s Basketball jerseys, which feature navy and royal blue trim with vertical white stars set to be worn by superstars like Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, A’Ja Wilson, and Brittney Griner. The Swoosh calls this one the “Red Dynasty” jersey, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the iconic gold medal-winning 1996 Olympic team. The USA women’s basketball team has won every Olympic title since then, and seeks an incredible seventh consecutive gold medal at the upcoming Summer Games.

Nike also introduced its “Rawdacious” colorway, which will be heavily featured in Tokyo. It’s incorporated in looks for the Olympics’ newest event, skateboarding, as well as soccer, track and field, and basketball.

Team USA Women’s Basketball “Red Dynasty” uniform
Federation soccer kit
Team USA Track and Field kit
Team USA Track and Field kit

Rawdacious’ combination of white with bursts of pink, orange, and bright crimson is how the brand plans to “imbue deep cultural, psychological and emotional value in its footwear,” per Nike’s official release.

Part raw, part audacious. The recipe for gold medal glory in Japan.

Nike Tiempo Legend 9 Elite FG
Nike Air Zoom Speed 2
Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT%

Skateboarding will be a prominent storyline this summer, and Nike outfit the USA team in addition to Japan, Brazil, and France. The company partnered with Dutch artist Piet Parra to create uniforms in bright colors that incorporate the countries’ defining elements, like France’s Eiffel Tower and the mountainous topography of Brazil and Japan.

Nike SB X Parra Brasil skateboarding jersey
Nike SB X Quartersnacks Dunk
Nike SB X Quartersnacks Dunk Low
Nike SB X Parra Japan skateboarding jersey

The skate shoe collection includes exciting colorways for the SB X Quartersnacks Dunk Low, as well as the debut of the Sandy ZoomX Bruin, a skateboarding version of the 1972 Bruin, which incorporates modern performance technology like a ZoomX midsole and a full-length carbon plate. Stay tuned for the SandyZoomX Bruin next week.

The Rawdacious collection will release on Nike.com throughout the summer.

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Out of Office: Rich Kleiman & Kevin Durant Discuss the Playoffs, the Olympics, & More

Jonathan Wiener — Thu, 24 Jun 2021 15:33:05 +0000

Download and listen to the full episode and subscribe to the pod by clicking here.

Plus, KD looks ahead to the Olympics and discusses his new obsession with baseball.

The post Out of Office: Rich Kleiman & Kevin Durant Discuss the Playoffs, the Olympics, & More appeared first on Boardroom.

Tiffany Haddish Gets the Role of a Lifetime–and a Unique Challenge

Bernadette Doykos — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 17:28:11 +0000

The actress is producing and starring in a biopic on track and field legend Florence Griffith Joyner.

The Summer Olympics in Tokyo are less than 50 days away. But for Tiffany Haddish, the training for her most demanding, high-profile role to date is only getting started.

The outspoken comedian and actress announced last week that she is set to produce and star in a biopic about three-time Olympic gold medalist Florence Griffith Joyner.

For Haddish, who catapulted to stardom following 2017’s hit comedy Girls Trip, the film presents the opportunity to portray one of her personal “she-ros.” In an official statement, the actor said, “I am looking forward to telling Flo-Jo’s story the way it should be told.”

But telling that story will be no simple feat.

My Heart is so full Right now! I can’t even explain how hard I am going to work to honor Her Legacy! https://t.co/Ph4pdtkYii
— Tiffany Haddish (@TiffanyHaddish) June 3, 2021

After a historic stretch of wins in the late 1980s, the fastest woman of all time came to face questions about alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs. The accusations crescendoed in 1988 when she returned to set records at the Summer Olympics in Seoul after a brief hiatus from the track.

Throughout her career, she never once tested positive for a banned substance.

In 1998, three years after being inducted into the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame, Florence Griffith Joyner tragically of from complications from an epileptic seizure at the age of 38.

Haddish is collaborating with sports-oriented content studio game1 for the film. In a press release, game1 announced plans to create a corresponding documentary series and podcast in tandem with the silver screen release. The multi-platform effort will allow Flo-Jo fans to get an in-depth look into the sprinter’s life from multiple perspectives.

And with a performer at the helm best known for a comic persona that pulls zero punches, we can expect that the production team will not shy away from taking on the difficult questions that continue to be linked to the Olympic gold medalist’s legacy — and balancing all this with answering criticism from the peanut gallery about the film’s casting.

She is mine too. If I mess this up I will kick my own ass. #Facts
— Tiffany Haddish (@TiffanyHaddish) June 3, 2021

Flo-Jo dazzled track and field’s biggest stages with her signature style and blazing speed. At every race, she lived her personal motto: “Dress good to look good. Look good to feel good. And feel good to run fast.” And in 1988, Joyner became the world’s fastest woman in both the 100 meters and 200 meters at the US Olympic Trials and again at the Summer Olympic Games.

Her records of 10.49 seconds in the 100 and 21.34 seconds in the 200 still stand almost 35 years later.

But notably, her path to the podium was far less linear than her historic sprints to the finish line.

Flo-Jo attended California State University, Northridge, where she helped the team to a national championship in her first year. However, financial constraints forced her to drop out to support her family. She was working as a bank teller when her former coach, Bob Kersee, secured a scholarship for the speedy star and persuaded her to join him at UCLA.

Even her professional career was riddled with false starts. After the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, where she secured two silver medals, Flo-Jo returned to the bank and began doing nails part-time, skipping out on the 1985 World Championships. When she returned full-time to the sport in 1987, her significant improvement — paired with an overhaul of her physical appearance — left certain critics heaving accusations of PED use.

Flo-Jo abruptly retired from the sport in 1989, citing a desire to start a family in addition to tending to a healthy endorsement portfolio that included deals with companies like Mizuno, Toshiba, Proxy, Sally Hansen, Agfa, and LJN Toys worth over $2 million (about $4.5 million when adjusted for inflation). She also kept a speaking schedule that landed her upwards of $25,000 per appearance.

Despite the lingering controversy in some circles, her influence remains not just intact, but powerful long after her untimely death, both on and off the track. Today’s greatest sprinters, including up-and-coming phenom Sha’Carri Richardson, routinely cite Griffith Joyner as an inspiration and a role model. Earlier this year, Serena Williams teamed up with Nike to honor the late star with her one-legged look at the Australian Open.

Although the production team is still in the process of locking in the key details of the film, Haddish is already training for the role that stands to define the next phase of her career.

To prepare, she is being trained by Flo-Jo’s widower, former coach, and Olympic triple jump champion Al Joyner. He will also serve as a producer and a creative consultant on the film, granting his blessing of the retelling of his wife’s life story and working to ensure her lasting legacy.

“I am so elated to team up with game1 and Tiffany Haddish on this project,” Joyner said. “Working with Tiffany has been a great pleasure – she is incredibly dedicated, focused, and committed to portraying the spirit of Florence accurately, whose legacy of making a difference in the world will live on for generations to come. I hope that this film touches all who see it and inspires people to BE the change the world so desperately needs right now!”

It’s a special kind of challenge. But Haddish is committed to making sure that she’s the single biggest reason that Flo-Jo’s story becomes as far-reaching and impactful as her athletic records.

The post Tiffany Haddish Gets the Role of a Lifetime–and a Unique Challenge appeared first on Boardroom.

Simone Biles is Bigger Than the Olympics

Shlomo Sprung — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 17:11:34 +0000

With unreal star power that still hasn’t peaked, the Olympic Games need Simone Biles more than she needs them.

Simone Biles set yet another world record Sunday. The superstar won the national women’s all-around title at the US Gymnastics Championships.

For the seventh time.

It was another dominant performance for the four-time Olympic gold medalist, who’s already on her way to becoming the most successful and decorated gymnast in history.

Biles’ 119.650 overall score on Sunday in Fort Worth, Texas was a massive 4.7 points ahead of second-place Sunisa Lee. Her five gold medals at the 2019 world championships in Germany gave her 25 career medals in that competition, breaking the all-time record at age 22.

@Simone_Biles x #USGymChamps pic.twitter.com/GaNdUSiXjB
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) June 7, 2021

Right on cue, Biles is expected to be one of the most marketable and bankable athletes at the summer’s COVID-delayed Olympic Games in Tokyo. Gymnastics is fully expected to be one of the most-watched events yet again this summer, and no one drives the ratings like the 24-year-old American has over the last five years.

In fact, that special status combined with her reach, personal brand power, and how significantly better she is than every other gymnast on planet earth are only some of the reasons why Biles has become bigger than the Olympics themselves.

Not surprisingly, Biles keeps racking up lucrative business relationships and endorsements. She turned heads in April when she left Nike to build her own legacy as the face of Gap-owned sportswear brand Athleta. You’ve surely seen her in Uber Eats commercials with Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness, and she has other ongoing deals with brands like Beats by Dre, Visa, and Caboodles.

A recent list of the world’s most marketable athletes put out by SportsPro and powered by Nielsen’s athlete marketability assessment methodology ranked Biles 14th overall and second among all women.

Among the many reasons why Biles has grown so popular and larger-than-life is her breathtaking, unfathomably unprecedented degree of difficulty in the routines she attempts. At the US Classic in Indianapolis two weeks ago, she executed a move so bold and dangerous that no other competitor had even attempted it before — the Yurchenko double pike, which is traditionally only attempted by men.

It was her first competition in roughly 18 months.

Biles is so many lightyears ahead of other female gymnasts that it seems like she tries routines so daunting that she’s really just competing against herself. In so many ways, she’s playing a different sport entirely. She’s in a category all by herself. All told, her GOAT-level accomplishments in gymnastics at such a young age and her unique status as a household stands to transcend the Olympics.

At just 24, with athletes from across the sports world now extending their careers beyond what was previously possible due to modern medicine and advanced training, recovery, and wellness practices, Biles still figures to have many years to enhance her legacy and massive earning potential even further.

At this point, it’s fair and safe to say that the Olympic Games need Simone Biles much more than she needs them.

The post Simone Biles is Bigger Than the Olympics appeared first on Boardroom.

Out of Office: Claressa Shields, 2x Olympic Gold Medalist & Pro Boxing Legend, on Making Her MMA debut

Jonathan Wiener — Wed, 26 May 2021 15:55:52 +0000

In 2012, as a high school junior from Flint, Michigan, Claressa Shields qualified for the Olympics and won a gold medal in boxing. “T-Rex” won another in 2016, becoming the first US boxer to win gold at consecutive Olympic Games. As a pro, she’s undefeated and widely regarded as the best female pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

Seeking a new challenge, she’s signed a deal with the Professional Fighters League and is now training for her MMA debut. On June 3, ESPN+ begins streaming a four-part series about her bid to become an MMA fighter, with a live broadcast of her bout on June 10.

Her compelling story has also been the subject of a documentary, T-Rex: Her Fight for Gold, and is being developed into a motion picture written by Oscar winner Barry Jenkins and directed by Oscar nominee Rachel Morrison, the cinematographer for Black Panther.

In this episode of Boardroom’s “Out of Office” podcast, she talks to Rich and Gianni about her tough upbringing in Flint Michigan, her father’s role in introducing her to boxing, her admiration for Serena Williams, and the challenges of training in multiple disciplines to prepare for her first MMA fight.

The post Out of Office: Claressa Shields, 2x Olympic Gold Medalist & Pro Boxing Legend, on Making Her MMA debut appeared first on Boardroom.

Ralph Lauren, MLB Collaborate on Limited Edition Apparel Collection

Bernadette Doykos — Tue, 11 May 2021 20:53:00 +0000

The iconic American brand will work with multiple fan-favorite teams and launch a nationwide promotional tour.

There’s no elegance like timeless elegance. With that in mind, a new apparel collaboration between two iconic American institutions — Ralph Lauren and Major League Baseball — is as natural as Roy Hobbs.

This week, Ralph Lauren unveiled a capsule collection featuring apparel for a select group of MLB teams: The New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, and St. Louis Cardinals. This is the first in a series of releases to take place throughout the course of the 2021 season.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with MLB to design capsules across some of baseball’s most iconic teams and to celebrate the nation’s favorite pastime,” Chief Innovation and Branding Officer and Vice Chairman of the Board David Lauren told Boardroom. “Our collaboration is both an incredible opportunity and a very natural partnership between two of America’s most iconic brands that have deep, rich histories.”

Inspired by tradition and sportsmanship, our #PoloMLB collection features special-edition Polo shirts, baseball caps, and jackets

Explore our full collection in collaboration with @MLB: https://t.co/dOzdcdlRQg

/© 2021 MLB pic.twitter.com/iLLdD3SJda
— Ralph Lauren (@RalphLauren) May 10, 2021

This isn’t the brand’s first foray onto the baseball diamond. A Bronx native, Ralph Lauren himself was invited to throw out the first pitch at his beloved Yankee Stadium to commemorate the celebrated brand’s 50th anniversary in 2018. A limited collection of New York Yankees gear was released as part of the festivities.

It sold out almost immediately.

The new capsule collection will feature signature pieces including classic takes on traditional baseball apparel, from bullpen jackets to New Era headwear.

“For the first collection, we wanted to design pieces that baseball fans would love and wear: baseball hats, satin baseball jackets, polo shirts, and hoodies,” David Lauren said. “We also wanted to stay true to the teams’ colors to get followers really excited about the collaboration, while injecting a bit of our iconic Ralph Lauren colors in there as well.”

Additionally, fans can look forward to a limited run of team-themed Polo Bear items.

To publicize the collaboration, Ralph Lauren will also be deploying “Ralph’s Airstream” on a cross-country road trip, making stops at some of the game’s most iconic landmarks and offering fans ballpark-themed refreshments.

Additionally, they will be teaming up with local artists to create murals in several cities across the United States and launching a digital collectibles campaign inspired by vintage trading cards.

The MLB venture becomes the most recent addition to Ralph Lauren’s extensive sports portfolio. Just last month, the brand released Team USA’s official closing ceremony fits for the upcoming Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

For those waiting on their favorite teams to get the Polo treatment, additional releases are coming up during the MLB playoff push this fall, as well as the 2021 holiday season.

“For the next two collections, we are excited to surprise everyone with uniquely different capsules that showcase even more of the Ralph Lauren DNA and will hopefully keep fans wanting more,” David Lauren told Boardroom.

The items will be available at select team souvenir shops across the country, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, and online at RalphLauren.com and MLBShop.com.

The post Ralph Lauren, MLB Collaborate on Limited Edition Apparel Collection appeared first on Boardroom.

Just Women’s Sports is Closing the Gap and Changing the Game

Bernadette Doykos — Mon, 10 May 2021 17:00:44 +0000

Thirty Five Ventures is among investors in the sports media platform’s seed funding round.

Just Women’s Sports, the fastest-growing media platform focused on women’s athletics today, announced $3.5 million in seed funding Monday.

Led by Will Ventures and joined by Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman’s Thirty Five Ventures, DraftKings, OVO Fund, Supernode Global, and top athletes like Kelley O’Hara, Elena Delle Donne, Arike Ogbunowale, and Hilary Knight, the fundraising is an exciting step forward for JWS.

Founded by former Stanford soccer star Haley Rosen in 2020, Just Women’s Sports is a leader in news and analysis for the WNBA, NWSL, college sports, Olympic sports, and beyond, featuring podcasts, video series, and exclusive interviews.

Just Women’s Sports — the fastest growing media platform for women’s sports — has raised $3.5M in seed funding.

The round was led by @willventures and included:

—@KDTrey5 & @richkleiman’s @35Ventures
—@DriveByDK
—@ovofund
—@De11eDonne
—@sammymewy
—@kelleymohara
—@Arike_O pic.twitter.com/fT316eVoTn
— Boardroom (@boardroom) May 10, 2021

“The audience for women’s sports is both massive and growing, despite a lack of investment in quality coverage,” said Rosen, who also serves as Just Women Sports’ CEO. “For women’s sports to take the next step, the games have to be more accessible and there also needs to be more content around the games, including news, highlights, analysis, and storytelling. Even when they can find a game to watch, fans of women’s sports are too often left wondering who they’re watching and what’s at stake. Just Women’s Sports is here to change that.”

In addition to providing in-depth women’s sports coverage and analysis, the brand has assembled an impressive roster of talent for their original programming, including World Cup winners O’Hara and Sam Mewis, USWNT teammate and NWSL champion Lynn Williams, and NWSL star and New Zealand international Ali Riley. Later this month, WNBA stars A’ja Wilson and Napheesa Collier will bring their popular “Tea with A and Phee” podcast to the network.

Two-time World Cup champion Kelley O’Hara hosts the “Just Women’s Sports Podcast”

Although the participation rate in sports across gender lines is just about 50/50, women receive less than 4% of sports media coverage. JWS seeks to launch women’s sports into the mainstream, and this recent round of funding brings that goal further into focus.

“In order to grow women’s sports, fans need to see how great the games are, and they shouldn’t have to look hard to do that,” said Thirty Five Ventures co-founder and two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant. “Just Women’s Sports is creating a much-needed platform centered around game and player highlights and analysis that shows fans exactly how good these players are and why they’re worth watching.”

With the successful round of fundraising, Just Women’s Sports becomes the first female-led media company to be fully funded by venture capital. With this added momentum, Just Women’s Sports will continue to build out not just its editorial operation, but its production and executive teams. Recent hires have included former Google and Uber Eats exec Ali Braverman (Head of Revenue), former ESPN producer Ashley Braband (Head of Content and Production), and former Athletic editor Hannah Withiam (Managing Editor).

The JWS squad just got a whole lot deeper.

We’re stoked to announce a new team of investors, which includes @KDTrey5, @De11eDonne, @HilaryKnight, @Arike_O, @kelleymohara, and @sammymewy. pic.twitter.com/ueGk8mQNhQ
— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) May 10, 2021

“I’m so excited for what Haley is building with Just Women’s Sports. I believe in her and her vision for this company and platform,” said WNBA champion and two-time league MVP Elena Delle Donne. “We know fans of women’s sports are an underserved audience, and there’s a huge opportunity for growth. I’m beyond thrilled to be part of what they’re doing.”

As founder and CEO, Rosen’s vision for what the women’s sports media landscape can and should be is what has animated Just Women’s Sports since its launch last year — and ultimately what attracted a star-studded group of investors.

“We’re excited about this investment in Just Women’s Sports not only because we recognize the huge opportunity for growth in the space, but because Haley is exactly the kind of founder we want to be in business with,” said Thirty Five Ventures co-founder Rich Kleiman. “She uniquely understands what’s missing in the conversations around women’s sports, and she’s also building her business with incredible knowledge and foresight.”

In so many ways, the game is changing. And the best is yet to come.

Find Just Women’s Sports online, subscribe to their newsletter, and follow on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube.

The post Just Women’s Sports is Closing the Gap and Changing the Game appeared first on Boardroom.

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