Pickleball is growing in popularity in the US, especially among retired individuals. This is because it is a great way to stay active, socialize with others, and have fun. Today, there is a very strong Pickleball community as there are more than 2 million people playing this unique sport in the US. The International Pickleball Federation has ranked the US number one in terms of the number of tournaments, the number of players, the number of courts, and the number of new courts being built.

As of July 1st of 2021, under the new name, likeness, and image (NIL) rule, college athletes are now able to partner with companies and make money out of endorsements deals. To keep it short, NIL is the beginning of a new era, giving athletes and brands the much wanted "go ahead" to partner, as well as opening an entire new market of opportunities. With over 300 accepted college-athlete completed deals through our platform, a total cash value of $40,242, and a total product value of $98,687, we are planning to keep leading the market introducing more efficient ways to help both our brands and athletes to find their perfect fit. We believe that NIL endorsements deals will get bigger and bigger, so here below are some highlights of the top NIL college-athlete deals that have been closed so far.

There are over 480,000 NCAA athletes in the world of college athletics. With the new rules surrounding NIL, college athletes are hungrier than ever for potential sponsorship deals. We have also been making big moves to ensure that brands and athletes stay NIL compliant in order to have the best possible partnerships. Especially with holiday promotions available for brands, the possibilities for marketing are endless. 

Skincare Brands - Athletes/Influencers Winning Combo? 

The win-win deal that makes this partnership perfect. Here's why!

The 2021 NFL Season is officially back and in FULL SWING! This year's 18-week season kicked off with the defending champs the Tampa Bay Buccaneers winning a shootout vs. the Dallas Cowboys. Dak Prescott looked absolutely impressive in his first game back from a gruesome ankle injury last season, but the ever so familiar Brady-Gronk connection was too strong, and the GOATs' late game heroics saw the Bucs take their first W of the season. Week 1 closed out in an absolute nail-biter, following a WILD walk off touchdown from Derek Carr and Zay Jones, edging Lamar Jackson and the Ravens in OT.

Social media has become an integral part of a professional athlete's career and female athletes seem to possess some of the larger followings, giving them strong influence. Not only can this help the individual athlete but it can be a powerful tool in highlighting women's sport, bringing more interest and additional coverage.  Female athletes can also evoke change in other ways by being an influencer, such as by using their own personal stories to inspire others. “The stakeholders on the commercial side of sports are constantly searching for the next frontier, the next growth play,” Dan Cohen, who leads sports marketing company Octagon’s media rights consulting division, said in an email. “It is clearly women’s sports.”

Every athlete has a diet that works for them, but being healthy and fueling their body is key to their success. There has been a growing number of athletes who have moved to a more vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. Many of the athletes who have made the diet and lifestyle change now swear by it. This is not an easy change as professional athletes need to work with nutritionists to ensure they have the proper balance in their diet that would enable them to maintain their physique and to maintain a high level of performance for their sport. In fact a study published in 2015 in the American Journal of Health Promotion found that a plant-based diet can boost physical health and emotional well-being. As the lifestyle change has brought positives to many of the athlete's lives they often share recipes etc. with their fans and teammates.

Want to work with the stars of tomorrow? OpenSponsorship & INFLCR's striking deal makes it possible!

Let's celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in sport by highlighting OpenSponsorship's star athletes!

Representation and awareness in the sports industry has been on the rise, and athletes in every sport imaginable have proven that they have the passion, skill, and strength to be stars in their designated sport. Partnering with LGBTQ+ athletes will not only enable you to directly connect with the community but can also bring positive sentiment to your brand. 37% of consumers feel positive about companies and brands that promote diversity and actively support LGBT communities in their advertising and marketing, according to professional LGBT network OUTstanding. These athletes have not only stepped up to be role models but they have also proven to be trendsetters as well. So, there are many positives to consider when thinking about working with one of our LGBTQ+ inclusive athletes.