Athlete Ally and adidas Announce Partnership Expansion
July 26, 2022 —To celebrate the 50th year of Title IX, adidas announced a series of brand initiatives and commitments aimed at creating a more equitable and inclusive future of sport. Commencing with the signing of 15 female student-athletes to name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals across seven collegiate sports, the brand is further underscoring its commitment to women and LGBTQI+ athletes in sport through an expanded partnership with Athlete Ally to grow chapter footprints on college campuses.
In addition, adidas is partnering with Candace Parker to create a mentorship program that provides newly signed student-athletes with guidance as they navigate the NIL era.
This fall, adidas is expanding its partnership with Athlete Ally to facilitate outreach and workshops at eight adidas-partnered NCAA college campuses. This strategic investment will drive education, policy reform and organizing of student-athletes to spur equity on campus and in sport with the goal of expanding Athlete Ally’s network of college chapters.
Athlete Ally Campus Chapters are safe spaces at colleges and universities where student-athletes can come together to create and sustain inclusive LGBTQI+ athletic communities and imagine a more representative future of sport. Through these chapters, Athlete Ally and adidas will encourage fans, athletes, and students to engage in open conversations about fostering acceptance and allyship in sports.
Layshia Clarendon and Athlete Ally’s Founder Hudson Taylor joined adidas in discussing the importance of investing in an inclusive future of sport. Ally Love and Louisville women’s basketball head coach Jeff Walz hosted a discussion about why our actions matter and the value of allyship in sport at the brand’s Title IX celebration in New York City.
“I started Athlete Ally as a college wrestler, and I have seen firsthand the power of college athletes to model allyship and respect for their coaches, teammates, and fans,” said Hudson Taylor, Founder and Executive Director of Athlete Ally. “By equipping college athletes with the tools to champion LGBTQI+ inclusion on and off the playing field, Athlete Ally and adidas are working to shape the future of sport into what we know it can and should be. We are incredibly grateful to adidas for this partnership.”
As part of the growing partnership adidas will host an inaugural Athlete Leadership Summit with Athlete Ally at a partner campus, bringing together athlete ambassadors, athletic departments, student-athletes and advocates to discuss progress and the next steps in driving inclusivity nationwide.
Photo: Getty Images for adidas
Read the full announcement from adidas here.