Bandit Running provides short-term endorsement deals and unbranded gear for unsponsored Olympic hopefuls

From CNBC: 2024-06-29 08:00:01

At the U.S. Track & Field Olympic Trials, 35 unsponsored athletes are standing out in all-black, logo-less gear thanks to apparel company Bandit Running’s Unsponsored Project. The project offers short-term endorsement deals and unbranded apparel to up-and-coming athletes, challenging the traditional sponsorship model and providing support to Olympic hopefuls.

Bandit Running is giving at least 35 unsponsored runners two-week deals at the trials, offering unbranded apparel, cash to cover expenses, and a platform for exposure. Co-founder Tim West hopes this new sponsorship model will encourage brands to invest in sub-elite athletes and help grow the sport by lifting up the bottom tier.

Unsponsored athletes like 400-meter runner Courtney Okolo are benefiting from Bandit Running’s initiative, as funding their own training and competition expenses can be financially burdensome. Okolo, an Olympian sponsored by Nike, sees the project as a valuable support system that alleviates the pressure of self-funding her athletic pursuits.

With the high costs of training, traveling to competitions, and purchasing gear, unsponsored track athletes face financial challenges that sponsored athletes do not. Despite the difficulties, athletes like Brandee Johnson, who is working multiple jobs to fund her training, find hope and support through innovative projects like Bandit Running’s Unsponsored Project.



Read more at CNBC: Bandit Running Unsponsored Project decks out Olympic hopefuls