I help consumer brands sign athlete partnerships.
Finding the right player, negotiating the deal, and setting it up so it actually works.
Independent athlete
partnership advisory.
Most brands can’t get in the room.
The big talent firms work with Fortune 500 companies and their ad agencies. They aren’t going to take a call from a brand with a modest five figure budget, which leaves a lot of good companies with no real way in. You don’t know who to call, what a deal should actually cost, or what a player will realistically agree to.
I led the marketing and athlete partnerships for the launch of NBA Top Shot, and I’ve negotiated over 100 athlete deals across multiple major sports leagues. I work directly with the agencies that represent the biggest names in sports, and I can usually get you an answer in hours instead of weeks.
What We Do.
Figure out who fits
Not every athlete makes sense for every brand, and the biggest name is rarely the right one. I’ll help you narrow the list based on your goals, your audience, and your budget.
Get the deal done
I know what terms are normal, what a fair price looks like at every level, and where there’s room to move. I handle the agency conversations directly.
Set it up to work
A deal is only worth what you do with it. Before it goes live we’ll agree on what gets made, what rights you need, and where it runs, so your team can execute without guessing.
No account team. No junior handoff.
I started out as a basketball scout, and I’ve spent the last decade and change running marketing and community for brands including NBA Top Shot, NFL ALL DAY, Overtime, and Amino Apps.
I’m not an agent, and that matters. I’ll help you figure out which athlete actually fits your brand and what the partnership should look like, then stay on to make sure you get real use out of it once it’s live.
Straightforward to start.
Most engagements start with a call to figure out whether there’s a fit. If you’re thinking about athlete partnerships and aren’t sure where to start, email me.
jacob@ebbetsmarketing.com