Being a pro athlete is many kids dream. Thats because sports stars are popular, highly skilled, and earn a lot of money. Whats best, many athletes earn extra from brand endorsements and product promotion.

But why do notable sports figures engage in advertising campaigns? And how much can they earn from it? Read on to see the answers!

Types of brands athletes tend to promote

Many people wonder which companies tend to hire sportsmen, but the truth is this: Almost all of them do it. 

Well start with the obvious sports apparel companies frequently hire athletes to promote their clothing or shoes. Examples include Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, Puma, Reebok, and New Balance, to name just a few.

Besides that, companies making sports drinks and nutritional supplements are also agile in this field. Its a natural combination because athletes promote products that emphasise the importance of hydration and proper nutrition for athletic performance. Youll probably think of Gatorade or Red Bull, but there are tons of other brands in the same niche. 

One of the rising trends is the impact of the gambling industry. Youve probably seen it before if you play online casino games as soon as you choose the casino, you see ads with well-known faces. This is the case when you play at the best payout online casino because it does everything to impress users. You can withdraw money quickly, all while playing sports-themed games and watching commercials with superstar runners or track and field athletes.

Perhaps it feels strange to see athletes endorsing online casinos, but it comes down to the financial benefits for both parties involved.  Bear in mind that the best casino with no account can afford to hire famous people for its marketing campaigns. That greatly adds to the Olympic athletes income, helping them earn some extra bucks. 

Of course, the automobile industry is not immune to this kind of marketing either. The likes of Mercedes-Benz and BMW often partner with athletes to promote their vehicles. But the list goes on, as youll notice sportsmen promoting a range of other businesses like:

• Tech companies
• Financial services
• Fast food chains
• Watch and jewellery brands
• Cosmetics 
• Healthcare

Athletes as brand ambassadors

Fans love athletes with exceptional skills, but brands appreciate sportsmen for their off-the-field presence. Thats because many athletes have celebrity status and huge social media followings. In such circumstances, athletes become a valuable asset for brands that want to strengthen relationships with their target audience.

We know youve seen many VIP figures who promote products and services outside of their sport. Here are just a few extremely notable names:

• Usain Bolt: The best sprinter in history reportedly earned over $20 million for leading Pumas campaign before and during the 2012 Olympic Games in London. 
• Michael Jordan: The basketball legend built an iconic partnership with Nike. It all started in 1984 with the launch of the Air Jordan sneaker line. However, the partnership quickly grew to become the most profitable business deal in history. 
• Serena Williams: One of the best tennis players ever is a brand ambassador for companies like Gatorade and Nike. Serenas strong work ethic and determination on the court make her a great fit for brands conveying a message of strength and resilience.
• Simone Biles: The Olympic gymnast has partnered with Nike and Uber Eats, to name just a couple. Simone has an extremely positive attitude, which makes her ideal for brands promoting a healthy lifestyle.

How much can athletes earn from it?

This question is hard because the actual deal varies greatly depending on several factors. The main factors are the athletes popularity and his negotiation skills. Some sportsmen sign multi-million dollar endorsement deals, while others get a smaller fee or just free amenities.

For instance, Michael Jordan earned $2.5 million from Nike for a five-year deal that started in 1984. But time has changed a lot since then, which is why Jordan is now a billionaire thanks to his cooperation with Nike and other brands. 

However, you should know that athletes are subject to regulations. Many pro leagues have specific guidelines on the types of partnerships their players can enter into.

Conclusion

Professional athletes already make a lot of money, but some still get extra income from endorsing all sorts of brands or even specific products. These endorsements not only benefit the athletes financially but also help companies reach a wider audience and build credibility with their customers.

Do you think athletes should be promoting the brands they dont know well? Write a comment to share your thoughts on this interesting subject!

The annual Hypomeeting is the perfect example of how to showcase sporting brilliance and also highlights why combined events are worthy of greater celebration, writes Gabby Pieraccini

When I look at the World Athletics Competition Performance Ranking, says Walter Weber, Sporting Director of the annual Hypomeeting Götzis, I see that Hypomeeting is only in third place. But only Combined Events at the Olympic Games and World Championships are better than at Götzis.

The annual celebration of combined events in the small Austrian town of Götzis at the end of May provides a masterclass in how to showcase world-class athletics.

Every detail of the meeting is designed to create the conditions for athletes to perform at their best, with no requirement for ill-thought-through gimmicks to generate artificial theatre. And therein lies the secret.

When that singular focus on the athlete is enhanced by an understanding of how to narrate the ebb and flow of the multis, and combined with a relaxed environment for fans, the result is the richest two days of athletics on the competition calendar. The best athletics event you will ever attend, former Telegraph athletics correspondent Ben Bloom wrote in AW a few weeks ago.

Since 1975, all but three Olympic and World champions have competed at Götzis. For current Olympic decathlon champion Damian Warner of Canada, this will be his 10th edition. He has won on seven occasions, more than any other athlete.

Warner won his Olympic title in the sequestered, mid-pandemic conditions of Tokyo, and his victory in Götzis that year was also muted, given the limited attendance due to public health measures. This year, Warner is bringing his extended support system to Austria, including his two-year old son Theo.

Almost every year for the past 10 years Ive come home raving to my family about Götzis, Damian recalls. About how this small town transforms into this amazing competition with an unparalleled atmosphere, and how the fans at Götzis are more knowledgeable and dedicated to the decathlon/heptathlon than anywhere else in the world.

I want my family to experience this amazing atmosphere and this love for combined events first hand.

For me its simple. From day one I have been welcomed to Götzis with open arms and treated with love and respect. I have met so many incredible people over the years and developed relationships with people there. In a lot of ways, it feels like a home away from home. I hope that I have the opportunity to compete in Götzis every year, for the rest of my career.

In contrast Warners training partner, fellow Canadian Nate Mechler, is making his Götzis debut.

In 2012 I was looking for a new sport after my hockey career. It was around then I first learned about the decathlon, he says. I went onto YouTube and was met by [Roman] Šebrles world record decathlon at Götzis in 2001. From then on it quickly became my sport, and Götzis is my dream decathlon. Im very excited and incredibly grateful to get this opportunity.

Improvements to the athletics track and indoor facilities to be made within the next 12 months as part of wider plans to give historic arena a major facelift

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has promised to invest in redeveloping Crystal Palace National Sports Centre with the crumbling athletics facilities to be repaired and indoor facilities improved within the next year.

Khan announced the once-in-a-generation redevelopment on Friday (May 26) but warned the development is complex and will take around five years to complete. However, immediate improvements in the next 12 months include:

• Repairing the athletics track and installing replacement floodlighting
• Reopening the climbing walls in the indoor centre
• Upgrading the fitness gym

He said: Crystal Palace National Sports Centre is a historic and much-loved sporting and community facility where many UK sporting stars have started their careers and trained, but which is in need of major investment and refurbishment.

I am completely committed to this once-in-a-generation redevelopment of the site which will secure its future for decades to come.

While work continues apace on our vision for the long-term future of the centre, I am delighted to announce that we intend to make a number of early improvements that we hope will make a huge difference to users of the centre.

Over the coming months, we will continue to work closely with key stakeholders including sporting bodies and wider community groups  to deliver an outstanding venue that our capital and our country can be proud of.

The Mayor hopes that a planning application for the comprehensive redevelopment of the centre will be brought forward by April 2024 and that a contractor will be able to start work in 2025.

There have been big fears that the centre would simply be demolished and as recently as November parts of the centre were closed due to fears over concrete pillars underneath floodlights. There have been a few false dawns too where promising plans have come to nothing.

The south London venue held the AAA Championships from 1971-1987 and many still regard it as the spiritual home of British athletics. In 2014 the stadium was threatened with demolition. Although in 2015 UK Athletics called for the retention of the facilities, mainly so that the large number of athletes based in the south London area would have a good indoor and outdoor training track.

Hugh Brasher, Event Director of London Marathon Events, said: For more than four decades, the famous Crystal Palace stadium hosted some of the greatest international athletics events staged in the UK in front of sellout crowds and the track is part of an extensive sports complex with a wonderful heritage.

The Mayors commitment to the redevelopment of the Crystal Palace site is fantastic news for athletics, aquatics and many other sports. London Marathon Events and the London Marathon Foundation are keen to support this visionary future to restore Crystal Palace as a much-needed sporting and community facility.

A revitalised Crystal Palace could eventually provide UK Athletics with an alternative home to the problematic London Stadium as the centrepiece for the sport in the capital.

John Powell, chair of the Crystal Palace Sports Partnership, told The Times: Hopefully this will spell the end of the managed decline we have seen over the years. Im so pleased the Mayors office has finally recognised the unique needs of Crystal Palace and the uniqueness of its potential.

You can read the full announcement here.

The World Athletics Championships in Budapest guarantee nine days of unforgettable experiences

In less than three months, the highly anticipated 2023 World Athletics Championships will kick off in Budapest. Athletes from around the globe are already preparing for this years most significant event, where they will compete for medals and world records in 49 events spanning from August 19th to August 27th. Lets take a look at the highlights of the World Championships schedule.

At the end of the summer, all eyes will be on Budapest as it hosts the greatest sporting event of the year. The magnificent National Athletics Centre, purpose-built for the World Championships, will serve as the main venue, accommodating up to 35,000 spectators who will cheer on the athletic superheroes. On the opening day, three finals will take place, followed by at least four finals each day for the next eight days. Tickets and packages can be purchased at https://tickets.wabudapest23.com/.

Within the historic centre of Budapest, six events will unfold. On August 19th, the mens 20km race walking event will take place, followed by the womens 20km competition the following day. The 35km race is scheduled for the morning of August 24th. As the World Championships reach their conclusion, the marathoners will grace the streets of Budapest, a UNESCO World Heritage site, on the final weekend. The womens 42,195m race will be held on August 26th, followed by the mens race on August 27th.

Attending these street events is an absolute must to witness firsthand the breathtaking speed of the worlds top race walkers and runners. Admission is free, and the World Championships organisers have arranged a variety of accompanying activities at Heroes Square. Dont miss the chance to catch a glimpse of one of the biggest stars of the event, Kimberly García. The Peruvian athlete will be vying for victory in both the 20km and 35km races.

Inside the stadium, on the opening day of August 19th, iconic figures like Ryan Crouser, Nafissatou Thiam, Pawel Fajdek and Faith Kipyegon will dazzle the crowd at the National Athletics Centre. The four superheroes will be featured in the morning session, along with the other four morning sessions, at an affordable entrance fee of just HUF3,000 (~8 USD). With the mens shot put final taking place on the first evening, Budapest may witness the setting of a world record right from the start. The womens 10,000m final is also poised to be an exhilarating event, and medals will be awarded in the 4x400m mixed relay. Furthermore, the worlds fastest men will make their debuts, with Marcell Jacobs and Fred Kerley stepping onto the track for the mens 100m.

One of the most thrilling events will take place on the evening of August 20th, featuring the semi-finals and final of the mens 100m. In the womens long jump final, Ivana Vuleta and Malaika Mihambo will once again face off, while Pawel Fajdek will strive for his sixth World Championship gold medal in the mens hammer throw final. Hungarys own Bence Halász will be aiming to secure his countrys first-ever World Championship title. Additionally, the womens heptathlon will reach its conclusion, where Nafi Thiam might face a strong challenge from two young competitors, Adrianna Sulek and Anna Hall. Jakob Ingebrigtsen, who is perhaps eyeing a triple victory, will face the 1500m semi-final and the 10,000m final in quick succession during this evening.

On Monday, August 21st, the worlds fastest women sprinters will take the stage. Based on her performances earlier in the season, ShaCarri Richardson seems poised to pose a significant challenge to Jamaican superstars Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson-Herah, and Shericka Jackson in the 100m. Grant Holloway could also defend his title in the 110m hurdles on the same day. Furthermore, you can witness sensational athletes like Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Femke Bol, Katie Moon, Karsten Warholm, Kristjan Ceh, and Pedro Pichardo for as low as 6,900 HUF (~17 USD) during the night.

On day 4 of the World Championships, Gianmarco Tamberi and Mutaz Essa Barshim will embark on another adventure together in the mens high jump final. Lamecha Girma might even surprise Soufiane El Bakkali in the final of the 3000m steeplechase. The battle between Valarie Allman and Sandra Perkovic will also be a thrilling event, and the womens 1500m final could showcase the talents of Laura Muir alongside Faith Kipyegon.

On Wednesday, August 23rd, the morning session will introduce the much-anticipated appearance of Mondo Duplantis, perhaps the biggest star in the sport today, with tickets available for just 3000 HUF (~8 USD). The 200m heats will once again feature the worlds best sprinters, including Noah Lyles and Erriyon Knighton. The rising stars of the womens 800m, Athing Mu, Keely Hodgkinson, and Mary Moraa, will also make their debut in Budapest, while last years standout young athlete Adriana Világos will participate in the womens javelin qualification.

On Wednesday night, everything will be set for a Scandinavian fiesta: two Norwegian stars, Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Karsten Warholm, will be the favourites to compete on the Mondo surface, famously known as the red carpet of world records. In the womens pole vault final, Finlands Wilma Murto might provide a surprise. The womens 400m final should also be captivating, especially if both McLaughlin-Levrone and Bol decide to test their skills without hurdles in Budapest.

On the evening of August 24th, Miltiadis Tentoglou will fight for his last missing big title, while the semi-finals of the womens and mens 200m and mens 800m respectively promising nine thrilling races, where the biggest stars will face fierce competition. Anita Wlodarczyk may make a triumphant return to the top in the womens hammer throw final after last years injury. This is the day when Jasmine Camacho-Quinn can seek redemption against Tobi Amusan, who defeated her with a world record last year. It will also be intriguing to see if Wayde Van Niekerk can achieve something remarkable in the mens 400m final. If thats not enough, the evening could be capped off by the athletics new queen, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, in the 400m hurdles final.

On August 25th and 26th, the mens decathlon will take centre stage, with Damian Warner aiming to secure the elusive world title in Budapest after his dramatic injury in Oregon last year. On Friday evening, Yulimar Rojas will grace the show with her presence, and missing her jumps would be a mistake, just as the womens and mens 200m finals will provide an exciting narrative.

On Saturday evening, August 26th, the mens pole vault final will be held, and Mondo Duplantis is poised for another remarkable jump, explaining why tickets are already scarce! The mens decathlon will conclude, there will be finals in the 4x100m relay, preliminary races in the 4x400m relay, and Chase Ealeys performance in the womens shot put final will be worth watching. The womens 5000m final should also be a thrilling event, with Letesenbet Gidey, Sifan Hassan, Gudaf Tsegay, and other stars yet to be determined, but intense competition is guaranteed.

On the final evening of the World Championships, August 27th, we will be Witness the Wonder of the variety of athletics. There will, of course, only be finals, precisely seven of them. Middle and long-distance running, throwing, jumping, hurdles, and relaysthis evening has something for everyone who enjoys more than just sprints in athletics. The most anticipated moments on the track will be the duels between Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Joshua Cheptegei (mens 5000m) and Athing Mu and Keely Hodgkinson (womens 800m). The finals of the mens javelin and womens high jump will also be fantastic, as well as the mens and womens 4x400m relay finals, which will bring the World Championships to a close, with the latter featuring Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and an exceptional American relay team.

As mentioned earlier, the five morning programs are available for a flat fee of 3000 HUF (~8 USD). For the evening programs, ticket prices on weekdays range from 17 USD for the cheapest to 47 USD for the most expensive. On the weekend evenings, tickets range from 22 USD to 57 USD. Additionally, there are three different packages available: one for the two days of the opening weekend (Firestarter package), another for the last three days of the World Champs (Crown package), and a full World Champs package (Superhero package).

Price for individual ticket on weekdays:

Category 1: 47 USD

Category 2: 35 USD

Category 3: 22 USD

Category 4: 17 USD

Price for individual ticket on weekends:

Category 1: 57 USD

Category 2: 45 USD

Category 3: 32 USD

Category 4: 22 USD

Ticket packages:

Firestarter package 19-20 August, 2 days, first weekend

Category 1: 116 USD

Category 2: 94 USD

Category 3: 71 USD

Category 4: 53 USD

Crown package 25-26-27 August, 3 days, incl. last weekend

Category 1: 168 USD

Category 2: 134 USD

Category 3: 100 USD

Category 4: 73 USD

Superheroes package 19-27 August, every session of the WCH

Category 1: 410 USD

Category 2: 320 USD

Category 3: 230 USD

Category 4: 174 USD

Over 170,000 tickets have already been sold for the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest. Its recommended to purchase your tickets or packages as soon as possible through https://tickets.wabudapest23.com/ to secure the best seats and Witness the Wonder!