Rahul SahaThis article contains information about American former professional football player Megan Rapinoe’s brand endorsements and investments.
Megan Rapinoe’s sponsors and brand endorsements over the years — Google, LEGO Group, Nike, Pfizer, Victoria’s Secret, Rustler Hat Co., Schmidt’s Naturals, Samsung, Subway, VISA, Electronic Arts, Wildfang, DJO Global, Procter & Gamble, BodyArmor, Hulu, LUNA Bar, Smirnoff, Vitamin Water.
CURRENT ENDORSEMENT DEALS
American multinational technology company Google signed a partnership agreement with Rapinoe in November 2022.
As per the deal, Rapinoe has been seen promoting the Google Pixel smartphones, having also starred in a campaign titled “Google Pixel 7: The Beautiful Game Belongs to All of Us”, which also features a cameo from former Colombia men’s national football team captain Carlos Valderrama.
Lego Group
Danish construction toys manufacturer Lego roped in Rapinoe alongside the likes of Yuki Nagasato, Sam Kerr and Asisat Oshoala in May 2023 for its “Play Unstoppable” campaign, which aims to challenge stereotypes around play and creative building and encourage girls to unlock the freedom they need to play without boundaries.
Nike
American sportswear and sports equipment giant Nike signed a multi-year partnership agreement with Megan Rapinoe in 2019, following her success at that year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
In December 2021, the pair launched the “Nike x Megan Rapinoe Collection”.
Pfizer
American multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology corporation Pfizer has been associated with Rapinoe since 2021.
Alongside many prominent names like Martha Stewart, John Legend, Charlie Puth and Travis Kelce, Rapinoe has been working on Pfizer awareness campaigns over the years.
Also read: Eileen Gu: Brand endorsements
Victoria’s Secret
Victoria’s Secret, an American lingerie, clothing and beauty retailer, roped in Rapinoe as a partner and brand ambassador in July 2021 as part of a new transformation from its earlier image.
Alongside Rapinoe, the retailer roped in six other prominent figures: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Valentina Sampaio, Adut Akech, Paloma Elsesser, Amanda de Cadenet and Eileen Gu. These seven women, forming a group called the “VS Collective”, advise the brand, appear in its ads, and promote it on social media.
Rustler Hat Co.
The American hat designing and manufacturing company signed a sponsorship agreement with Rapinoe in 2022.
Schmidt’s Naturals
Schmidt’s Naturals, an American personal care company, announced the signing of Rapinoe as a brand ambassador in March 2021.
Rapinoe launched the #MadeforEveryone campaign for the brand, which was aimed at combatting “FOBO” or “Fear of Body Odour”.
pAST ENDORSEMENT DEALS
Samsung
The South Korean multinational manufacturing conglomerate had been associated with the US Women’s National Team (USWNT) legend for a very long time. Alongside Nike, Samsung was one of Rapinoe’s primary sponsors.
However, as per several reports, following the USA’s poor showing at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Samsung cut ties with Rapinoe.
Subway
The American multinational fast-food restaurant franchise signed up Rapinoe in April 2021 for a series of commercials. However, protests against her from customers and the public following her comments during the Tokyo Olympics saw Subway cut ties with her in 2022.
VISA
In November 2019, American multinational payment card services corporation Visa announced the addition of Megan Rapinoe, Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky to its roster of sponsored athletes ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
EA Sports
EA Sports, the sports division of video games developer and publisher Electronic Arts, first roped in the USWNT legend as a face for the FIFA 16 cover for the North American markets in September 2015.
Wildfang
In February 2023, Wildfang, a Portland, Oregon-based queer-friendly apparel company, announced the signing of actress Kate Moennig, musician Hannah Blilie and footballer Megan Rapinoe as brand ambassadors.
DJO Global
DJO, an American medical device company, signed a personal endorsement deal with Rapinoe in October 2013.
As part of the deal, the former footballer promoted the company’s “Playmaker” range of knee braces, while also taking part in a campaign aimed at advising young people about injury prevention and recovery in sport.
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble (P&G), an American multinational consumer goods corporation, signed Rapinoe as a sponsored athlete in 2019. However, similar to some of her other deals, following her controversial remarks at the Tokyo Olympics, P&G decided to cut ties with her mid-2021.
BodyArmor
BodyArmor, an American sports drink brand owned by The Coca-Cola Company, signed a multi-year personal endorsement deal with the former OL Reign skipper in March 2018.
Hulu
Hulu, an American subscription streaming service owned by The Walt Disney Company, roped in Rapinoe as a brand ambassador alongside 11 other USWNT players in June 2019 for a campaign ahead of that year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
LUNA Bar
LUNA Bars, a brand of nutrition bars created by Clif Bar & Company, roped in Rapinoe alongside her USWNT teammates Alex Morgan and Christen Press for a campaign in April 2019.
Believing in equal pay for equal work, LUNA Bar reportedly gave each of the 23 women chosen for the 2019 USWNT World Cup team US$31,250 — making up the difference between the US women’s and men’s World Cup rosters’ respective bonuses.
Smirnoff
Smirnoff, a brand of vodka owned and produced by British company Diageo, signed a partnership agreement with the former OL Reign star in April 2020.
Following the deal, Smirnoff launched its Red, White and Berry Seltzers with Rapinoe as the face of the campaign.
Vitamin Water
Vitamin Water, a mineral water offering of Energy Brands, announced the signing of Rapinoe as a brand ambassador for its “Be A Try Athlete” campaign in March 2016, ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Investments
RE—INC
In July 2019, Megan Rapinoe, alongside current and former USWNT professionals Tobin Heath, Christen Press and Meghan Klingenberg, launched a lifestyle brand, RE—INC.
RE—INC highlights its investors’ philosophy as players and people who embrace inclusivity and gender-neutral designs.
Real
In April 2021, Megan Rapinoe and Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks joined mental healthcare startup Real as investors.
Happy Viking
Happy Viking, a plant-based protein foods brand launched in December 2020 by former tennis champion Venus Williams, announced the addition of ten new investors in August 2022, one of whom was Rapinoe.
Mendi
In December 2019, Megan Rapinoe and her sister, Rachel, joined Mendi, a cannabidiol (CBD) brand that offers edibles, gel capsules and topicals designed to help athletes recover. Rachel joined the company as a co-founder, while Megan became the company’s sponsored athlete and brand ambassador.
