ProStories: Empowering Athletes and Brands in the Digital Era

This article was originally published on the ProStories blog.

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What was your first sports memory?

Was it Michael Jordan dunking from the free throw line? Maybe it was Brandi Chastain’s iconic pose during the ‘99 World Cup. Or maybe it was seeing your local soccer team for the first time, and the passion they showed not just for the game, but for the people they represented.

Pro athletes are the original influencers. And while the top-tier athletes often enjoy lucrative brand deals, there are thousands of pros around the world with strong influence who are left to figure it out. As athletes continue to step into new roles as creators—as more than athletes—they need a foundation to help turn their influence into meaningful experiences.

Enter ProStories , a platform designed to transform the way athletes share their stories, build their brands, and collaborate with businesses around the world.

Athlete Influence goes far beyond the field

According to a 2020 study by the International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship, “A sports celebrity is the most effective type of endorser in increasing consumers’ purchase intentions…”

This is all thanks to a psychological effect known as classical conditioning. When an athlete endorses a product, they transfer some of their own personal traits and values onto that product. The result? If you wanna fly like Mike, you better get you some Jordans.

But this doesn’t apply just to the top 10%.

In fact, athletes who aren’t in the top 5% have a distinct advantage in influence—they are real. They’re still professionals at the top of their respective sport, but for a local kid in Barcelona or Valencia who goes to see their team play (as their family has done for generations), that influence is different. He/she can touch, feel and smell the athletes. On social media they may be micro-influencers, but in real life, they are larger than life.

But part of the problem is that many of these micro-influencer athletes aren’t given the same type of brand opportunities.

Democratizing Brand Deals

Securing brand deals has always been a challenge for athletes who haven't reached superstar status. Two-fold for female athletes, who are making remarkable strides in the industry but still face many obstacles when it comes to gaining sponsorships and recognition.

Not only that, the influencer marketing process is messy and often requires too many steps on both sides. Contract agreements, specifics about who/when/how things are posted, and unclear metrics and tracking. Not to mention how weird and forced some of these sponsorships feel.

As a fan, you’re interested in the products a pro actually uses. The products that feel like they make sense. The products that helped the pro get to where they are. As a pro, you want to represent brands and products who align with your story.

The most effective athlete-brand relationships are rooted in a real connection. Stories and values that match up. That connection is what ProStories aims to strengthen.

For Athletes: Streamlining brand deals

ProStories offers a dynamic homepage for each athlete, acting as a one-stop destination for fans and businesses who want to get closer.

Athletes can share their stories, achievements, and personal items with ease, creating a more intimate and engaging connection with their fan base. By streamlining the process, athletes can promote products directly on their profile, bypassing the usual back-and-forth negotiations, getting paid instantly, without brand approvals.

And rather than sending users to a third-party store where the connection can falter, all products are part of the ProStories ecosystem. It’s a seamless process from start to finish.

We want to help athletes maximize and build their brand while they still have relevant years left with their careers, and set them up for success far after they’re done playing.

For Brands: Opening up new markets around the world

For brands, ProStories opens up a world of possibilities. The platform provides access to a diverse range of athletes, giving businesses the opportunity to connect with brand ambassadors who align with their values and products.

When your products are added to the ProStories shop, you get instant access to athlete influencers around the world who can promote and vouch for you. ProStories facilitates seamless collaborations, allowing brands to tap into new markets and expand their reach to a global audience of passionate sports enthusiasts.

Embracing the Future

While ProStories is still a nascent platform, we believe it holds immense promise for athletes and brands alike. From empowering diverse athletes to thrive in the sponsorship landscape to leveling the playing field for athletes of all levels, ProStories is shaping a future where passion, talent, and opportunity converge.

Want to see ProStories in action? Click here to see the app live. Below is a walkthrough for creating a profile.

If you're an athlete, brand or agency that wants to work together, I'd love to connect. Let's help shape the athlete economy together.