Takeoff with Trajektory - January Edition

?? WOMEN'S SPORTS HEADLINES

Unrivaled League Debuts and Sponsorships Surge in January

? January has been a landmark month for women’s sports in the U.S., marked by significant sponsorship investments and the launch of innovative leagues. Unrivaled, a new professional women’s 3-on-3 basketball league, debuted on January 17th in Miami, featuring 36 prominent WNBA players. The league has secured substantial partnerships, including a technology and presenting sponsorship with Samsung, aimed at enhancing both player and fan experiences through advanced performance tracking and content generation. Additionally, beauty retailer Sephora has joined as the official beauty sponsor, providing curated products and on-site glam rooms for athletes, aligning with the league’s commitment to player empowerment and self-expression. (SB Nation, Byrdie)

? Investor confidence in women’s sports continues to surge, with Unrivaled raising $35 million in funding from high-profile athletes and investors, including tennis star Coco Gauff. This financial backing underscores the growing commercial appeal of women’s sports and the increasing recognition of their market potential. Furthermore, brands are reallocating sponsorship budgets to women’s sports, with the average brand earmarking 20% of its total sports media budget for women’s sports in 2024, up 9% year-over-year. This trend is expected to continue, with 82% of brands planning to increase their women’s sports budgets in 2025, reflecting a broader industry shift towards greater investment in women’s athletics. (TalkSPORT, The Gist)

?? MEN'S SPORTS HEADLINES

Record Sponsorships and Big-Name Partnerships

? The start of the year has brought major shifts in men’s sports sponsorships across the U.S., with notable brand investments and new strategic alliances.?Amazon’s Prime Video has entered into a primary sponsorship agreement with Hendrick Motorsports, becoming the main sponsor for driver Chase Elliott in three races, including Talladega and Kansas, through 2027. This collaboration coincides with Amazon’s debut as a NASCAR broadcast partner, signaling the tech giant’s deeper engagement in live sports broadcasting and marketing. (Blackbook Motorsport)

? U.S. major league teams collectively garnered $7.66 billion in sponsorship revenue in 2024, reflecting a 12% increase from the previous year. Major League Baseball (MLB) teams led this growth with a 16% year-over-year revenue increase, while the National Football League (NFL) teams generated the highest total sponsorship revenue at $2.3 billion. The Los Angeles Dodgers notably secured $70 million from new deals, the highest among all franchises. So far this month, the Dodgers have brought in $2.8M in Social Brand Value alone, according to Trajektory Industry Insights (Date Range: 01/01/2025 - 01/13/2025). This upward trend underscores the escalating value and investment in men’s professional sports sponsorships across the United States. (Sportspro)?

?? TRAJEKTORY CONTENT

2024-2025 NFL Regular Season Social Report

? The 2024-2025 NFL Regular Season Sponsorship Report is here! ?? Dive into the key metrics, trends, and standout performances that shaped this season’s sponsorship landscape. Whether you’re a team or brand, this comprehensive report offers insights to help you understand your value, optimize your strategies, and maximize ROI. ?? Download it here.

?? TRAJEKTORY HIGHLIGHT

Trajektory All-Hands Highlights ??

??Last week, the Trajektory team came together in Chicago for an unforgettable all-hands celebration of our anniversary! ??????? We shared laughs over dinner and drinks and capped off the night with some friendly competition at the bowling alley. Here’s to another amazing year of growth and success! ????