In an innovative move blending sports and fashion, Carlisle assistant basketball coach Tim Atkinson has brought the concept of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) to local high school athletics through his sneaker customization brand, Sneaker00juice. Garnering over 1,300 followers on Instagram, the brand has taken a significant step by signing Jaydon Smith, a standout athlete, and Olivia Jones, former Cedar Cliff star, as its first brand ambassadors.
🤝 Brand Ambassadorship with a Twist: Unlike typical brand endorsements, Smith and Jones’ roles as Sneaker00juice ambassadors involve a unique exchange. They don’t receive financial compensation but are instead rewarded with customized shoes and Sneaker00juice gear, crafted by Atkinson himself.
📱 Promotion through Social Media: In this symbiotic relationship, Smith and Jones actively promote Sneaker00juice by tagging the brand in their social media posts and wearing the customized gear. Their bios are also updated to reflect their roles as brand ambassadors, enhancing the brand’s visibility and appeal.
🌐 NIL’s Image Branch: Their ambassadorship aligns with the image aspect of NIL, where athletes leverage their physical image and social influence to benefit a brand. By sporting Sneaker00juice gear during games and endorsing products on social platforms, Smith and Jones are creatively using their profiles to boost the brand.
👕 Additional Partnership for Jones: Olivia Jones, a junior at Westtown School in West Chester, has expanded her brand partnerships by collaborating with Jawns on Fire, a sneaker and streetwear boutique based in Harrisburg. This additional endorsement showcases her growing influence in the realms of sports and fashion.
The initiative by Tim Atkinson to sign local athletes as brand ambassadors for Sneaker00juice signifies a burgeoning trend of grassroots-level endorsements in high school sports. It exemplifies how local athletes can collaborate with brands, adding a new dimension to their athletic and social media presence. 🏆👟🌟
