Practical Considerations in Selecting the Right Athlete Endorsement Partner

By Edward H. Schauder For more than a century, companies have relied on athletes to build brand recognition and consumer trust. Today, athlete endorsements remain a billion-dollar segment of the marketing industry. Yet while the financial upside can be significant, so too are the legal, reputational, and operational risks. From both the company’s and the athlete’s perspective, a successful endorsement relationship requires more than celebrity appeal. It demands strategic alignment, careful d