Kara Goucher and ModCraft entered into a partnership. ModCraft will act on behalf of Goucher, one of the most popular female
athletes, as business manager, publicist, brand
communicator and agent
Goucher redefined herself when she left Nike after twelve years to join women’s running apparel brand Oiselle. The partnership made headlines in major publications across the nation, and the momentum continues. When Goucher signed with Skechers, she became the first professional distance runner in history to have a separate apparel and shoe sponsor. She expanded her sponsor portfolio by signing with Nuun, Soleus, Zensah, Svelte, and Strava in 2014. Through these partnerships, Goucher has shown current and up-and-coming professional runners that there are multiple avenues to earning a living as an athlete.
ModCraft’s co-founder Shanna Burnette has worked alongside Goucher since December 2013 when Goucher left Portland, OR, to return to her college roots of Boulder, CO.
Goucher and ModCraft are advocates of clean sport and strive to operate on a transparent and honest level in every endeavor. When seeking potential sponsors, it is important that missions are aligned and collaboration is welcomed with like-minded brands. Athletes are inspirational brands that transcend sport; given the proper business principles, their career only begins in running. Each contract should be approached with the athlete’s best interests in mind so it both protects and helps grow the athlete.
“I'm excited to keep changing the status quo of how athletes are treated,” said Goucher. “Shanna has been there and believed in me when I wanted to change how track and field athletes were sponsored. She continues to support me and believe in a system where the athlete is the priority. I look forward to making our relationship official.”
ModCraft and Goucher have a strong foothold in the present and future of running as ModCraft represents several brands in the space and Goucher is a participant and business owner in the sport. Her quest for a third Olympic team will come on Feb. 13, 2016 in Los Angeles at the Olympic Marathon Trials. Her future as an inspirational motivator, speaker, writer and leader will continue to deepen after the Olympic Games and throughout the next phase of her athletic career.
“There are very few athletes like Kara,” said Burnette. “She is the epitome of hard work, dedication and commitment. She continually makes sacrifices to get herself to the top level of sport yet, still prioritizes time for everyone who supports her. She is a role model and inspiration to people of all ages, and doing the right thing means a lot to her. Kara is going to have a legacy and business long after her professional running days, and it is an honor to work alongside her.”
