Dick's Sporting Goods and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) announced a sponsorship agreement in which the retailer will serve as the Official Sporting Goods Retail Sponsor to the USOC and Team USA. The first of its kind partnership for Dick's will focus on supporting U.S. Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls as they strive to represent the U.S. at the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“At Dick's, we believe in the spirit of athletes and the power of their dreams,” said Lauren Hobart, senior vice president & chief marketing officer, Dick's Sporting Goods. “We plan to be there to support the athletes who need it most, in a way that no other sporting goods retailer possibly can.”
Dick's announced a multi-faceted partnership, which will include an in-store employment program and sporting goods equipment donations, as needed, to the U.S. Olympic Training Centers. Dick's is also planning to offer sponsorships and sporting goods equipment from their stores to several Team USA athletes to help them pursue their Olympic and Paralympic dreams.
The in-store employment opportunities, under Dick's Team USA Store Ambassador Program, will provide U.S. Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls with flexible work opportunities in Dick's stores to accommodate their training schedules. These athletes will be able to share their passion and in-depth knowledge of their sport with Dick's customers.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dick's Sporting Goods to our great family of USOC partners,” said Lisa Baird, USOC chief marketing officer. “Dick's support of Team USA athletes, including opportunities for employment in the communities where they live and train, opens up new pathways for America's elite athletes to achieve their dream of competing on the biggest stage in sport.”
Three-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings, four-time U.S. Olympic medalist Summer Sanders and U.S. Paralympic world record holder Lex Gillette were on-hand at the retailer's corporate headquarters for today's partnership announcement.
“It's great to be here today to help announce this new partnership,” said Jennings. “I was a U.S. Olympic hopeful at one point. A lot of people helped me on my quest to make Team USA, and Dick's will be a huge help to these athletes.”
