Contested

The challenge

Despite the global sports industry being valued at $2.7 trillion, many athletes, even those at the top of their game, struggle to earn a sustainable income. Gold medalists, world champions, and world record holders face financial barriers that prevent them from funding essentials like kit, nutrition, and travel, despite having highly-engaged fanbases.

The approach

We created Contested to address this gap, providing athletes with a platform to unlock new revenue opportunities through partnerships. This marketplace connects athletes directly with businesses, allowing athletes to secure financial support while helping brands leverage authentic endorsements to boost their visibility and reach.

The execution

Contested is being built from the ground up through close collaboration with athletes and businesses, ensuring the platform delivers real value to both sides. Our team of experts in product development, sports and marketing are continuously learning and refining the proposition as we scale.

The impact

Contested has already facilitated successful partnerships that benefit both athletes and businesses. Athletes are receiving much-needed support for their careers, while brands are seeing a positive impact from genuine athlete endorsements. The network is steadily growing as we scale.

The future

Contested is set for continued growth, with expansion plans in the US and beyond. As we scale, our focus remains on enhancing the platform, creating more opportunities for athletes and businesses, and pursuing investment to accelerate our mission of empowering athletes globally.