Athletes Unlimited, Aspiration Enter Historic Multi-Year Partnership

Rhea-AI Summary

Athletes Unlimited has partnered with Aspiration to launch the first U.S.-based carbon neutral professional sports leagues. This historic multi-year partnership, the largest in Athletes Unlimited's history, will include jersey sponsorship and sustainability initiatives across basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, and softball leagues. Aspiration aims to enhance Athletes Unlimited's sustainability efforts, including carbon assessments and community engagement. This agreement supports Aspiration's upcoming merger with InterPrivate III Financial Partners (NYSE: IPVF), leading to Aspiration's listing as a Public Benefit Corporation.

Positive

• Historic multi-year partnership with Aspiration for sustainability.
• Largest partnership in Athletes Unlimited's history.
• Introduction of jersey sponsorship for basketball and volleyball.
• Sustainability initiatives, including carbon footprint assessment.

Negative

• None.

-Athletes Unlimited set to operate first U.S.-based carbon neutral professional sports leagues-

-Aspiration selected as eco-partner of choice, having unparalleled knowledge and capabilities in the sustainability space-

-Partnership is largest in Athletes Unlimited history-

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Athletes Unlimited and Aspiration have entered a historic multi-year partnership, setting the stage for Athletes Unlimited to run the first U.S.-based carbon neutral professional sports leagues, beginning with the inauguration of Athletes Unlimited Basketball in January 2022, and continuing through its volleyball, lacrosse and softball leagues. Aspiration, the world’s leader in sustainability as a service solution for consumers and companies, is joining forces with Athletes Unlimited as a top-tier partner across its growing community of women’s professional sports leagues.

Aspiration empowers companies to build climate change-fighting action into what they do every day in ways that make it easy, automated, engaging and yet still enormously powerful. Aspiration becomes the latest in a rapidly expanding list of corporate partners dedicated to growing Athletes Unlimited’s network of leagues and providing engagement opportunities for its fans. The partnership – which runs through 2023 – will ensure that the fight against climate change is built into Athletes Unlimited’s daily activity, as well as athlete and fan experiences. It marks a substantially increased investment by Aspiration in Athletes Unlimited’s innovative model and its community of civic-minded athletes and fans.

The partnership is the largest in Athletes Unlimited’s history, and involves the organization’s first-ever jersey sponsorship, with basketball and volleyball uniforms set to include Aspiration patches for the next two seasons. Aspiration – which previously sponsored Athletes Unlimited Softball in 2020 and 2021 – will receive physical and digital signage elements and activations that promote sustainability across all four leagues. In addition, Aspiration will activate across Athletes Unlimited’s network of media partners, including becoming the presenting partner of five national broadcasts for each league per season.

Athletes Unlimited CEO Jon Patricof said: “Aspiration is a perfect partner for Athletes Unlimited and we couldn’t be more pleased to expand their presence in our community. Our innovative mindsets and core values are precisely aligned, highlighted by a deep-seated commitment to growing our leagues, investing in our athletes and bettering the world around us. Social responsibility is one of the foundations on which Athletes Unlimited was built, and Aspiration’s expertise will help advise and guide us on how we can minimize our environmental impact.

“This partnership is a testament to the continued growth and traction of the fast-growing sector of women’s pro sports, as well as the power of building complementary leagues across four sports, a network of national TV and digital partners, and robust fan engagement platforms. Aspiration is joining a growing group of like-minded partners that see the incredible opportunity ahead of us, and know we are just getting started.”

As part of the partnership, Aspiration will utilize its products and services that help corporations easily and economically assess and address their carbon footprint. Aspiration is currently conducting a comprehensive carbon assessment to determine Athletes Unlimited’s overall footprint. Following the assessment, Athletes Unlimited will work with Aspiration to define its long-term sustainability goals, vision and strategy with immediate effect.

Aspiration CEO Andrei Cherny said: “Teaming up with Athletes Unlimited, a game changer in the sports industry, feels like the perfect fit. We both are founded on values of conscience and concern for people and the planet. We couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity to share the deep understanding we have when it comes to sustainability, and how we can continue expanding this partnership with Athletes Unlimited.”

The partnership will also involve the integration of The Aspiration Difference programming in each Athletes Unlimited league, including ‘Trees for Threes’ in basketball with 10 trees planted for every successful three-pointer, and a continuation of 2020’s ‘Round the Bases’ in softball whereby 100 trees are planted for every run scored. Plans are currently in development for volleyball and lacrosse.

Aspiration will also help craft reforestation campaigns that engage Athlete Unlimited fans, including by allowing carbon offsetting via ticket purchases. Athletes Unlimited will incorporate Aspiration’s “Planet Protection” program into every ticket sold, with contributions funding carbon removal projects around the world. More information on the sustainability efforts can be found at AUProSports.com/sustainability.

Aspiration recently entered into a merger agreement with InterPrivate III Financial Partners Inc. (NYSE: IPVF), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company, which, upon closing, will result in Aspiration becoming a listed company as a Public Benefit Corporation, building on Aspiration’s existing commitments to generate social and public good and operate in a responsible and sustainable manner.

About Athletes Unlimited

Athletes Unlimited is a new model of pro sports where athletes are decision-makers and individual players are champions of team sports. Athletes Unlimited literally changes the game with faster play and new team rosters every week, delivering next-level competition and engagement in which every moment counts. The first season of women’s softball took place in 2020, with the inaugural seasons of women’s indoor volleyball and women’s lacrosse being completed in 2021, along with season two of softball. Basketball will begin in January 2022, with season two of volleyball starting in March. For more information, visit AUProSports.com.

About Aspiration Partners, Inc.

Aspiration is a leading platform to help people and businesses put automated sustainable impact into their hands and integrate it into their daily lives. Aspiration has earned the trust of its more than 5 million members by helping them spend, save, shop, and invest to both "Do Well" and "Do Good." Aspiration Partners, Inc. is a certified B Corp. For more information, visit Aspiration.com or Aspiration.com/business.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211210005099/en/

Media Contacts

Athletes Unlimited: Scott Miranda, scott@mirandaco.net, 914-806-6771

Christy Cahill, christy@auprosports.com, 617-777-4489

Aspiration: Sehrish Sayani, press@aspiration.com

Source: Aspiration

FAQ

What is the partnership between Athletes Unlimited and Aspiration about?

The partnership focuses on launching the first U.S.-based carbon neutral professional sports leagues, enhancing sustainability efforts.

What sports are included in the Athletes Unlimited and Aspiration partnership?

The partnership includes basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, and softball leagues.

When did Athletes Unlimited Basketball start?

Athletes Unlimited Basketball began in January 2022.

What are the goals of Aspiration in collaborating with Athletes Unlimited?

Aspiration aims to assess and reduce Athletes Unlimited's carbon footprint while promoting sustainability initiatives.

What does the merger with InterPrivate III Financial Partners mean for Aspiration?

The merger will result in Aspiration becoming a publicly listed company as a Public Benefit Corporation.