Stagwell (STGW) Reveals Latest Draft Picks for SPORT BEACH 2025, Including a Mix of New and Returning Athletes and Brand Partners

Rhea-AI Summary

Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) has announced its latest lineup for SPORT BEACH 2025, featuring an impressive roster of athletes and brand partnerships. The event will expand its presence through SPORT BEACH Clubhouses at major industry and sporting events worldwide.

Notable athlete partners include Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles, football analyst Akbar Gbajabiamila, USWNT head coach Emma Hayes, snowboarder Scotty James, NBA veterans Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose, and NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe.

New brand partners joining the event include Epidemic Sound, Fanatics, Meta, New York Life Insurance, Peloton, and Premion. These join previously announced partners such as Ad Results Media, The Athletic, Channel Factory, The Chicago Bulls, and others.

Positive

• Expansion of SPORT BEACH presence to multiple major events worldwide
• Partnership with high-profile athletes and influential sports figures
• Secured collaborations with major brands including Meta, Fanatics, and Peloton

Negative

• None.

This year's programming will inspire conversations surrounding every facet of sport

NEW YORK and AUSTIN, Texas, March 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW), the challenger network built to transform marketing, today announced a new roster of athletes and brand partners confirmed to activate at SPORT BEACH 2025.

Throughout the year, Stagwell is expanding SPORT BEACH's presence by bringing SPORT BEACH Clubhouses to major industry and sporting events worldwide.

"Our Clubhouses at SXSW, Super Bowl and the World Economic Forum reinforced how sport is a door opener into conversations driving the business, cultural and innovation landscape, and how important it is to be having these conversations now," said Beth Sidhu, Stagwell's Chief Brand and Communications Officer.

Newly Announced 2025 Athlete & Media Partners

• Jordan Chiles (gymnastics) – Jordan Chiles is a renowned gymnast and two-time Olympian. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, she helped secure a silver medal for Team USA with a standout performance. A passionate advocate for body positivity and mental health, Chiles inspires young athletes around the globe. In 2022, she became one of only three Black gymnasts to sweep the podium at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships, and the following year, she earned two NCAA individual titles with UCLA while embarking on a new chapter as a Nike athlete. Returning to elite competition in 2024, Chiles played a key role in leading Team USA to a gold medal at the Paris Olympics, cementing her status as a trailblazer in the sport.
• Akbar Gbajabiamila (football and media) – Akbar Gbajabiamila, a returning partner to SPORT BEACH, is the current Host of NBC's four-time Emmy-nominated series American Ninja Warrior, Emmy-nominated host of CBS' hit show, The Talk, Roku's newest original series, Fight To Survive, and he also joined NFL Network's Good Morning Football for the 2024-2025 Season. Akbar also recently hosted the breakout hit, "Tokyo Live!" which debuted on Peacock and covered the Tokyo Olympics as well as hosting multiple seasons of American Ninja Warrior Jr and Team Ninja. Akbar's critically acclaimed book "Everyone Can Be a Ninja: Find Your Inner Warrior and Achieve Your Dreams," aims to encourage readers to never give up no matter the obstacle. Akbar is honored to leverage his formidable professional platform to inspire and motivate others as well as advocate for those in need. Currently, he serves on the board for the Asomugha Foundation, which provides pathways to college for disenfranchised youth, as well as for The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.
• Emma Hayes (coach) – Emma Hayes is one of the most influential and accomplished football managers of her generation, known for her leadership and transformative impact on the women's game. With a coaching career spanning over two decades, she has played a pivotal role in shaping modern football and driving the professionalization of the sport. As the head coach of Chelsea Women from 2012 to 2024, Hayes led the club to unprecedented success, securing seven Women's Super League (WSL) titles, five FA Cups, two League Cups, and a UEFA Women's Champions League final appearance. Under her leadership, Chelsea became a dominant force in both English and European football, known for their attacking style, depth of talent, and winning mentality. In 2024, Hayes took on a historic new role as head coach of the U.S. Women's National Team (USWNT), bringing her strategic expertise and elite-level experience to one of the most successful teams in international football. Beyond her coaching achievements, Hayes is a respected media analyst, keynote speaker, advocate for gender equity in sports and author of "My Leadership Playbook."
• Scotty James (snowboarding) – With two Olympics medals, 10 X Games Medals and three World Halfpipe Championship Gold Medals, there is no bigger name in snowboarding than Scotty James. Scotty just made history in Aspen, winning his fourth consecutive and 7th Gold Medal at X Games –tied for most ever in the Men's Super Pipe. Off the snow, Scotty is making an impact in the entrepreneurial space, producing top-quality content via his owned and operated production company 11Oakland. He is also building out a comprehensive portfolio of strategic investments across the technology and consumer product industry, headlined by his recently announced role as a strategic advisor and investor for the X Games. Through this position, Scotty plays a pivotal role in guiding the growth and direction of the X Games business through forging strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, contributing to strategic planning, facilitating athlete feedback, and much more. On top of that, Scotty most recently released two children's books "MOOKi vs The Big Scary" and "MOOKi vs The Terrible Toys" with Penguin.
• Joakim Noah (basketball) – Joakim Noah played 13 years in the NBA (9 with the Chicago Bulls). He was a two-time NBA all star (2013/2014), 2014 Defensive Player of the Year and 2015 winner of the J. Walter Kennedy award for citizenship. He made the All NBA First Team in 2014. In 2010, along with his mother, the sculptor and expressive art therapist Cecilia Rodhe, Joakim started the Noah's Arc Foundation, which aims to give youth a stronger sense of self using art and sports as tools for development. Noah's Arc has worked extensively with youth in Chicago, as well as Joakim's father Yannick's hometown of Yaounde, Cameroon. The foundation continues to operate in Chicago and in continental Africa to this day. In 2022, Joakim was named an ambassador for the Basketball Africa League, highlighting his vision and commitment to the African diaspora on a global level. In 2023, Joakim in conjunction with his Noah's Arc Foundation restarted the ONE CITY Basketball League in Chicago with 28 different violence interruption groups. In 2023, Joakim was named an ambassador to the NBA. Joakim is also an NBA Africa investor to the BAL Ambassador Line.
• Derrick Rose (basketball) – Derrick Rose is a former NBA MVP and 3x NBA All-Star. Rose attended Simeon Career Academy in Chicago, where he became one of the most highly recruited high school basketball players in the country. In the 2008 NBA Draft, Rose was selected as the first overall pick by the Chicago Bulls. He quickly established himself as one of the league's most exciting young players, winning the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in 2009 and becoming an All-Star in each of his first three seasons. He is the youngest player to be named MVP in NBA history. Rose's impact goes beyond the basketball court. He is also known for his tireless dedication to his community. In 2014, Rose donated $1 million to After School Matters, a Chicago charity that provides innovative out-of-school programs for teenagers. In 2018, Rose announced the launch of The Rose Scholars, providing hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarship money to high school students for their college expenses. He is also the author of I'll Show You, which was published in 2019. After 15 years, Derrick retired from the NBA in 2024 and will have his jersey retired by the Chicago Bulls in the 2025-26 season
• Shannon Sharpe (football and media) – Shannon Sharpe is a former American football player and sports television personality known as one of the greatest tight ends to ever play the game, and he is returning to SPORT BEACH once again this year. During Shannon's time in the NFL, his accomplishments led him to the Hall of Fame Class of 2011. These included becoming a three-time Super Bowl Champion, eight-time Pro Bowler, and four time First-Team All-Pro. After hanging up his cleats, Shannon launched an award-winning broadcasting career, culminating in the creation of Shay Shay Media—his production powerhouse. Under Shay Shay Media, Shannon produces two of the fastest-growing podcasts in history: "Club Shay Shay" and "Nightcap." In 2024 alone, these shows amassed over 1 billion views on YouTube and generated more than 9 billion impressions. "Club Shay Shay" also broke records with the most-watched interview of the year, surpassing 87 million views and won an award for Outstanding Podcast - Society and Culture for the 2025 NAACP Image Awards. "Nightcap" with Chad Johnson has become the fastest growing live stream in YouTube history reaching over 4 billion impressions. In 2024, Shannon earned widespread recognition, with accolades from iHeart Radio, the Webby Awards, and the BET Hip Hop Awards. He was also celebrated as NAACP Image Awards' Entertainer of the Year Nominee, Ebony Magazine's Power 100 Media Maven, and one of The New York Times' Breakout Stars of 2024. Beyond media, Shannon is an accomplished entrepreneur. He's the founder of the fast-growing clothing brand EIGHTYFOUR and in 2021 Shannon co-founded the award-winning Cognac brand "Le Portier" inspired by his grandmother, Mary Porter. His "Shay" by LePortier has been recognized at the World Sip competition as #1 VSOP for taste. Shannon is also currently a contributor on ESPN's "First Take" with Stephen A. Smith.

Newly Announced 2025 Brand Partners

• Epidemic Sound has transformed the soundtracking experience for global brands and professional creators, with an expansive catalog of world-class music and sound effects that's seen and heard over 2.5 billion times a day around the globe. Providing a direct license model that comes with all rights included and next-generation soundtracking tools, Epidemic Sound empowers creators to unlock more feeling in everything they create and share their stories with the world. Epidemic Sound continuously enriches its world-class catalog of music by teaming up with artists, composers, and producers to create tracks spanning all genres, while supporting them financially and creatively.
• Fanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform, igniting the passions of sports fans across several distinct businesses and experiences. Through Fanatics, fans can buy their favorite jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, autographs, and memorabilia; collect physical and digital trading cards; attend sports fan festivals, and much more. With the launch of Fanatics Advertising, brands can now participate in this vast ecosystem by engaging fans across the Fanatics portfolio. From advertising across Fanatics.com, league and partner sites, and related apps; to reaching consumers via its Sports Retail Media Network; and at Fanatics Fest, the world's largest arena for sports and collectibles bringing more than 100,000 fans together to celebrate their favorite leagues, athletes, and celebrities. If brands want to be where sports and culture converge, the Fanatics platform is the place to start.
• Meta returns to SPORT BEACH for a second year, elevating the sports experience through innovation and connection. As Meta builds the future of human interaction, SPORT BEACH attendees will engage in cutting-edge activations, from immersive Quest MR experiences—like watching a game courtside—to exclusive activations on our private charter flight. Meta's presence underscores its commitment to reimagining how fans connect, play, and experience sports in the digital age.
• New York Life Insurance Company, a Fortune 100 company founded in 1845, is the largest mutual life insurance company in the United States¹ and one of the largest life insurers in the world. Headquartered in New York City, New York Life's family of companies offers life insurance, disability income insurance, retirement income, investments, and long-term care insurance. New York Life has the highest financial strength ratings currently awarded to any U.S. life insurer from all four of the major credit rating agencies.²
• Peloton is a fitness and technology company that motivates more than six million Members globally to grow stronger every day. Peloton provides Members with expert instruction and world-class content to create impactful and entertaining workout experiences for anyone at any stage in their fitness journey, at home, outdoors, traveling, or at the gym. Peloton and select Peloton Instructors will be bringing an engaging fitness experience to this year's SPORT BEACH.
• Premion is a 16-time award-winning, industry-leading CTV/OTT advertising platform. With the scale to reach streaming TV viewers across all 210 U.S. DMAs, Premion's platform is purpose-built with a local-first approach, delivering CTV and omnichannel advertising with tailored campaign performance that prioritizes premium content, brand safety, advanced targeting, and measurable outcomes. In 2024, Premion was recognized with the CYNOPSIS Best of the Best Award for Best Ad Targeting Solution and the Digiday Media Award for Best Use of Audience Insights. The company earned "TAG Platinum" status and is certified by the Trustworthy Accountability Group (TAG) for Brand Safety, Against Fraud, and Against Malware. For more information, visit www.premion.com.

Previously announced SPORT BEACH brand partners include: Ad Results Media (ARM), The Athletic, Channel Factory, The Chicago Bulls, Clio Sports, Microsoft Advertising, NBCUniversal, Scripps Sports and VII(N) The Seventh Estate.

For the full roster of leaders, innovators, and cultural influencers joining SPORT BEACH 2025, visit sportbeach.com.

Stagwell invites brands, athletes, sports leagues, media platforms and other interested parties to reach out to SportBeach@stagwellglobal.com to get involved.

About Stagwell
Stagwell is the challenger holding company built to transform marketing. We deliver scaled creative performance for the world's most ambitious brands, connecting culture-moving creativity with leading-edge technology to harmonize the art and science of marketing. Led by entrepreneurs, our specialists in 40+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for our clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.   

Contact:
Kara Gelber
PR@stagwellglobal.com 

-----------------------

1 Based on revenue as reported by "Fortune 500 ranked within Industries, Insurance: Life, Health (Mutual)," Fortune magazine, 6/4/2024. For methodology, please see https://fortune.com/franchise-list-page/fortune-500-methodology-2023/.

2 Individual independent rating agency commentary as of 10/4/2024: A.M. Best (A++), Fitch (AAA), Moody's Investors Service (Aaa), Standard & Poor's (AA+).

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stagwell-stgw-reveals-latest-draft-picks-for-sport-beach-2025-including-a-mix-of-new-and-returning-athletes-and-brand-partners-302401302.html

SOURCE Stagwell Inc.

FAQ

What new athletes are joining Stagwell's SPORT BEACH 2025?

Jordan Chiles, Akbar Gbajabiamila, Emma Hayes, Scotty James, Joakim Noah, Derrick Rose, and Shannon Sharpe are the newly announced athletes for SPORT BEACH 2025.

Which major brands have partnered with STGW for SPORT BEACH 2025?

New brand partners include Epidemic Sound, Fanatics, Meta, New York Life Insurance, Peloton, and Premion.

How is Stagwell (STGW) expanding SPORT BEACH's presence in 2025?

Stagwell is bringing SPORT BEACH Clubhouses to major industry and sporting events worldwide throughout the year.

What is the purpose of Stagwell's SPORT BEACH 2025 event?

The event aims to inspire conversations surrounding every facet of sport, connecting business, cultural, and innovation landscapes.