The NFL Draft has come and gone and while hundreds of players have new teams to go to, many also have additional partners as they begin their professional careers. In the lead-up and during the draft, several endorsement partnerships were revealed with some of the very top prospects entering the league.
The apparel giants like Nike, Adidas and Under Armour battled it out to ink endorsement deals with players as always, while quite a few players agreed to unique pacts with other less-expected brands. Here is a rundown of the agreements signed by the top ten in the NFL Draft.
1. Joe Burrow
Endorsements: Fanatics, Nike, Bose
As the top pick in the draft and the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Burrow was certainly a prize for endorsers. The deal that stands out the most is a multiyear contract with Fanatics. They are now Burrow’s exclusive autograph and memorabilia carrier. He will sign both LSU and Cincinnati Bengals gear for Fanatics, with a football costing consumers $400 and a jersey costing $600, per the Action Network's Darren Rovell.
2. Chase Young
Endorsements: Under Armour, Beats by Dre, Old Spice, FedEx
Young had several sponsored social media posts in the lead-up to, during and after the draft. He was one of just a handful of prospects to sign with Under Armour, including and Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor. Young was also the only major prospect to break rank with Bose and instead agree to promote Beats by Dre.
3. Jeff Okudah
Endorsements: Bose
As the highest-drafted corner since Shawn Springs in 1997, Okudah can expect more endorsements deals in his future once he hits the field for the Detroit Lions. For the draft, he was one of several players to sport Bose headphones on his social media accounts.
Endorsements: Gillette, Bose
While the virtual draft became a challenge for teams, players and brands looking for endorsement opportunities, several companies created unique social campaigns, like the one that Thomas participated in for Gillette.
Endorsements: Adidas, Muscle Milk, Gillette, Bose, Verizon, Wingstop, Hulu
Due to his high-profile career at Alabama and overall marketability, Tua stands out as the most marketable athlete in the 2020 NFL Draft. Tagovailoa was one of the few players scooped up by Adidas and discussed his decision with fellow Adidas Football star and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, JuJu Smith-Schuster.
“I got really close with Adidas when I went to my first Steve Clarkson camp,” Tagovailoa told Smith-Schuster on the company’s Twitter account. “Ad so, from there, it took off. The relationship you build with everyone, it’s like a family. It’s just how they make you feel, you know? It’s not just something they say, that is family, but it’s something you feel and something you can see.”
In addition to headlining Adidas’ latest football moves, Tagovailoa is appearing in a national TV commercial for Muscle Milk. The “Own Your Strength” spot was the largest exposure point for the new Dolphins signal caller, but he also made a cameo along with Thomas, Jalen Hurts and Cole Kmet in a draft weekend Gillette ad.
Endorsements: Nike, Bose, Head and Shoulders, Flag and Anthem, FedEx, Chipotle
Due to Herbert’s time as a star at the University of Oregon, there was little doubt that he would be a Nike athlete at the next level. Perhaps even more predictably, his flowing locks that have generated much discussion landed him a partnership with Head & Shoulders, a company that already uses NFL legend Troy Polamalu and reigning Super Bowl champ Patrick Mahomes as brand ambassadors.
The casual nature of this stay-at-home draft also opened an opportunity for the Chargers new leading man to work with clothing company Flag and Anthem. Throughout last week, Herbert also made posts for Bose, FedEx and Chipotle on social media.
Endorsements: Nike, Bose, FedEx
Endorsements: Bose, Old Spice, Oikos Protein
Endorsements: Bose, Head & Shoulders
10. Jedrick Wills
Endorsements: Bose, Head & Shoulders
Other Notable NFL Draft Endorsement News
List of Prospects Who Signed Nike Apparel Endorsement Deals
Cam Akers, Derrick Brown, Joe Burrow, J.K. Dobbins, Antonio Gandy-Golden, K.J. Hamler, Justin Herbert, Tee Higgins, Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb, Jordan Love, Denzel Mims, Michael Pittman Jr., Laviska Shenault, D’Andre Swift
Jonathan Taylor Gets a Piece of the Pie
The most interesting endorsement deal of the draft was definitely the agreement former Wisconsin star Jonathan Taylor made with in-state pizza chain, Toppers Pizza. Unlike a traditional partnership where the athlete promotes a brand for money, Taylor has inked a lifetime deal and is now the owner of four-Madison-area franchises.
Bose One of the Biggest Players on Draft Night
The high-end headphone maker, Bose, was a big investor on draft night with several deals inked. They signed nine of the top ten picks, with the lone exception being Young. In addition to those eight, the brand was represented throughout the rest of the draft as well.
Here is the rest of the list: CeeDee Lamb, Jordan Love, Henry Ruggs III, Trevon Diggs, Javon Kinlaw, Kenneth Murray, K’Lavon Chiasson, Ross Blacklock, Brandon Aiyuk, Austin Jackson, Jonathan Taylor, Jaylon Johnson, Terrell Lewis, Mekhi Becton, Yetur Gross-Matos, Chase Claypool, Cole Kmet, Lloyd Cushenberry, Cesar Ruiz, Julian Okwara, A.J. Terrell, Jalen Hurts, Neville Gallimore, Justin Madubuike, Patrick Queen, Ezra Cleveland, Noah Igbinoghene, Prince Tega Wanogho, Josh Uche, Jacob Eason, Laviska Shenault, Zack Moss
If you are interested in booking a top player selected in the NFL Draft for an endorsement deal, appearance or speaking engagement, contact the agents at Athlete Speakers by calling us at 800-916-6008 or by Starting Your Booking Request Now.
