NGB Webpages
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Athlete Ombuds:
Athlete Ombuds Marketing Support
Team USA Athletes may contact the Athlete Ombuds for confidential, independent advice regarding their rights and obligations regarding athlete marketing and commercial terms, and athlete agreements.
In particular, the Athlete Ombuds can assist with questions involving:
- Right to image, right of publicity and general media releases
- Athlete Agreements containing commercial obligations
- Commercial/Sponsor appearances for National Governing Bodies (NGBs)
- Individual sponsorship agreements
- The use of USOPC or NGB marks and logos
- Right to select Personal Performance Gear / Specialized Equipment during Protected Competition
- Rule 40 and advertising restrictions during a Games
- Rule 50 and manufacturer logo restrictions (with International Federation regulations, or at the Games) during a Games
- Social media guidelines during a Games
- Additional information may be found on the USOPC athlete marketing page.
A National Governing Body of a sport may require an athlete to sign an agreement in order to participate as a member or competitor.
Such agreements may include:
- Terms of participation
- Code of Conduct
- General media release
- National Team/Event Agreement
An NGB cannot require an athlete to sign commercial terms as a condition of membership, or participation on a national team or in an event. However, there can be mutually agreed upon terms which support both the athlete’s and NGB’s interests.
The USOPC policy regarding NGB athlete agreements sets out the basic parameters for certain agreements that an NGB should explicitly require of its athletes as a condition of participation, and optional commercial agreements that must remain voluntary, in a way that balances the rights and needs of both NGBs and athletes. Athletes should consult the athlete agreement for their respective sport for more information.
Athlete Ombuds Commercial Agreements Resource Program#
- Learn More
The purpose of the Team USA Commercial Agreements Resource program is to empower eligible Team USA athletes to better understand their rights and value in the marketplace, specific terms of a commercial agreement, impacts of an agreement on their name, image, and likeness, as well as how the USOPC Athlete Marketing Platform (AMP), NGB-Athlete agreements, and/or commercial sponsorship agreements intersect with other commercial commitments and opportunities.
** Eligibility Requirements Apply
Additional Commercial Resources#
USOPC Marketing & Promotion
Go HereLearn more about the marketing and branding resources availible via the USOPC by visiting the marketing and promotion section of the USOPC Athlete Services webpage.
Team USA AC - Commercial Resources
Go HereLearn more about the resources and support the Team USA Athletes' Comission provides athletes on their commercial resources webpage.
Disclaimer:
Please note that advice from any member of the Office of the Athlete Ombuds, including but not limited to information provided on this website, does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. The Athlete Ombuds will offer neutral, independent advice to any athlete, and athletes should always seek legal counsel if they want specific legal advice or individual representation. See our homepage for our full disclaimer.