By Allison Watkinson
TLL Reporter
Sprouts Farmers Market is marking Women’s History Month by supporting eight new Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals with female athletes from schools in Sprouts communities across the country.
Sprouts is a long-term and dedicated supporter of women’s sports. To date, Sprouts has executed more than 150 female athlete deals through NIL partnerships, solidifying its position as a key supporter of women’s sports.
In 2022, Sprouts celebrated the 50th anniversary of Title IX with 50 NIL sponsorships of female athletes within the Pac-12 and Big 12 conferences. In 2023, it continued its commitment to women’s athletics with more than 45 partnerships with college athletes.
“Sprouts’ remains steadfast in our commitment to elevate women’s athletics through ongoing NIL partnerships with talented female athletes,” said Alisa Gmelich, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of Sprouts. “We’re thrilled to extend our support with eight new partnerships, reaffirming our ongoing dedication to empowering women and fostering opportunities for women in athletics.”
Sprouts Farmers Market is a grocery retailer that is based on the concept and heritage of traditional farm stands. The retailer features shops with an open layout with fresh produce at the heart of the store.
NCAA Tournament Scores $20–35 Million in Licensed Retail Sales
The health-conscious grocer focuses on bringing the latest in wholesome, innovative products made with lifestyle-friendly ingredients such as organic, plant-based and gluten-free. Headquartered in Phoenix, and one of the largest and fastest growing specialty retailers of fresh, natural and organic food in the United States, Sprouts employs approximately 32,000 team members and operates more than 400 stores in 23 states nationwide.
Sprouts undertook its program to empowering women both on and off the field in 2022, whether its through providing access to healthy groceries or forming impactful partnerships with powerhouse athletes and organizations.
Here are the 8 new Sprouts female athlete sponsorships:
- Cameron Brink, Basketball This season, Brink was named the Pac-12 Conference’s Women’s Basketball Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.
- Hailey Merchant, Gymnastics Merchant, a talented gymnast, has twice been recognized by her conference for her scholastic accomplishments by being named to their All-Conference Scholastic Team.
- Jordan Bowers, Gymnastics Bowers boasts five NCAA All-American titles, two national championships, two Big 12 Conference Championships and was named the 2022 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year.
- Lauren Gustin, Basketball In the 2022-23 season, Gustin led the country in rebounds and defensive rebounds per game and is a two-time All-Conference First Team selection.
- Logan Cole, Softball Last season, Cole had three games with multiple hits, including a two-RBI game, and saw time at shortstop, second base and outfield.
- Brooke Donabedian, Gymnastics Donabedian holds her school record for a floor routine score of 9.950, which she has accomplished twice. Throughout the 2023 season, she secured five separate floor event wins.
- Sarah Sylvester, Basketball and Volleyball Sylvester is the first player in her school’s history to play both volleyball and women’s basketball at the varsity level. She was the only player to start every volleyball match this past season and was named Big 12 Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week in September 2023.
- Alyssa Washington, Softball Washington was named to the All-Big 12 Freshman team in 2021 and the All-Big Second Team in 2022. In the 2023 season, she started 38 games at third base and shortstop.
For more information on the company’s programs to support women in sport, visit https://www.sprouts.com/women-in-sports/.
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