Olympic Legend Shaun White Is Still a Major Endorsement Star

Shaun White, who has competed in his fifth and last Olympics, is still a major endorsement draw, with his sponsorship portfolio cementing his legacy as an enduring global sports star. His partnerships still net him well into seven figures and those who book Shaun White continue to reap the benefits of his popularity.

White has three gold medals from the Winter Olympics and 13 from the Winter X Games, and he has continuously risen to the top of the all-time sports greats list. He is a snowboarding icon who is most strongly associated with his sport at this year's Beijing Olympics. White's popularity guarantees that, some 30 years after signing his first endorsement deal with Burton Snowboards at the age of 7, he still has a hold on brands as he finishes off his final competition.

In the 12 months leading up to the Olympics, Forbes estimates that White earned $1.5 million in guaranteed payments from his sponsors.

“From an endorsement perspective, he’s a sure bet,” said John Grady, a sports law professor at the University of South Carolina and an Olympic sponsorship expert.

Winter Olympians have a small and shrinking pool of endorsement opportunities. This is especially true in action sports, like snowboarding, which have a limited international competition schedule compared to alpine skiing. White, on the other hand, makes the most of his partnerships.

White has signed six long-term deals in the last year, including Celsius energy drinks, Krave beef jerky, and the Masters workout app. He recently left Burton to create Whitespace, an apparel and equipment line with an exclusive distribution partnership with online retailer Backcountry. He is also a part of a new NFT drop through the game developer, nWay.

White experienced an incredible run of success, earning 23 X Games medals in total, including five in skateboarding during the summer edition. He became known as "The Flying Tomato" for his bright-red hair after he won gold medals in three of his four Olympic appearances. He also found himself at the center of a marketing firestorm, collaborating with major consumer companies such as American Express, Hewlett-Packard, Target, and Mountain Dew.

To book Shaun White for a speaking engagement, appearance or endorsement deal, contact Athlete Speakers today! We are the leading organization when it comes to aligning clients with sports talent. Fill out our Online Booking Request Form or call us at 1-800-916-6008 to get started. 

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