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Here's a look at some of the biggest Google Pixel partnership deals

Robert Triggs / Android Authority Like it or not, marketing influences all of us. We tend to gravitate towards products we hear often about, those used by our friends and family, and especially those endorsed by sports teams and celebrities we admire. This isn’t accidental; companies strategically associate their products with people and organizations that […]

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1 month ago

May 6, 2025

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Here's a look at some of the biggest Google Pixel partnership deals

Robert Triggs / Android Authority

Like it or not, marketing influences all of us. We tend to gravitate towards products we hear often about, those used by our friends and family, and especially those endorsed by sports teams and celebrities we admire. This isn’t accidental; companies strategically associate their products with people and organizations that reflect their values and evoke positive emotions. Think of that famous basketball player many aspire to be like, or the sports team fresh off a championship win. Musicians, actors, and online influencers with dedicated followings also hold significant sway over public opinion and purchasing decisions.

Google has been investing heavily in promoting its Pixel smartphone lineup, and the results are beginning to show — to a point. While the company reportedly achieved strong quarterly sales figures recently, it still faces a challenge in breaking into the top five global smartphone manufacturers.

Let’s explore some of the most prominent and recognizable partnership deals Google has secured for its Pixel phones. This isn’t an exhaustive list, and the exact financial terms remain confidential, but it’s safe to assume these partnerships represent substantial investments.

Basketball partnership: NBA, WNBA, and G League

In 2021, Google forged a significant partnership with the NBA, which remains active today and extends to the WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) and the NBA G League. Under this agreement, the Google Pixel is designated as the “Official Fan Phone of the NBA.” Consequently, fans frequently encounter Pixel advertising during games, and major events like the NBA Playoffs are often presented under the “Presented by Google Pixel” slogan.

Pixel phones played a central role during events like the All-Star Weekend, where Google set up immersive “Pixel House” experiences. These allowed attendees to directly test Pixel features, potentially including capabilities like its AI tools and Google Lens, showcasing the phone’s technology in an engaging environment.

Basketball is a massive global enterprise that generates a worldwide following. The sport evokes strong emotions tied to team performance. As the world’s premier basketball league, the NBA aligns with Google’s strategy of associating the Pixel brand with excellence and success. Furthermore, the partnership is centered in the US — Google’s home market — where the company aims to significantly expand its market share, leveraging the high purchasing power and consumer willingness to invest in premium smartphones. While the exact financial details are undisclosed, such a league-wide partnership likely involves an annual investment well into the millions of dollars.

Football partnership: Premier League powerhouses

Shifting focus across the Atlantic, Google is also keen on boosting its presence in Europe. A key strategy involves teaming up with some of the most prestigious football (soccer) clubs on the continent. Currently, Google Pixel serves as the official mobile phone partner for two English giants: Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC.

The Premier League is arguably the most-watched football league globally, boasting a massive fanbase not only in the UK and Europe but around the world. Recognizing the success of its sports partnership model, Google appears to be replicating this strategy in key international markets.

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah recently took a viral selfie with fans using a Pixel phone.

Fans will notice Google and Pixel branding during matches. There’s also a social media segment called “Pitchside, Presented by Pixel,” which features videos shot on Pixel phones, capturing everything from match-day atmosphere to player reactions, shared across the clubs’ official channels.

Recently, an image circulated showing Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah taking a selfie with fans using a Pixel phone after scoring a crucial goal. While generating buzz, it remains unclear whether this was a spontaneous moment or a cleverly integrated promotional element.

The financial scale of these club-specific deals is unknown but likely less than the comprehensive NBA partnership. However, given the stature of these clubs and the Premier League’s reach, the investment undoubtedly runs into the millions annually.

Tennis partnership: Australian Open

From North America and Europe, Google’s strategy extends to the Asia-Pacific region, specifically targeting Australia. To grow its business and Pixel sales down under, Google has entered into another major sports sponsorship, this time focusing on tennis.

Google Pixel is the “official smartphone and official camera of the Australian Open.” This partnership goes beyond simple branding. It leverages the Pixel’s camera technology, particularly its AI capabilities, to offer fans unique perspectives and content. This includes new in-play viewing angles and showcasing iconic moments captured with Pixel phones, both on and off the court. Much of this exclusive content, tagged with #PixelPerspective, is shared extensively on social media, demonstrating the phone’s camera quality. Naturally, traditional Pixel advertisements are also featured during tournament broadcasts.

Tennis enjoys widespread global popularity, making the Australian Open a valuable platform. While the deal’s value is confidential, it represents another multi-million-dollar annual commitment to associating Pixel with world-class sporting events.

Celebrity and athlete endorsements

Beyond partnerships with leagues and clubs, Google collaborates directly with individual athletes and other celebrities. This includes actors, musicians, and online influencers who command significant followings.

Giannis Antetokounmpo serves as a prominent Pixel ambassador.

Among the most visible endorsements are likely those with top NBA players. Giannis Antetokounmpo serves as a prominent Pixel ambassador, frequently appearing in promotional materials. As a superstar with global appeal — popular in the US and with strong ties to his home country Greece — he offers extensive reach.

Jimmy Butler is another example, known not only for his basketball prowess but also for his engaging personality. Athletes like these are highly sought after by brands because they connect with fans both on and off the court.

Other notable athletes who are or have been part of “Team Pixel” include NBA players Joel Embiid and Jalen Green, and WNBA stars like Candace Parker and Kelsey Plum. The list extends to various other celebrities across different fields.

Other notable partnerships

While the above represent some of the largest deals, Google employs a diverse range of partnerships:

McLaren Formula 1: Google has a deal with the McLaren F1 team, which has shown strong performance recently. This partnership isn’t Pixel-exclusive; branding often features Android and Chrome logos on the car and team gear. However, we have seen McLaren drivers promoting Pixel phones. Associating with F1 effectively conveys messages of speed, cutting-edge technology, and global reach.
National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL): Google is the “official mobile phone partner” of the NWSL in the US. Furthermore, it serves as the “presenting sponsor” of the NWSL Playoffs and Championship, aligning the Pixel brand with the rapidly growing sport of women’s soccer.

These examples highlight Google’s multi-faceted strategy to embed the Pixel brand within popular culture, particularly through associations with successful sports organizations, globally recognized events, and influential personalities. By aligning Pixel with winners, high performance, and passionate fan bases across different regions and demographics, Google aims to build brand awareness, positive sentiment, and ultimately, drive sales in the competitive smartphone market. These efforts are ongoing, with new partnerships likely emerging as Google continues its push for growth.

Did I miss any major Pixel partnerships you’re aware of? Let me know in the comments!

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Ex-Georgia QB Carson Beck’s Massive NIL Deal With Miami Revealed

Ex-Georgia QB Carson Beck’s Massive NIL Deal With Miami Revealed originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In the NIL era of college football, quarterbacks don’t have to make the NFL to become millionaires. Signal-callers are reaching paydays in the multi-millions per season at the college level. Advertisement There’s few better examples of that than former Georgia […]

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30 minutes ago

June 10, 2025

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Ex-Georgia QB Carson Beck’s Massive NIL Deal With Miami Revealed originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

In the NIL era of college football, quarterbacks don’t have to make the NFL to become millionaires. Signal-callers are reaching paydays in the multi-millions per season at the college level.

There’s few better examples of that than former Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck.

On3’s Pete Nakos reported Sunday that Beck will make in excess of $4 million to play for the Miami Hurricanes this fall.

“One thing is clear: The price of an elite quarterback is not dropping,” Nakos wrote. “In this year’s college football transfer portal, jaw-dropping quarterback numbers included a $3 million offer from Duke for Darian Mensah.

“Georgia’s Carson Beck transferred to Miami and stands to make more than $4 million. Missouri agreed to terms on a $1.5 million deal with Penn State transfer Beau Pribula in December, too.”

Former Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck© Joshua L&period; Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Bobby Carpenter Show host Anthony Schlegel said during the first week of June that Beck was going to make $4.3 million with his NIL deal in 2025.

Schlegel said that is ranked second-highest in college football behind only Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning.

Beck announced his decision to transfer from Georgia to Miami on January 10, which was just a little more than a week after the Bulldogs suffered their playoff defeat to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Beck didn’t play in that game because of an elbow injury, which he sustained in the SEC Championship Game versus Texas.

During his final season with the Bulldogs, Beck completed 64.7% of his passes for 3,485 passing yards with 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The quarterback posted significantly better statistics during 2023.

In Miami, Beck will replace quarterback Cam Ward, who became the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Related: Coveted Playmaker Sends Clear Message on Future With Historic College Football Program

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.

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Gamecocks Athletic Director Hesitates to Reveal NIL Budget for Football vs Basketball, Others

Gamecocks Athletic Director Hesitates to Reveal NIL Budget for Football vs Basketball, Others originally appeared on Athlon Sports. South Carolina’s Director of Athletics, Jeremiah Donati, gave a cryptic answer when a reporter asked how the NIL salary budget is going to be split among different sports teams like football and basketball. The response comes months […]

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31 minutes ago

June 10, 2025

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Gamecocks Athletic Director Hesitates to Reveal NIL Budget for Football vs Basketball, Others originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

South Carolina’s Director of Athletics, Jeremiah Donati, gave a cryptic answer when a reporter asked how the NIL salary budget is going to be split among different sports teams like football and basketball. The response comes months after women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley mentioned that new players shouldn’t join her team if they wanted to make a lot of NIL money.

Following a federal judge’s approval of the landmark House vs. NCAA settlement, universities will be able to distribute up to $20.5 million directly to student athletes this year. In a letter posted online, Donati said they planned to give the maximum to students this year.

But when The State previously asked Donati how the Gamecocks will be splitting the budget up among different sports teams, like football or basketball, he wouldn’t give specifics, citing competition.

“Well, one, (the settlement) needs to be approved, but we know what those budgets will be and we’ve already communicated that with coaches,” Donati said in late May, before the judge’s final approval. “All those budgets are set (but) that’s not something we’ll reveal publicly, just for competitive purposes. It’s proprietary, but all that stuff has been baked.”

The response came after Georgia athletic director Josh Brooks had initially said that 75% of their money would go to football players, 15% to men’s basketball, 5% to women’s basketball, and 5% to other teams. Brooks later walked back those comments and said distributions were evolving, The State reported.

In late March during a postgame press conference, when talking about how upcoming NIL shifts might impact recruiting, Staley said she wasn’t sure that NIL payments were fair.

“I don’t think we’re paying the most in the NIL space,” she said. “But I don’t even know if it’s fair, to be quite honest. It’s what it is.”

Staley added that players shouldn’t join her team if they wanted to make a lot of money.

“You either have it or you don’t in the NIL space, and then you just have to communicate that to agents, to parents and give them a choice…” she said. “You got non-negotiables, you got priorities. What are your priorities? Is it NIL? If it’s NIL, I’m quick to say, ‘Go get the money. Put it away.’ … If you want something different, a different experience, then we’ve been the five straight final fours. We know what that looks like and feels like and sounds like and what goes into that. We’re gonna give you a different experience, you know, that’s gonna cost you a few dollars.”

Related: Gamecocks Star Football Player Ranks in Nation’s Top 10 for NIL Valuation

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.

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Paul Finebaum: House settlement will only help the rich in college athletics

Paul Finebaum gave a stern warning about the implications that the recently approved House vs. NCAA settlement will have on college athletics. It is set to bring a wave of changes to the sport, most notably allowing universities to directly pay athletes for the first time ever. But according to Finebaum, it might not have […]

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48 minutes ago

June 10, 2025

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Paul Finebaum gave a stern warning about the implications that the recently approved House vs. NCAA settlement will have on college athletics. It is set to bring a wave of changes to the sport, most notably allowing universities to directly pay athletes for the first time ever.

But according to Finebaum, it might not have the desired impact save for the two most powerful conferences in the sport already, the SEC and Big Ten. He believes those schools will see bigger benefits as well as bigger pay days as a result of the new changes while the remaining conferences will be left picking up the scraps. He also worried how it might affect sports outside of football and men’s basketball.

“It means very little, really,” Finebaum said on the Dan Patrick Show. “This is all very complicated. A lot of legal mumbo jumbo. What I think it will really mean, though, if you’re a fan of a Group of 5 school, if you’re a fan of a school somewhere in the middle, get ready for hard times.

“This is only going to help the rich. The big leagues, the Big Ten, the SEC will more than likely profit because they have so much money. Women’s sports, in my opinion, will be hurt. Olympic sports will be crushed. Football wins. Basketball, other than maybe the Big East, takes a slight backseat.”

Direct payments to players isn’t the only change coming as a result of the new settlement. There will also be set roster limits for each sport as well as an NIL clearinghouse for deals greater than $600.

Ultimately, Paul Finebaum sees this possibly being the final nail in the coffin for the NCAA. The organization has already been losing power due to all the recent changes and Sankey revealed at the SEC Spring Meetings that people within the SEC have brought up the possibility of separating from the NCAA entirely.

This settlement only makes that an even stronger possibility. However, as Finebaum mentioned, one has to wonder what that could mean for a vast majority of other schools left in the wake.

“The NCAA is essentially dead and I know a lot of people are celebrating,” he said. “But the damage that has been done by this organization is incalculable and it’s really about time. What did we grow up thinking about when we thought of the NCAA? The enforcement part of it. The big, bad NCAA is coming to your town. They don’t even have any jurisdiction for that any more.

“By the way, not that they have in about the last five years. They’ve been completely ineffective. So if you’re the NCAA president, who happens to be Charlie Baker, you get to fly around on a luxury plane, you’re welcomed at Taj Mahal, you stay at five-star resorts. But essentially, you have absolutely nothing to do but try to look busy.”

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New NIL Clearinghouse to Use Arbitration in Evaluating Athlete Deals

With final approval being granted on Friday, the House settlement brings several new elements to the NCAA beginning next season, highlighted by the revenue sharing cap and the implementation of roster limits. One of the controversial aspects of the settlement is the clearinghouse procedure for reviewing NIL deals that exceed $600. The accounting firm Deloitte […]

Published

5 hours ago

June 10, 2025

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New NIL Clearinghouse to Use Arbitration in Evaluating Athlete Deals

One of the controversial aspects of the settlement is the clearinghouse procedure for reviewing NIL deals that exceed $600.

The accounting firm Deloitte has established a clearinghouse, known as NIL Go, that will audit and manage NIL deals, verifying whether or not agreements between athletes and boosters are for a valid business purpose rather than a recruiting incentive.

According to Sportico, “the clearinghouse will use a fair market algorithm to assess if an NIL deal has a plausible relationship to the value of the athlete’s right of publicity in the context of a proposed deal.”

The process of what happens once NIL Go evaluates a deal was recently reported by The Athletic‘s Chris Vannini:

Here’s the process of how NIL deals will be evaluated by the clearinghouse, and what happens if a deal is not approved.

(There will probably be lawsuits) pic.twitter.com/7FfB8eOuDg

— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) June 7, 2025

Although there is a concern that the denial of NIL deals will lead athletes and businesses to file lawsuits against the clearinghouse, the presence of arbitration will likely “deter attorneys who would otherwise jump at the chance to bring a lawsuit that would attract media attention,” Sportico‘s Michael McCann reports.

Once a case is taken to arbitration, things are conducted outside of public view, and the arbiter’s decision is final.

The College Sports Commission, which is reportedly looking to hire a lead investigator who would be the arbiter of NIL deals, recently announced MLB executive Bryan Seeley as its CEO.

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Jenna Lord Tabbed at No. 70 in Softball America Postseason Top 100 Player Rankings

Story Links MERCER ISLAND, Wash. — Charlotte Softball third baseman, Jenna Lord, named to Softball America Postseason Top 100 Player Rankings list at No. 70 after historic 2025 season. Lord, who was named American Conference Player of the Year, clocked in at number 70 in the nation on Softball America’s postseason top […]

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6 hours ago

June 10, 2025

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MERCER ISLAND, Wash. — Charlotte Softball third baseman, Jenna Lord, named to Softball America Postseason Top 100 Player Rankings list at No. 70 after historic 2025 season.

Lord, who was named American Conference Player of the Year, clocked in at number 70 in the nation on Softball America’s postseason top 100 players list after one of the greatest single seasons in Charlotte Softball history.

Lord’s 2025 season included batting .410 in 178 at-bats, a slugging percentage of .865%, 21 home runs, and 65 RBI. Lord is now the single-season record holder in Charlotte Softball history for both RBI and Slugging Percentage. Her 2025 season also ranks in the top three in Charlotte history in homers, batting average, total bases, hits, and runs.

Not only did Lord make a splash in the Charlotte record books, but she also led the American Conference in nearly every batting stat, including slugging, home runs, hits, OPS, runs scored, and RBI, earning her title of 2025 American Conference Player of the Year.

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Ohio State launches groundbreaking NIL initiative for Buckeye sports

After Judge Claudia Wilken approved the House vs. NCAA settlement on Friday, collegiate athletics changed forever. Now, teams are trying to keep up with the changing landscape, while trying to allocate the new ‘salary cap’. Schools will have roughly $20.5 million to pay their sports — with college football and men’s basketball getting most of […]

Published

8 hours ago

June 10, 2025

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