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How Sports Stars Became the New Supermodels

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How Sports Stars Became the New Supermodels

“Show me the money!”, the iconic line from Jerry Maguire, has come to epitomize deals that athletes demand of their sports agents. But that was then. Now, “Show me a luxury brand deal/my own clothing line/front-row seats to Fashion Week” has become the order of the day (though it doesn’t roll off the tongue quite as easily). And the brands have evolved beyond the typical Nike, Adidas, Reebok and Puma contracts. Today, the overlap of high fashion and sports extends to LVMH sponsoring the 2024 Olympics and Formula 1; the 2025 Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race being officially renamed the Chanel J12 Boat Race; Burberry introducing soccer apparel last year; and Prada partnering with the Chinese women’s soccer team for FIFA’s World Cup. 

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Fashion and sports are now so aligned, the crossover has its own international magazine: Players, founded by Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld and famous stylist-editor (and his mom) Carine Roitfeld. “This intersection offers luxury brands a whole new audience,” Vladimir says, with Carine adding, “Sports stars are bigger than the top models.”

Look no further than this year’s Met Ball for proof. The 2025 roster of sports greats at Fashion’s Biggest Night included Lewis Hamilton and LeBron James as hosts, with Serena Williams, Dwyane Wade, Simone Biles, Angel Reese and Colin Kaepernick attending. “NFL players’ fashion choices have become a powerful avenue for additional storytelling,” explains NFL global marketing vp Ian Trombetta, “a touchpoint for new fans to connect with players and the league.” Last year, the NFL appointed its first fashion editor, Kyle Smith.

When did athletes get so chic? Let’s start at how stadium walks became the new catwalk, with James and his Cleveland Cavaliers teammates popping on Thom Browne’s short suits in 2018 or NFL clothes horse Travis Kelce donning a red Amiri suit and matching glasses for his Super Bowl entrance this year (Kelce recently launched his own fashion brand, Tru Kolors). “When they realized how much it could raise their profiles, it all changed,” says a major sports agent of the proliferation of “tunnel ’fits.” “Sharp dressers get sharp deals.” 

LeBron James brought a Louis Vuitton bag before a 2023 game against the Denver Nuggets.

Garrett Ellwood/NBAE/Getty Images

These fat deals range from ambassadorships to branded fashion collections, bags and shoes, enriching top male and female athletes to the tune of 50 to hundreds of millions of dollars a year. Soccer’s David Beckham is now said to be worth half a billion dollars, with $40 million a year from endorsements; Hugo Boss just released the first full line of Beckham x Boss men’s clothes. Williams’ own brand, S by Serena, has played a big part in her $290 million earnings. Rolex ambassador Roger Federer was the first tennis billionaire. Jim Kloiber, founder of Battalion agency, which reps Breitling watches (they signed a novel deal last year with the NFL), gives several reasons luxury brands love sports stars: “Soccer is global, and the NFL and WNBA increase reach — the audience has a bigger range than actors. Athletes are more relatable. Luxury brands get consistent ROI from pro players.” Adds Breitling president Thierry Prissert, “Athletes embody our core values: authenticity and pioneering spirit, not fame. Movie stars bring glamour; sports partnerships offer authentic connection.” (Other watch brands like Jaeger-LeCoultre and Panerai Rolex have also been steady players in the arena.)

Once Louis Vuitton and Gucci ran onto the field, the grass grew even greener. James starred in the first campaign for Pharrell’s Louis Vuitton menswear; LV also sponsors Spanish tennis great Carlos Alcaraz. Top-ranked Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner snagged a Gucci deal in 2023. NBA two-time MVP Steph Curry’s shoe and apparel line Curry, with Under Armour, nets $4 million a year. Portuguese soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo — Instagram’s top performer with 662 million followers — partners with Armani, TAG Heuer and Vuitton because, well, he can. Female athletes are working the deals, too, with tennis star Coco Gauff as the face of New Balance x Miu Miu shoes and tennis apparel. 

For pro athletes, becoming a fashion icon is a bigger deal than you may think. “They might act like they don’t care,” NBA star Wade has said. “But when they get off the bus, they’re fixing their clothes because they’re about to hit that runway.”

This story appeared in the Aug. 20 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.

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College Basketball Rankings: Coaches Poll Top 25 updated after Week 8

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The USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll Top 25 has been refreshed following the eighth week of the season. It was a bit of a light week due to Christmas, but some showdowns still took place amid the holiday celebrations, resulting in some movement throughout the Top 25.

With conference play picking up this coming weekend, we’re getting into the nitty-gritty of the season, where the rankings will fluctuate week-in and week-out. While this past week was packed with tune-up games and not a ton of riveting action, that won’t be the case from now until April.

Regardless, the Coaches Poll Top 25 is certain to see plenty of movement. For now, here’s how things stack up after Week 8. This week’s updated rankings are below.

Michigan enjoyed a full week off and enters the week undefeated at 11–0. The Wolverines return to action with home games against McNeese State on Monday and USC on Friday.

Senior forward Yaxel Lendeborg has been the engine, stuffing the stat sheet with 15.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. Michigan will look to stay perfect as conference play looms.

Arizona
Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Arizona rolled past Bethune 107–71 last Monday to improve to 12–0 on the season. The Wildcats host South Dakota State before traveling to Utah for a road test on Saturday.

Freshman guard Brayden Burries has emerged as a steady scorer, averaging 14.0 points per game. Arizona’s depth and tempo continue to overwhelm opponents early in the season.

Iowa State remained perfect at 12–0 after an off week. The Cyclones host Houston Christian on Monday and West Virginia on Friday.

Junior forward Milan Momcilovic leads the team at 18.3 points per game. Iowa State’s balance continues to separate it from most of the field.

UConn had the week off and remains one of the nation’s most complete teams at 12–1. The Huskies head to Xavier on Wednesday before hosting Marquette on Sunday.

Junior guard Solo Ball leads the backcourt with 15.4 points per game. This week offers a strong measuring stick against Big East competition.

Purdue
Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Purdue stayed idle last week but remains firmly entrenched near the top of the Coaches Poll with an 11–1 record. The Boilermakers face a tricky week with a home matchup against Kent State on Monday before heading to Wisconsin on Saturday.

Senior forward Trey Kaufman-Renn continues to anchor the frontcourt, averaging a double-double at 13.9 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Purdue’s ability to maintain consistency through a two-game week will be closely watched.

Duke remained idle last week and sits at 11–1 entering a two-game stretch. The Blue Devils host Georgia Tech on Wednesday before traveling to Florida State on Saturday.

Freshman phenom Cameron Boozer has been dominant, averaging 23.2 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Duke will be tested defensively as ACC play intensifies.

Gonzaga extended its winning streak with a victory over Pepperdine on Sunday and sits at 13–1. The Bulldogs play three times this week, traveling to San Diego before hosting Seattle U and LMU.

Junior forward Braden Huff leads the way with 19.1 points per game. Gonzaga’s depth will be tested during the busy stretch.

Houston
John Jones-Imagn Images

Houston enters the week at 11–1 after a quiet stretch. The Cougars host Middle Tennessee State on Monday before heading to Cincinnati on Saturday.

Senior guard Emanuel Sharp continues to pace the offense with 17.9 points per game. Houston’s defensive pressure remains its calling card heading into conference play.

Michigan State enjoyed a week off and sits at 11–1 on the season. The Spartans host Cornell on Monday before traveling to Nebraska on Friday.

Senior forward Jaxon Kohler has been a force inside, averaging 13.9 points and 10.3 rebounds. Michigan State will look to sharpen its execution away from home.

BYU cruised past Eastern Washington 109–81 last Monday to improve to 12–1. The Cougars face a lone test this week with a road trip to Kansas State on Saturday.

Freshman star AJ Dybantsa has lived up to the hype, averaging 23.1 points per game. BYU’s offense remains one of the most explosive in the country.

11. Vanderbilt
12. North Carolina
13-T. Nebraska
13-T.
Louisville (+1)
15. Alabama
16. Texas Tech
17. Kansas
18. Arkansas
19. Illinois
20. Tennessee
21. Virginia
22. Florida
23. Iowa
24. Georgia
25. St. John’s

Dropped Out: No. 25 USC

Others Receiving Votes: Kentucky 35; USC 25; Utah State 14; Auburn 7; Saint Louis 6; Clemson 6; Seton Hall 5; Oklahoma State 5; Yale 4; UCLA 4; Saint Mary’s 4; LSU 3; California 2; Villanova 1; Miami (OH) 1; Indiana 1



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Petrino’s Friend Found a Workaround to Pay Taylen Green That’s Now Prohibited by NCAA

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Petrino’s Friend Found a Workaround to Pay Taylen Green That’s Now Prohibited by NCAA
photo credit: Craven Whitlow

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When Bobby Petrino returned to Arkansas after the 2023 season, his first task was finding a new quarterback.

In this era of college football, that also meant funding a new quarterback. For that, the former head coach leaned on his old friend Frank Fletcher.

The Little Rock-based businessman stepped up and footed a large chunk of the bill for Taylen Green, the talented signal caller Petrino identified to run his offense for the Razorbacks.

It hasn’t only been a transactional relationship, though. Over the last two years, Fletcher has been mindful of Green’s life after sports. Rather than simply handing the star quarterback a boatload of cash, he offered something few college athletes receive: personal relationship and mentorship.

“I had a wonderful two years with Taylen Green,” Fletcher said during Monday’s edition of Morning Mayhem on 103.7 The Buzz. “I was lucky that I happened to back a player that was that nice a kid and [had] great parents. I’ve learned a lot from him. I’m teaching him everything I know, and he wants to learn.”

Fletcher helped Green navigate the financial market by giving the QB1 homework, making him chart a series of stocks over a few months – something that could prove even more important after his subpar finish to the 2025 season likely impacted his pro prospects.