Unwrapped: Style, Strategy & Spotlight
How Coco Gauff and NFL Draft stars are proving brand building is more than just the game.
From the field and court to the draft stage, athletes are rewriting the rules of influence in real time. Whether it’s Coco Gauff stepping into luxury fashion with her new Miu Miu x New Balance collaboration or NFL Draft prospects like Ashton Jeanty and Shedeur Sanders turning endorsement moments into main character energy, this week proved that personal branding is no longer optional; it’s essential.
In this edition of Unwrapped, we dive into how today’s stars are blending style, substance, and storytelling—and what rising athletes can learn from it all.
Serving Style & Substance — Coco Gauff's Next Move
The worlds of sport and high fashion are continuing to collide—and no one’s navigating that intersection more gracefully right now than Coco Gauff.
Fresh off her U.S. Open win and continuing to dominate on the court, Coco is now making waves in luxury fashion with a new Miu Miu x New Balance capsule collection. This collaboration blends Miu Miu’s sleek, fashion-forward aesthetic with the credibility and comfort of New Balance’s performance heritage—a natural extension of Coco’s long-standing partnership with the athletic brand.
This moment isn’t just about clothes. It’s about strategic brand positioning.
Coco’s partnership gives her the opportunity to:
Expand her presence in high fashion
Maintain alignment with a performance-based brand
Introduce Miu Miu to a younger, sport-savvy demographic that’s watching her every move
This is branding brilliance in real time—and a case study for young athletes building a name.
💡 Takeaways for Rising Athletes:
Stay Authentic: Coco’s collection doesn’t feel forced. It builds on what she already wears and stands for. Your brand should be a reflection of you.
Think Long-Term: She’s not just promoting a product—she’s building her presence in multiple industries, setting herself up for longevity beyond tennis.
Be Strategic with Partnerships: Choose collaborations that align with your values and expand your reach.
Fashion is a Platform: Use style as a tool for storytelling and influence. Your look can speak before you ever say a word.
From the court to the runway, Coco Gauff is proving that you can dominate in your lane and still change the game entirely.
🏈 Lights, Camera, Draft Day: Athletes Are Building Their Brands in Real Time
Night One of the NFL Draft wasn’t just about stats and scouting reports—it was a full-on showcase of storytelling, swagger, and strategy.
Take Ashton Jeanty, for example. The Boise State running back turned heads with a pair of Swarovski crystal-encrusted Crocs, and a national commercial for Opendoor—all before his name was even called. When the Las Vegas Raiders selected him in the first round, it was the culmination of not just football talent but a smart branding play that made him memorable before he stepped onto an NFL field.
Then there’s Shedeur Sanders. Though he wasn’t selected in Round 1, he was still a major presence on draft night thanks to a powerful new ad from Gatorade. The campaign, “Make the World Notice,” highlights his confidence, legacy, and intent to dominate at the next level—wherever that may be. It’s a reminder that even before a team claims you, your brand can already work for you.
These moves reflect a broader shift in how athletes are leveraging key moments to tell their stories and build influence, well before the cameras cut to their draft stage walk.
💡 What This Means for Young Athletes:
You are your first endorsement: Jeanty and Shedeur both built attention around their personal brands. Their teams are new, but their identities were already established.
Style tells a story: Jeanty's Crocs were more than fashion—they were a signature. Don’t underestimate the power of visual storytelling.
Narrative = influence: Gatorade didn’t just sign Shedeur for his arm—they signed his aura. What story are you telling off the field?
Draft day is a debut, not a destination: Whether you’re selected early or still waiting, how you show up in the moment can open doors far beyond the field.
Athletes today are proving that the brand begins before the first snap, and the smartest ones are already playing the long game.