--- title: Sports Influencer Marketing Stats Brands Must Know (2026) description: Sports influencer marketing works - here are the key stats, metrics and KPIs every brand should know before investing in athlete campaigns. image: https://opensponsorship.com/hubfs/NNR553YDTBJ57P4CUUU4YOLPGE.jpg --- [![OpenSponsorship_logo-3](https://opensponsorship.com/hs-fs/hubfs/OpenSponsorship_logo-3.png?width=200&height=34&name=OpenSponsorship_logo-3.png "OpenSponsorship_logo-3")](https://opensponsorship.com/) [Case Studies](https://learnmore.opensponsorship.com/case-studies) [Create Free Account](https://opensponsorship.com/registration?type=brand&utm_source=Blog+header&utm_medium=Blog+header&utm_campaign=Blog+header&utm_id=Blog+header&utm_term=Blog+header&utm_content=Blog+header) # Important Sport Influencer Marketing Statistics - [Home](https://opensponsorship.com/) - Blog Details ![](https://opensponsorship.com/hubfs/NNR553YDTBJ57P4CUUU4YOLPGE.jpg) [Jayson](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/author/jayson-walla) June 06 2023 ### 5 Stats That Brands Need to Know About Athletes and Influencer Marketing in 2023 [![Opensponsorship blog CTA_1](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4891106/524b7917-4596-45b8-813e-eaad52eabe26.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4891106/524b7917-4596-45b8-813e-eaad52eabe26) In today's digital age, influencer marketing has become an integral part of brand strategies. Brands are increasingly recognizing the power of partnering with athletes to reach their target audience and drive engagement. To shed light on the effectiveness of athlete influencer marketing, we've compiled key statistics that every brand should know in 2023. Let's dive into the numbers and explore the impact of working with athletes on marketing campaigns. ## Athlete Influencer Statistics Through Sponsorship Campaigns (Especially Social Media Stats) ### 1. Increased Engagement and Reach with Athlete Influencers - Athletes on social media platforms have an average engagement rate of 5.6%, which is significantly higher than the average influencer engagement rate of 2.4%. - Athlete partnerships can help brands access their dedicated fan base, with 80% of fans stating that they are more likely to trust recommendations from their favorite athletes. ![5 Stats That Brands Need to Know About Athletes and Influencer Marketing in 2023](https://opensponsorship.com/hs-fs/hubfs/NNR553YDTBJ57P4CUUU4YOLPGE.jpg?width=533&height=367&name=NNR553YDTBJ57P4CUUU4YOLPGE.jpg) ### 2. Authenticity and Trust When Running Ads with Athletes - 3 in 4 consumers believe that athletes are more authentic than traditional celebrities, making them relatable and trustworthy influencers for brand collaborations. - Athletes' authentic content and personal experiences resonate with their audience, with 87% of consumers stating that they are more likely to purchase a product endorsed by an athlete they follow. ![5 Stats That Brands Need to Know About Athletes and Influencer Marketing in 2023](https://opensponsorship.com/hs-fs/hubfs/maxresdefault-May-25-2023-03-52-33-2370-AM.jpeg?width=598&height=336&name=maxresdefault-May-25-2023-03-52-33-2370-AM.jpeg) ### 3. Increased ROI the Most Important Influencer Marketing Stat - Brands that invest $1 in influencer marketing earn an average of $5.78 in media value, showcasing the high return on investment (ROI) potential of athlete partnerships. - Athlete influencer marketing campaigns can generate up to 7x return on ad spend (ROAS) when using athlete's content in ads. ![5 Stats That Brands Need to Know About Athletes and Influencer Marketing in 2023](https://opensponsorship.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quorn%20case%20study%20monte%20morrie.jpeg?width=430&height=430&name=Quorn%20case%20study%20monte%20morrie.jpeg) ### 4. Reaching Gen Z and Millennials with Influencer Marketing - Athletes have a strong influence on Gen Z and millennial consumers, with 41% of Gen Z and 36% of millennials following athletes on social media. - Working with athletes allows brands to tap into the purchasing power of these demographics, as 49% of Gen Z and 41% of millennials make purchasing decisions based on influencer endorsements. ![5 Stats That Brands Need to Know About Athletes and Influencer Marketing in 2023](https://opensponsorship.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-29%20at%2010.29.40%20AM.png?width=404&height=511&name=Screen%20Shot%202023-05-29%20at%2010.29.40%20AM.png) ### 5. Multi-Channel Impact with Athlete Marketing - Athlete partnerships extend beyond social media, with 58% of consumers also visiting a brand's website after seeing an athlete endorsement, showcasing the multi-channel impact of athlete influencer marketing. - Athletes can drive traffic and conversions through various channels, providing brands with a holistic approach to reaching their audience. ![5 Stats That Brands Need to Know About Athletes and Influencer Marketing in 2023](https://opensponsorship.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202023-02-12%20at%208.36.29%20PM.png?width=449&height=672&name=Screen%20Shot%202023-02-12%20at%208.36.29%20PM.png) ## Final Thoughts On Athlete Influencer Marketing Stats The statistics highlight the undeniable impact and effectiveness of working with athletes on influencer marketing campaigns. Athletes not only offer increased engagement, authenticity, and trust but also provide a substantial ROI and access to the coveted Gen Z and millennial demographics. Brands that leverage the power of athlete influencer marketing can tap into their dedicated fan base, extend their reach, and drive conversions across multiple channels. Ready to leverage the power of athlete influencer marketing for your brand? Book a free consultation call with our brand specialists through the banner above to explore the potential of athlete partnerships and elevate your marketing efforts. [Sign up for free on OpenSponsorship](https://opensponsorship.com/registration) to connect with athletes and unlock the benefits of influencer marketing. - [sports marketing](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/topic/sports-marketing) - [brand ambassador](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/topic/brand-ambassador) - [Brand Endorsements](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/topic/brand-endorsements) - [athlete marketing](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/topic/athlete-marketing) ![](https://opensponsorship.com/hubfs/Jayson%20Walla.png) #### [Jayson](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/author/jayson-walla) Jayson is a content marketer at OpenSponsorship. He often shares insights about how brands can effectively work with athletes on marketing campaigns. #### Popular Post #### [Nano vs Micro vs Mega Influencers: What 1,527 Creator Campaigns Reveal About Cost and ROI](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/nano-micro-mega-influencer-pricing-data) July 15, 2026 #### [Ingredient Branding Done Right: How Immunotec Made Glutathione Mainstream](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/ingredient-branding-glutathione) July 13, 2026 #### [America's 250th Birthday: The Brand Activation Playbook for 2026](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/america-250-brand-activation-playbook) July 01, 2026 #### [OpenSponsorship Releases World Cup Brand Activation Data as FIFA 2026 Kicks Off](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/opensponsorship-world-cup-2026-brand-activation-data) June 10, 2026 #### [High School NIL: A Brand's Guide to Sponsoring High School Athletes](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/high-school-nil-guide) May 19, 2026 #### Tag Cloud [marketing](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/tag/marketing) [sponsorship](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/tag/sponsorship) [athletes](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/tag/athletes) [Uncategorized](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/tag/uncategorized) [sports](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/tag/sports) [Brand Endorsements](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/tag/brand-endorsements) [sports marketing](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/tag/sports-marketing) [Parterships](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/tag/parterships) [Endorsement](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/tag/endorsement) [athlete marketing](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/tag/athlete-marketing) [brand ambassador](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/tag/brand-ambassador) [influencer marketing](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/tag/influencer-marketing) [sports brands](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/tag/sports-brands) [endorsements](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/tag/endorsements) [NIL](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/tag/nil) [olympics](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/tag/olympics) [Fitness](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/tag/fitness) [sports innovation](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/tag/sports-innovation) [artificial intelligence](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/tag/artificial-intelligence) [social media](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/tag/social-media) [NFL](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/tag/nfl) [nba](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/tag/nba) [KPIs](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/tag/kpis) [mlb](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/tag/mlb) [nhl](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/tag/nhl) [twitch](https://opensponsorship.com/blog/tag/twitch) ### OpenSponsorship Blog ## FAQs What is OpenSponsorship? OpenSponsorship is an online marketplace and platform that connects athletes, teams, and influencers with brands and businesses for sponsorship opportunities. It was founded in 2014 and has since become one of the leading platforms in the sports sponsorship industry. How do I signup as a brand? Brands can signup for free here: https://opensponsorship.com/registration?type=brand How do I signup as an athlete? Athlete can signup for free here: https://opensponsorship.com/registration?type=athlete ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Jayson", "url" : "https://opensponsorship.com/blog/author/jayson-walla" }, "dateModified" : "2024-01-22T14:18:06.188Z", "datePublished" : "2023-06-06T11:15:06.000Z", "headline" : "Sports Influencer Marketing Stats Brands Must Know (2026)", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://opensponsorship.com/blog/5-stats-that-brands-need-to-know-about-athletes-and-influencer-marketing-in-2023", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://opensponsorship.com/hubfs/OpenSponsorship_logo_compact-3.png" }, "name" : "Opensponsorship" } } ```