Manager, Sports Marketing job at Adidas Group in Los Angeles, CA

Title: Manager, Sports Marketing (Basketball NIL) Location: Los Angeles, CA, US Workplace: Full time Department: Brand Management & Communications Job Description: POSITION OVERVIEW At adidas, we never launch a product unless we consider it perfect. Our sports marketing and brand teams bring the energy of the game to life by connecting athletes, communities, and culture with purpose and authenticity. As Manager, NIL Athlete Partnerships Basketball, you will play a critical role in identifying and developing the next generation of basketball athletes while building meaningful partnerships that elevate the adidas brand. This role drives business impact by executing the NIL basketball strategy across high school, grassroots, and collegiate platforms. You will manage athlete relationships, support brand integration, and ensure alignment across the basketball ecosystem to build a strong and sustainable talent pipeline. You will collaborate closely with senior leadership, cross functional teams, and external partners to deliver best in class athlete experiences. Your work will influence product storytelling, brand campaigns, and long term athlete development while strengthening adidas’ presence in basketball culture. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Athlete Strategy Execution Support and execute the NIL basketball strategy in alignment with category and global brand priorities. Talent Identification Scout, evaluate, and identify prospective athletes and partners across high school, grassroots, and collegiate basketball. Athlete Evaluation Lead or support vetting of NIL prospects based on performance, brand alignment, social presence, and long term potential. Relationship Management Build and maintain strong relationships with athletes, agents, and management teams to deliver a premium partnership experience. Stakeholder Alignment Serve as the voice of the athlete internally, providing insights to footwear, apparel, and brand teams to inform product and marketing decisions. Market Intelligence Provide ongoing reporting and insights on NIL trends, athlete performance, competitive landscape, and emerging opportunities. Program Execution Support grassroots basketball programming and ensure alignment with broader athlete and category strategies. Product Management Manage product allocation, forecasting, and distribution aligned to athlete needs and key brand moments. Operational Excellence Oversee promo product management, order tracking, budgeting, invoicing, and administrative processes. Compliance Management Partner with legal teams to ensure adherence to NCAA, conference, school, and state NIL regulations. Event Activation Lead or support athlete appearances, meetings, retail activations, and brand events. Travel Coordination Manage athlete travel logistics and expense processes. Project Support Contribute to additional category initiatives and business needs as required. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS • Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience. • Minimum of 2 to 5 years of experience in sports marketing, athlete management, brand marketing, collegiate athletics, NIL operations, or related fields. • Strong knowledge of the basketball industry including high school, grassroots, and collegiate ecosystems. • Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills. • Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast paced environment. • Strong presentation skills with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels. • Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook. PREFERRED EXPERIENCE • Direct experience working in basketball, athlete representation, or grassroots sports environments. • Experience managing athlete partnerships or NIL programs. • Familiarity with compliance frameworks related to NCAA and NIL regulations. • Experience working with cross functional brand and product teams. WORK ENVIRONMENT This role is based in Los Angeles, CA and follows a hybrid work model requiring in office presence Monday through Thursday with flexibility to work remotely on Fridays. Occasional in office attendance on Fridays may be required based on business needs. The position requires significant travel up to 40 percent, including evenings and weekends during peak basketball seasons. The work environment is fast paced, collaborative, and deeply connected to the basketball community and culture. REPORTING STRUCTURE This role reports to the Senior Manager within the Basketball Sports Marketing organization. The position works closely with cross functional teams including brand marketing, product, legal, and operations, as well as external stakeholders such as athletes, agents, and partners. The role contributes to the broader basketball category strategy and athlete pipeline development. COMPENSATION & BENEFITS Salary Range: $80,000 - $105,000 annually. Actual