Bandit, the innovative athletic apparel company founded in 2021, is bringing back its signature initiative, ‘The Unsponsored Project,’ for its third year. This program is dedicated to supporting top-tier runners who are competing without the backing of traditional sponsorships, offering them crucial financial and promotional assistance. The project will prominently feature at the upcoming USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon, a key event for athletes vying for a spot on the global stage.
Empowering Independent Athletes
The Unsponsored Project aims to level the playing field for athletes who often operate outside the mainstream sponsorship ecosystem. This year, Bandit will provide over 40 selected athletes with a comprehensive package designed to ease financial burdens and enhance their visibility. Each participant will receive $1,500 in cash, along with unbranded race kits that allow for personal branding and flexibility. Additionally, recipients will benefit from a $1,000 Bandit gift card to utilize for their gear needs, and significant content amplification across Bandit’s own channels, shining a spotlight on their journeys and performances.
A core tenet of The Unsponsored Project is athlete flexibility. The program is structured to allow participants to exit the initiative if they secure a traditional sponsorship offer, ensuring that the project prioritizes the athletes’ long-term career development and financial opportunities. This approach underscores Bandit’s commitment to fostering a more equitable environment within the sport.
A Visual Statement and Competitive Focus
The project’s visual identity is striking, featuring a distinctive black tape design. This design serves as a powerful reference to historical athlete protests against restrictive sponsorship models, symbolizing a continued push for athlete autonomy and fair compensation. The 2025 cohort of The Unsponsored Project athletes is set to compete at the U.S. Championships, scheduled to take place in Eugene, Oregon, from July 31 to August 3. Success at this event offers a pathway to qualification for the prestigious World Championships in Tokyo.
Amplifying Stories and Fostering Community
Beyond the direct support for athletes, Bandit is committed to telling their stories. The company will publish ‘The Bandit Times,’ a dedicated print publication that will offer in-depth coverage of the U.S. Championships. Complementing this, a daily newsletter will provide timely updates and insights throughout the event. To further capture the human element of the competition, Bandit has invited five emerging creatives to Eugene. These creatives will collaborate with mentors, focusing on honing their skills to document and share the compelling stories of the athletes.
Community engagement is also a key component of Bandit’s presence in Eugene. The initiative has planned a series of community events, including casual BBQs and meetups, designed to foster connection and camaraderie among athletes, creatives, and the broader running community.
A Legacy of Support
Since its inception, The Unsponsored Project has demonstrated significant growth and impact. In 2023, the project supported 10 athletes, a number that grew to 36 in 2024. This expansion reflects the program’s success and increasing demand for such support. Notably, some past recipients have gone on to secure significant brand deals, with Olympian Trevor Bassitt being a prime example of an athlete whose career trajectory was positively influenced by his participation.
As The Unsponsored Project returns, it reaffirms Bandit’s dedication to championing independent athletes, providing them with the resources and platform needed to thrive on and off the track, particularly during critical competitive periods like the U.S. Championships.
