USA Archery has announced a modern three-year sponsorship agreement with Bluestone Equity Partners, a private investment firm, running through the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The partnership, revealed today, will see Bluestone branding featured on the sleeves of all official USA Archery team jerseys, encompassing both competition and training attire. This marks Bluestone’s first official foray into sports sponsorship.
The deal arrives on the heels of a successful showing for Team USA at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where Brady Ellison secured two medals for the United States. The partnership aims to bolster the national archery program as it looks toward continued success on the international stage. Bluestone Equity Partners closed its inaugural $300 million growth equity fund in early 2023, focusing on investments within the global sports, media, and entertainment sectors, according to a press release.
A key figure in the connection between the two organizations is Bobby Sharma, founder and managing partner of Bluestone. Sharma previously served as a director for USA Archery from 2021 to 2024, bringing a unique understanding of the organization’s needs and goals to the sponsorship agreement. His extensive background in sports business further solidifies the strategic alignment of this partnership.
Sharma’s Extensive Sports Business Background
Sharma’s career spans several prominent roles within the sports and entertainment industry. He spent nine years with the National Basketball Association (NBA), from 2002 to 2011, serving as the vice president and general counsel of the NBA Development League. Following his tenure with the NBA, Sharma transitioned to IMG, where he held the position of global head of basketball and strategic initiatives from 2011 to 2015. He then served as chair of Blue Devil Holdings until earlier this year. Team USA’s archery roster showcased strong performances in Paris, highlighting the potential for continued growth.
Beyond these roles, Sharma is a founding member of NextGen Venture Partners and Electronic Sports Group, demonstrating a broad interest in emerging sports and entertainment ventures. He also served as the chief executive of Soccerex, a soccer business events management firm, between 2019 and 2021. This diverse experience positions him to provide valuable insights and support to USA Archery as a sponsor.
USA Archery’s Recent Successes and Future Outlook
The partnership with Bluestone comes at a time of increasing momentum for USA Archery. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Brady Ellison earned a silver medal in the men’s individual recurve event and a bronze medal in the mixed team recurve event, alongside Casey Kaufhold. Official results from the Paris 2024 Olympics confirm the US team’s strong performance.
USA Archery is fielding a full women’s team roster and qualified one man for Paris 2024, competing in individual and team events. The women’s team currently ranks #5 in the world, and the mixed team is ranked #2 globally, according to the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee. This strong foundation positions the team for continued success as they prepare for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The sponsorship with Bluestone Equity Partners is expected to provide crucial financial support for USA Archery’s programs, enabling the organization to invest in athlete development, coaching, and training facilities. This investment will be vital as the team strives to maintain its competitive edge and achieve further success on the international stage.
Looking ahead, the partnership between USA Archery and Bluestone Equity Partners represents a significant step forward for the national governing body. With a dedicated sponsor and a talented roster of athletes, USA Archery is well-positioned to continue its growth and achieve its goals in the years to arrive. The focus now shifts to building on the momentum from Paris 2024 and preparing for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, culminating in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
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