Naomi Osaka Announces Athlete Management Company, Evolve

Naomi Osaka and Stuart Duguid, her longtime agent, have officially launched their athlete management company named Evolve.

According to reports, the company covers brand partnerships, investing, creating athlete-owned business and philanthropy, and marks the pair's newest venture following 2021's KINLÒ skincare line. “Evolve represents the evolution of not just my business career, but also the way athletes can control their destiny,” the tennis star said to Variety. “I’ve always thrived on pushing the boundaries and challenging the status quo. Stuart and I have been business partners for years now so it’s a very natural and inspiring move to make.”

“Athletes have completely changed the dynamics of what’s possible in the corporate world. They are no longer just ambassadors for hire, but true partners, vocal advocates and culture shifters,” Duguid added. “This agency is about supporting the next generation of athletes who want to continue building on the foundation laid by athletes like Naomi, but who are also doing things their own way.”

During their seven-year partnership, the pair has been able to ink big deals with the likes of Nike, Mastercard, Sweetgreen, Levi’s, FTX and Louis Vuitton.

Elsewhere in sports, Lionel Messi is Forbes' highest-paid athlete of 2022.