The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) is partnering with Naomi Osaka’s media company Hana Kuma to improve branding and fan engagement in women’s golf, Sports Pro Media reports.
Hana Kuma will work with LPGA athletes to help them build their own unique brands. The goal is to turn women’s golfers into household names, like women’s tennis.
Naomi Osaka, who was the world’s highest paid female athlete for three years straight, has experience with brand building. She wants to use her platform and knowledge to help her fellow athletes.
“Throughout my career, I’ve received so much love and support from my fellow female athletes,” Osaka said in a statement, per Tennis.com. “With Hana Kuma, I want to pay it forward by helping empower and champion the LPGA players, providing the tools and resources necessary for them to invest in themselves and build a future beyond their sport. Together, we can continue to uplift and inspire the next generation of female athletes.”
LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan expressed excitement over the partnership.
“It’s crucial that fans get to know our athletes better for both their personal stories and their athletic achievements,” Samaan said per Sports Pro Media. “Fans follow people and build strong affinity with those whom they know and connect. Our athletes are inspiring, particularly for young girls, and we can’t wait to help give them the biggest platform possible.”
