Victoria Garrick Browne holding the Adidas x THO shoes and wearing the Adidas x THO hooded jersey.
On November 1, 2024, The Hidden Opponent (THO), a non-profit dedicated to supporting athletes’ mental health, announced their partnership with the global athletic brand Adidas to address a vital and often overlooked issue in sports. This collaboration not only includes financial and programmatic support for THO, but it also features an exclusive line of mental health-themed apparel, including shoes and a hooded jersey.
The Hidden Opponent was founded by former division 1 volleyball player, Victoria Garrick Brownewho has been a long-time champion of mental health awareness for athletes. The organization provides awareness, educational resources, community support, and advocacy for students in sports. The Adidas collaboration is the first of its kind, marking a significant milestone in THO’s mission to destigmatize mental health struggles among athletes. “For so long, mental health in sports has been stigmatized, and this partnership with Adidas is helping us break down that barrier,” says Browne. “It’s very special that we’re the first mental health non-profit they’ve done a product collaboration with. This collaboration is not only helping spread our mission but also shows athletes everywhere that they’re not alone, and this is something that’s massively important.”
Apparel with Purpose
THO and Adidas launched their collaborative apparel line on November 1st, rolling out shoes and a hooded jersey. Browne points out the significance of these items, saying, “I hope that when athletes wear any of our collaborative products, they feel a deep sense of pride and that they’ve joined our mission to prioritize athlete mental health and foster a healthier sports culture. I want these items to serve as a source of strength, a reminder that they’re not alone and that THO is there to support them.”
The Adidas-branded shoes and apparel are more than just a fashion statement, but rather a message of resilience, unifying athletes and others who may be struggling behind the scenes. “When people wear these products, it shows publicly that they’re aligned with this movement and that mental health is a priority for them,” says Browne.
Dr. Arman Taghizadeh, M.D., THO’s Medical Director and a board-certified psychiatrist, emphasizes the significance of the partnership. “Adidas has a big presence in the athletic space and promotes becoming elite, so when they partner with an organization like The Hidden Opponent, it sends a powerful message: if you want to optimize performance, you have to take care of your mental health,” he explains.
Expanding Programming and Education
In addition to the apparel collaboration, Adidas has provided programmatic funding to help THO expand its outreach and workshops. These educational events provide tools for athletes to cope with stress, manage emotions, and prioritize their mental well-being. Earlier this year, THO held a workshop during NBA All-Star weekend where they led sessions for young athletes focusing on mindset and mental health. With the support of Adidas, THO aims to continue scaling these programs in the coming year. “Through this collaboration with Adidas, we are looking to expand those educational opportunities to really impact as many student-athletes as possible,” says Browne.
As THO’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Suzanne Potts, LMSW, MPH, is focused on the organization’s growth strategy which involves recruiting a non-profit board to support its initiatives. “Athletic directors and coaches are increasingly seeking resources to support their athletes, but there’s still a gap between awareness and action,” shares Potts. “We hope to bridge that gap by bringing more education and connection to the athletic community.” Potts notes that “with athletes and partners literally wearing our mission on their clothing, it allows for a visible reminder to so many more that athletes are not alone in this journey, and that athlete mental health is important.”
The Adidas funding has positively impacted the future of THO’s workshops. In the past, they’ve held workshops covering topics from balancing life as a student-athlete to reducing stigma, managing performance anxiety, addressing eating disorders, and supporting minority mental health. According to Potts, “The Adidas funding has helped us expand our educational workshops—we will have 100% of our Campus Captains trained in active listening sessions.”
Looking Forward
Adidas’ support for THO is more than just a corporate partnership—it’s a cultural shift. “When a brand like Adidas speaks up, people start listening. They’re more willing to be educated and take action,” Potts adds. “Through more education, we hope there’s more action, and that’s what this collaboration is all about.”
For Browne, the visibility and legitimacy of Adidas’ involvement with THO is a long-awaited win for athletes everywhere. “This collaboration is really making sure that athletes out there feel supported,” says Browne. “Together, we’ll be able to advocate for more accessible mental health resources in athletics, which is so urgently needed.”
As the new year approaches, THO remains committed to expanding its programming and releasing a new product line with Adidas in the spring. Ultimately, the Adidas x THO partnership signals a new era where mental health support in sports is a foundational element of athletic excellence and not just an afterthought. As Dr. Taghizadeh puts it, “With this partnership, Adidas is showing that we need to invest in people. By doing that, their performance in sport will take care of itself.” Together, Adidas and THO are making a bold statement that mental health matters, on and off the field.
