Gatorade and The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation Sports Matter Program Team Up with WNBA Legend Candace Parker to Fuel the Next Generation of All-Stars

Gatorade is fueling the Sports Matter Program with a $100,000 donation to continue advancing youth sports equity and the pair will send a Las Vegas girls' basketball team to the 2023 WNBA Finals

PURCHASE, N.Y., Sept. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of the WNBA playoffs and tipoff for the 2023-24 youth basketball season in schools nationwide, Gatorade is happy to announce a $100,000 donation made to The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation Sports Matter Program. The donation will be used to cover registration fees for young athletes in under-resourced communities to have access to and play winter sports this season.

Physical exercise, a sense of belonging, and empowerment are all proven benefits of playing organized youth sports. However, not all students are afforded the same opportunities to participate, as youth sports are often pay-for-play, leaving under-resourced families at a disadvantage. Through the Gatorade Equity in Sports initiative, Gatorade is creating more opportunities for underserved communities to participate in sports by continuing its partnership with 3x WNBA MVP and 2x Gold Medal Olympian Candace Parker of the Las Vegas Aces. In Candace's honor, Gatorade in partnership with the Sports Matter Program will be sending the girls' basketball team from Arbor View High School in Las Vegas to the 2023 WNBA Finals.

"Leveling the playing field and creating new paths for participation in sports is crucial," said Candace Parker. "Helping young athletes from diverse and underserved backgrounds not only participate but thrive in sport is something Gatorade and I both value, which is why I am thrilled that this Gatorade donation to The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation will continue breaking down barriers and empower players nationwide to achieve their goals this season."

"This donation will mean that we can help young athletes from communities across the country join a team for the first time or support their upcoming season," said Kristen Garmey, Director of Sports Matter at The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation. "This will be game changing for young students who have not been able to play sports due to high registration fees."

"At Gatorade, we know the life-long positive impact that sports have on young people, but the playing field is not equal, and not everyone has access to play," said Jennifer Schmit, Senior Director of Community Marketing & Impact. "We're grateful for this partnership with The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation and the opportunity to help students across the country join a team and ignite their love of the game."

In 2022, Gatorade launched its Fuel Tomorrow platform to provide education about the power of sports and help remove barriers by providing access to safe and welcoming community programs, sports facilities, equipment, transportation, and training coaches on how to be champions for equity and inclusion.

About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $86 billion in net revenue in 2022, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

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About The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation
The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation with a mission to inspire and enable sports participation. It was created by DICK'S Sporting Goods as a private corporate foundation to support DICK'S charitable and philanthropic activities. Driven by its belief that sports have the power to change lives, The DICK'S Foundation champions youth sports and provides grants and support to under-resourced teams and athletes through its Sports Matter program and other community-based initiatives. Additional information about The DICK'S Foundation can be found on sportsmatter.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Media Contact
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SOURCE PepsiCo