The pioneers of U.S. women’s
soccer are now pioneers in
athlete-owned business.
In 1985, seventeen women boarded a plane to Italy to play in the first-ever U.S. Women’s National Team match. With no media coverage, no funding, and no guarantees, they ignited a movement that would become the most dominant force in women’s soccer.
Nearly 40 years later, The 85ers are reclaiming their legacy—not just to be honored, but to build their own business. With Storied Sports, they created the first athlete-owned LLC by a national team, trademarked their brand, and launched a platform turning history into equity, storytelling, and lasting opportunity.
Ownership First:
Wholly ownes LLC &
Brand Trademark
We created The 85ers as a wholly owned athlete-led LLC, trademarked the brand, and built its identity through our Creative Services Studio. Inspired by the graphic language of 1985, the design pays homage to the era’s limited printing techniques—turning those constraints into a bold, distinctive visual style that reflects the team’s legacy and spirit..
Origin Story podcast (adidas presenting sponsor) tells the definitive history of the 1985 team.
Storytelling:
We partnered adidas with The85ers to help tell their story. Our franchise Origin Story: Season 1, presented by adidas, chronicles the journey of the first U.S. Women’s National Team and the birth of women’s soccer in America. adidas, the team’s first jersey partner in 1985, continues that “legacy of firsts” by lanching the Spark Fusion cleat with Trinity Rodman, the first-ever women’s cleat by adidas.
The Campaign celebrates the trailblazers of 1985 and connects their legacy to today’s game, positioning adidas as both a heritage brand and a forward-looking leader in women’s sports.
The 85ers partnered with the Seattle Reign for The Queen’s Match, a historic celebration honoring the trailblazing 1985 USWNT.
With deep seatle roots, eight of the 17 original players hail from Washington, the event served as a powerful homecoming that united generations of women’s soccer.
The Queen’s Match not only celebrated the pioneers who built the game but also ignited new enegery for its future. Together with the Reign, we also designed an exclusive 85ers merchandise collection, now available in their stadium store and online.
Storied Sports hosted a sold-out fireside chat at Seatthle’s Rough and Tumble bar, where fans heard stories firsthand, shopped exclusive merchandise, and connected with players through autographs - an unforgettable night of community and celebration.
Storied Sports created a first-of-its-kind drop between The Realest and The85ers, introducing The8ers; the first athlete-owned business by the original USWNT players.
Headlined by a player-designed replica jersey with supporting tee, hat and trading card, the collab turned overlooked history into a cultural moment. Coverage spanned NYT, Forbes, The Athletic, and The Gist, igniting new enegery for women’s sports and uniting generation across sports, media, and culture.
