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Phoenix Mercury

Phoenix Mercury and Cleveland Avenue Announce Revolutionary Rotating Badge Partnership

April 17, 2024 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Phoenix Mercury News Release


PHOENIX - The Phoenix Mercury and Cleveland Avenue, a global venture capital firm specializing in investments in lifestyle consumer brands and technology companies, today announced a revolutionary partnership introducing the first-ever rotating jersey badge. The innovative partnership will tip off with Partake Foods selected as the jersey badge partner for the 2024 Mercury season.

The multi-year partnership will highlight Cleveland Avenue's diverse portfolio of founders and businesses by featuring a different brand on the jersey each season, underscoring Cleveland Avenue's commitment to investing in brands that strengthen communities and build momentum for positive change. This is an extension of the global partnership announced last week between the Phoenix Mercury, Phoenix Suns and Cleveland Avenue.

"The magnitude of this historic partnership with Cleveland Avenue is built on our shared commitment to invest in and support women - from athletes to entrepreneurs," said Phoenix Mercury and Phoenix Suns Chief Executive Officer Josh Bartelstein. "Featuring Partake Foods on Mercury jerseys this season offers the opportunity to showcase a woman-founded company making a positive impact in its industry, furthering our goal to empower women on and off the court."

As the official jersey badge for the 2024 season, Partake Foods' logo will be featured on the left shoulder of Mercury's game jerseys. Partake Foods, a leading CPG brand that offers better-for-you, allergy-friendly snacks, including cookies, graham crackers and vanilla wafers, was founded in 2016 by Denise Woodard after her daughter was diagnosed with multiple food allergies. Partake's products are gluten-free, vegan, non-GMO, and free from the top nine allergens - safe and shareable for the more than 32 million Americans impacted by food allergies. Partake Foods can be found at local and national retailers across the country by visiting their Find Us locator.

"Being chosen as the inaugural brand of this incredible partnership is both an honor and aligned to Partake's mission of radical inclusivity," said Partake Foods Founder and Chief Executive Officer Denise Woodard. "We are proud to join Cleveland Avenue and the Phoenix Mercury in championing all that women are capable of achieving."

"Building on the Phoenix Mercury, Phoenix Suns and Cleveland Avenue announcement last week, the selection of Partake Foods is a great example of how Cleveland Avenue accelerates growth for entrepreneurs and their businesses," said Don Thompson, Founder & CEO, Cleveland Avenue, LLC. "Our organizations share a vision where diversity is valued, and collaboration is needed to bring communities together for mutual success in a world where large and small companies thrive alongside one another."

Cleveland Avenue's mission is to foster growth for a new generation of lifestyle consumer brands and technology companies that positively disrupt large and growing markets. By providing financial resources, expertise, and holistic business support to help unlock the value of their investments, Cleveland Avenue is committed to their portfolio of businesses for the long-term benefit of investors, entrepreneurs and communities.

One of the original franchises in the WNBA, the Mercury has long empowered the growth of the league and women's sports. Furthered by owner Mat Ishbia's commitment to and investment in the Mercury and Phoenix community, the organization continues to raise the bar for women's sports, launching the first-ever all-girls YMCA youth basketball league, building a dedicated state-of-the-art practice facility set to open summer 2024 and bringing WNBA All-Star 2024 to Phoenix in July.

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