USA Archery, the national governing body for the sport, has announced a multi-year partnership with Bluestone Equity Partners, a private investment firm focused on the global sports and entertainment industry. The three-year deal will see Bluestone branding featured prominently on the sleeves of all official team jerseys—covering both competition and training—as the team builds momentum toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
A Strategic Connection
The partnership is rooted in a deep familiarity between the two organizations. Bobby Sharma, the founder and managing partner of Bluestone, has a significant history with the governing body, having served as a director on the USA Archery board from 2021 to 2024.
Sharma brings a wealth of sports business experience to the table, including:
- NBA: Nine years as VP and General Counsel of the NBA Development League.
- IMG: Former global head of basketball and strategic initiatives.
- Soccerex: Former CEO of the soccer business events management firm.
Capitalizing on Olympic Success
The deal comes at a time of heightened visibility for American archery. At the Paris 2024 Games, the U.S. captured two medals, both earned by legendary archer Brady Ellison. By securing a sleeve sponsorship now, Bluestone is positioning itself alongside a high-performance program during a home-Olympic cycle.
Growth Equity in Sports
Bluestone closed its inaugural $300 million growth equity fund in early 2023. While the firm has traditionally focused on behind-the-scenes equity investments in sports and media, this sponsorship represents a shift toward public-facing brand alignment.
“This partnership provides Bluestone with high-visibility branding during a critical period of growth for Olympic sports in the United States,” noted industry analysts.