Redefining Athlete Influence: The Launch of Snap the Gap
Snapchat, in collaboration with women-focused media platform TOGETHXR, has unveiled Snap the Gap—a groundbreaking initiative designed to nurture female athletes into successful content creators. By combining mentorship, storytelling support, and monetization training, the program bridges the digital opportunity gap faced by women in sports.
How Snap the Gap Supports Female Creators
Through this program, Snapchat and TOGETHXR are providing nine standout female athletes from NCAA, WNBA, NWSL, PWHL, and LOVB with the tools to master digital storytelling. Participants will receive:
- Personal mentorship from Snapchat’s sports media experts
- Content coaching from TOGETHXR’s creative team
- Full access to Snapchat’s monetization features like Spotlight and Snapchat Stories
- A platform to reach new audiences and grow fan engagement authentically
This isn’t just about content—it’s about building sustainable creator careers in a space where female athletes often go overlooked.
Meet the First Cohort of Snap the Gap Stars
The initiative’s inaugural class features nine inspiring women making waves in their sports:
- Michelle Alozie (NWSL – Houston Dash)
- KK Arnold (NCAA – UConn Basketball)
- Croix Bethune (NWSL – Washington Spirit)
- Sarah Fillier (PWHL – New York Sirens)
- Rickea Jackson (WNBA – LA Sparks)
- Kyrstin Johnson (NCAA – Temple Gymnastics)
- Mia Rogan (NCAA – Michigan State)
- Haleigh Washington (LOVB – Salt Lake)
- Erica Wheeler (WNBA – Seattle Storm)
Each athlete will use their Snapchat platform to tell real, unscripted stories, from training routines to behind-the-scenes moments.
Why Snap the Gap Is a Cultural Shift
Snap the Gap isn’t just a campaign—it’s a statement. Snapchat recognizes that the future of sports content isn’t reserved for traditional media or male athletes. It lives in the hands of creators who reflect the culture and passion of sport in real time.
Research shows nearly 90% of Snapchat users consume sports content weekly, with over 25 million minutes of sports clips viewed daily on Spotlight. The demand is clear—Snapchat users crave personal, athlete-driven storytelling.
The Broader Mission: Changing the Visibility Game
TOGETHXR, co-founded by Olympic and pro-sports icons, has always been dedicated to closing the visibility gap for women in sports. With Snap the Gap, they are helping creators move beyond endorsements and highlight reels—giving them agency to shape their own digital presence.
This move also follows broader creator economy trends, where platforms are investing in authentic influencer voices. By supporting women athletes with the right tools and audience, Snapchat and TOGETHXR are building sustainable influence models.
Leadership on the Snap the Gap Vision
Emma Wakely, Snapchat’s Manager of Sports Media Partnerships, explained:
“We’re proud to partner with TOGETHXR to create a space where athletes can thrive as creators, on their own terms.”
Paula Hughes, Chief Digital Officer at TOGETHXR, added:
“Snap the Gap helps eliminate barriers that keep women athletes from sharing their voices and capitalizing on their brands.”
These leaders see Snap the Gap as a blueprint for scalable, inclusive creator programs across all sports.
Why Brands and Leagues Should Pay Attention
Snap the Gap represents more than just athlete storytelling. It demonstrates:
- How mentorship and monetization training drive performance
- That fan-first creator strategy delivers better ROI than traditional ad formats
- Why female creators deserve equal investment and infrastructure
- The opportunity for leagues to scale creator programs across genders and disciplines
As the creator economy matures, platform-backed empowerment programs like Snap the Gap will define the next wave of sport influencer marketing.
Final Thoughts: Building Equity Through Stories
Snapchat and TOGETHXR aren’t just elevating athletes—they’re reshaping how sports stories are told. Snap the Gap is a timely step toward equity, where women in sports can own their voice, build community, and monetize their digital identity.
As audiences shift from passive viewers to engaged communities, Snapchat is ensuring women athletes aren’t left behind—they’re leading the next generation of sports creators.
