• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 5, 2025

A Deal with Cam Newton Sparks New-Found Interest In Sports For Vinta

  • Vinta is looking to expand its presence in sports marketing by speaking with more influencers in the industry following its recently announced partnership with Cam Newton.
  • Both the NFL Star and Vinta are currently working together on releasing more fashionable travel accessories to consumers in the near future.
Cam Newton Vinta
Photo Credit: Emily Soto

Vinta Supply Co. never imagined getting involved in sports before former NFL MVP Cam Newton reached out to partner with the company. Then again, the startup’s entry into the travel industry was not planned either.

Vinta launched in 2015 as a maker of fashionable camera bags before expanding its merchandise to travel accessories – following two Kickstarter campaigns that raised more than $250,000 for the brand.

The New York City-based online retailer now sells backpacks, field packs, and other products to a core group of customers that include photographers, videographers, and drone racers, according to Douglas Larsen, Vinta’s co-founder and lead designer.

“Our target audience is anyone who has breakable items that they like to travel with,” said Larsen. “We’ve come to find that regular travelers love our bags for this purpose – to protect their iPad’s, smartphones, and work gear.”

Vinta’s recently announced partnership with Newton is the retailer’s first foray into sports marketing. The opportunity made perfect sense for the brand, given the Carolina Panthers quarterback’s reputation as a member of a new era of lifestyle fashion, Larsen added.

For Newton, his deal with Vinta makes him a creative and equity partner in the company. The investment in Vinta also adds to the multiple off-the-field initiatives the athlete has launched in recent years, including a new  $7 million cigar bar opened in Atlanta earlier this year, Deadline reported. The NFL star additionally created his own production company, Iconic Saga Productions, in 2016. 

This is just the latest example of NFL players joining forces with niche startups. Other recent examples include Aaron Donald buying an ownership stake deal in sports beverage company Ready Nutrition, Larry Fitzgerald’s investment in Mercury – a self-described “bank for startups” – and Richard Sherman’s funding of trivia gaming app FleetWit.

READ MORE: Caron Butler Preaches Gospel Of Saving Money To Current Pro Athletes

In a statement regarding his deal with Vinta, Newton said, “I’m excited to be working with Vinta and putting my first bag out into the world. It’s called the Type-II C1N, and it’s designed for a person like me, with a constant schedule, who doesn’t stop and wants a fashionable, high-quality bag that’s functional for everyday life.”

Newton and his representatives could not be reached in time for the publication of this story.

Vinta’s new limited-edition backpacks created in partnership with Newton are now available on its website for $198, down from the original $254 price tag at launch. Both parties are committed to a long-term partnership with more products in the works, Vinta said.

“While I can’t disclose when these items will come out, I can say the focus is on fashionable high-quality design, while at the same time hitting a price point that is not out of this world,” said Larsen, adding Vinta plans to make future items in the Newton collection accessible to a maximum amount of people.

READ MORE: How LinkedIn Led Two Saints Greats To Main Squeeze Juice Company

Thanks to its relationship with Newton, Vinta says it is looking to expand its presence in sports marketing by speaking with more influencers in the industry. Vinta would not disclose what percentage of its advertising budget is dedicated to sports marketing or who those influencers might be.

For now, the online retailer continues to make its products available online and at wholesale partner stores B&H Photo Video and Leica Camera, while also promoting its products on Instagram and Facebook.

Asked if Vinta has spoken internally about investing in digital or television sports advertising, a company spokesperson said, “VINTA’s advertising efforts are currently focused more broadly on customers looking for stylish, high-quality travel products.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”

Commanders’ $3.8B Stadium Deal in Jeopardy? Mayor Sounds the Alarm

Political tensions rise about delays in stadium funding approval.

Featured Today

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Seattle Rough & Tumble
June 28, 2025

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.
June 27, 2025

Shitposters Have Taken the Reins of Pro Sports’ Official Voices

Meet the social media pros turning sports teams into internet trolls.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
June 26, 2025

Stanley Cup’s International Summer Tour: Rules, Repairs, and Raucousness

No pro trophy tour compares to the NHL’s three-month global victory lap.

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Athlos
May 4, 2025

Nike Wants to Pull Off the First Women’s Sub-4:00 Mile

Experts speak on whether Nike’s “moonshot” is realistic or a gimmick.
Jul 19, 2024; Phoenix, Ariz., United States; Sheryl Swoopes hosts a WBNA All-Star brunch in honor of her former teammate, Nikki McCray Penson, at Thea in Phoenix on July 19, 2024
May 12, 2025

Sheryl Swoopes: A’ja Wilson Shoe Campaign Shows Nike Sea Change

Nike released the Air Swoopes in 1995.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
Apr 12, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; MLB umpire Ron Kulpa (46) calls a third strike during a game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field
May 4, 2025

Pro Refs Get Offered Free Lasik for Better Calls. Some Took It

Some pro officials have sprung for the offer for free corrective surgery.
January 15, 2025

State Farm Cancels Planned Super Bowl Ad Amid California Fires Controversy

State Farm’s Super Bowl ad last year featured Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito.
Nov 25, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; From left: Scott Van Pelt, Ryan Clark, Jason Kelce and Marcus Spears on the ESPN Monday Night Football Countdown set before the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
December 17, 2024

A ‘Wave’ of Sports Content Is Coming to TikTok

The next generation is consuming sports in a different way.
Apr 7, 2022; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Rory McIlroy (left) and Brooks Koepka set up to putt on no. 9 during the first round of The Masters golf tournament.
November 27, 2024

PGA Tour vs. LIV Golf TV ‘Showdown’ Will Pay Out $10M Crypto..

Two golfers from each tour will face off in Las Vegas.