{"id":16606,"date":"2025-08-31T23:02:13","date_gmt":"2025-09-01T05:02:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/footwearmagazine.com\/?p=16606"},"modified":"2025-09-03T19:20:50","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T01:20:50","slug":"christian-mccaffrey-while-on-earth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footwearmagazine.com\/?p=16606","title":{"rendered":"Christian McCaffrey Becomes Co-Founder of While on Earth"},"content":{"rendered":"

Christian McCaffrey<\/a>, the star running back for the San Francisco 49ers, has taken a major step off the gridiron and into entrepreneurship. He is now an equity stakeholder and official co-founder of\u00a0While on Earth<\/a>, a new performance apparel and footwear startup launched by athletes for athletes and conscious consumers.<\/p>\n

A New Era: From Nike to While on Earth<\/h3>\n

With the announcement, McCaffrey, who had partnered with Nike<\/a>\u00a0as an ambassador since his\u00a0rookie season in 2017, has ended his contract with the world\u2019s largest sportswear brand. The move marks a turning point, with the three-time Pro Bowler now trading endorsement deals for direct stake and active, creative involvement in a brand built from the ground up.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI fell in love with what Todd and the team are building,\u201d said<\/a> McCaffrey<\/strong>, via press release. \u201cI am at a point in my career where I wanted to build something from the ground up and to be part of something bigger than myself. This isn\u2019t just about putting my name on something. I wanted to share a vision with like-minded people that is represented through footwear and apparel. This is the perfect fit, not just because I resonate with the actual products, but because of the people and the name itself. I\u2019ve already been very hands-on with product direction specifically and I\u2019m very excited about the opportunity we have in front of us.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Inside While on Earth: Athlete-Led Innovation<\/h3>\n

While on Earth<\/a>\u00a0was co-founded by\u00a0Todd Meleney<\/a>, former CMO of\u00a0Nobull<\/a>, and\u00a0CrossFit<\/a>\u00a0superstars\u00a0Mat Fraser<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Brooke Wells<\/a>. Meleney, who now serves as CEO, previously guided Nobull\u2019s marketing efforts for a decade; he played a major role in the brand\u2019s rise before departing in 2023, shortly before\u00a0Mike Repole\u2019s private equity group\u00a0took a majority stake.<\/p>\n

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\u201cFor an athlete like Christian, in the prime of his playing career, to commit to an early-stage brand like while on earth is extremely unique,\u201d said<\/a> Meleney. \u201cAny brand would be fortunate to work with Christian and it\u2019s a testament to his belief in our vision. He will help introduce while on earth to an entirely new audience, and have a meaningful voice in shaping our future. We have already kicked off some exciting new products together and his feedback and contributions have been so valuable. This is a defining moment for our business and I can\u2019t wait for all that\u2019s ahead of us.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Product Launch: Shoes, Caps, and Sustainable Apparel<\/h3>\n

While on Earth debuted its first collection, including a training\/casual sneaker, caps, and technical apparel, in September 2024 at select retailers and on its website. The company is committed to performance and environmental responsibility, using\u00a0OEKO-TEX certified<\/a>\u00a0recycled materials in its training gear and casual wear.<\/p>\n

Early feedback has centered on shoes that \u201cfeel athlete-designed” and apparel that blends function with forward style, speaking to any active or adventure-minded buyer.<\/p>\n

McCaffrey\u2019s Track Record: More Than an Athlete<\/h3>\n

Christian McCaffrey<\/a>\u00a0has increasingly made entrepreneurial investments that combine innovation and wellness, including:<\/p>\n