Changing the Game: H&R Block Unites with Fabletics and Jambys, Plus 50 Female College Athletes for Second Year of its “A Fair Shot” Program 

KANSAS CITY, Mo., March 08, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) today proudly announces the return of A Fair Shot, a program launched in 2022 to champion gender equity in name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, and to highlight the tax implications of NIL income. This year, the company that revolutionized the tax industry, has teamed up with Fabletics and Jambys to bring greater awareness of the disparity in NIL sponsorships of female student athletes in comparison to their male counterparts. Building on the success of the program’s inaugural year, which supported 19 female college athletes, H&R Block’s 2023 program has expanded to celebrate 50 athletes from 13 different sports, including track & field, lacrosse, rowing, tennis, field hockey, ice hockey, and more, some of which are under-represented in the NIL space. The program now also includes NCAA Division II and Division III schools, as well as Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

"At H&R Block, we believe in maximum gains for everyone, and while we’ve seen some progress in closing the equity gap in college sports and NIL deals, there is still lots more work to be done,” said Jill Cress, Chief Marketing and Experience Officer of H&R Block. “We’re excited for Fabletics and Jambys to join us in leveling the playing field for female college athletes – regardless of sport, division, location, or school size. The more like-minded brands align on doing what’s right, the closer we’ll be to realizing equity and diverse representation in collegiate athletic NIL deals, giving female athletes a fair shot at winning on and off the court, field, and track.”

Since the NCAA began allowing college athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness in 2021, female athletes continue to receive fewer sponsorships and lower compensation than their male peers, especially those outside of the Power 5 conferences and mainstream sports. While women’s basketball, volleyball, and softball are among the top five sports for earnings, many women’s sports are still underrepresented and total compensation for female sponsorships pales in comparison to football. That’s why H&R Block has expanded A Fair Shot to include more female athletes, including Zia Cooke (basketball, University of South Carolina), Aniya Hoggatt (track & field, Florida A&M University), Anessa Campos (soccer, Cal State University, Northridge) and Jordy Bahl (softball, University of Oklahoma), who are this year’s athlete spokeswomen. You can see the full list of 2023 A Fair Shot athletes below and at hrblock.com/afairshot.

“I’m proud to team up with H&R Block again for A Fair Shot and welcome new athletes into the mix,” said Zia Cooke, guard on the National Champion University of South Carolina’s women’s basketball team and returning A Fair Shot alumna. “As we continue to navigate this male-dominated space, it’s really impressive that a brand like H&R Block is so supportive in not only spreading awareness for NIL equity in college sports, but also helping athletes understand the tax implications of the money we’re earning.”

Capitalizing on these deals during their athletic prime sets athletes up for future financial success, part of which is gaining an understanding and knowledge of the nuances associated with filing and paying taxes on NIL income. Which is why, in addition to sponsorships, H&R Block is helping these athletes navigate the unique tax implications of NIL, many for the first time, by providing tax preparation services and support on key tax decisions resulting from this new income.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with H&R Block and A Fair Shot to increase sponsorship opportunities for female athletes. As a team of former college athletes ourselves, Jambys is excited to support initiatives that recognize the importance of equity in the growing NIL space. We're looking forward to seeing the impact that A Fair Shot will make," said Andrew Goble, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Jambys.

This program underscores H&R Block’s purpose to provide help and inspire confidence in its clients and communities everywhere. Learn more about this year’s A Fair Shot athletes, in addition to tax resources related to NIL income, at hrblock.com/afairshot.

2023 A Fair Shot Athlete Roster

• Alaina Rochert – Rowing, Michigan State University
• Alexa Rossum – Track & Field, Stanford University
• Amaya Gainer – Softball, Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University
• Anessa Campos – Soccer, California State University, Northridge
• Aniya Hoggatt – Track & Field, Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University
• Anna Jensen – Rowing, University of Texas
• Asha Fletcher – Track & Field, University of California, Berkeley
• Avery Connors – Swim & Dive, Aquinas College
• Ayoka Lee – Basketball, Kansas State University*
• Belle Kuhner – Tennis, College of Charleston 
• Breana Cook – Tennis, Norfolk State University
• Carson Branstine – Tennis, Texas A&M University
• Corey Friedenbach – Track & Field, San Diego State University
• Derrian Gobourne – Gymnastics, University of Auburn
• Emily Cole – Track & Field, Duke University*
• Emily Oden – Ice Hockey, University of Minnesota
• Emma Grace Berni – Lacrosse, University of Montevallo
• Etta Carpender – Rowing, University of Texas
• Grace Lyons – Softball, University of Oklahoma
• Grace McCallum – Gymnastics, University of Utah*
• Icie Cockerham – Golf, University of Southern Mississippi
• Jadyn Jay – Rowing, University of Kansas
• Jaiden Fields – Softball, University of Georgia*
• Jayda Coleman – Softball, University of Oklahoma*
• Jordan Chiles – Gymnastics, University of California, Los Angeles*
• Jordy Bahl – Softball, University of Oklahoma
• Jordynn Cromartie – Gymnastics, Fisk University
• Julieanne Bou – Tennis, Marquette University
• Karenna Groff – Soccer, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Katie Beiler – Rowing, University of Louisville 
• Kaylin Strahan – Track & Field, Clark Atlanta University
• Keonilei Akana – Volleyball, University of Texas
• Lauren Waddles – Tennis, Samford University
• Lexi Rodriguez – Volleyball, University of Nebraska*
• Maya Green – Gymnastics, University of California, Berkeley
• Mia Ewell – Softball, Morgan State University
• Nicklin Hames – Volleyball, University of Nebraska
• Nicole Hansen – Golf, University of Nebraska, Omaha
• Olivia King – Ice Hockey, University of Minnesota 
• Olivia Rothfeld – Tennis, Towson University
• Paige McCormick – Swim & Dive, University of Louisville
• Paris Washington – Tennis, Southern University
• Reagan Martinsen – Lacrosse, Central Michigan University
• Sam Swart – Field Hockey/Lacrosse, Syracuse University
• Savannah Vach – Volleyball, University of Miami
• Shani Idlette – Tennis, Clark Atlanta University
• Sydney Large – Rowing, Central Oklahoma University
• Trinity Thomas – Gymnastics, University of Florida*
• Yasmeen Tinsley – Track & Field, Monmouth University
• Zia Cooke – Basketball, University of South Carolina*

*Denotes participation in the 2022 A Fair Shot program, in addition to 2023.

About H&R Block  

H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) provides help and inspires confidence in its clients and communities everywhere through global tax preparation services, financial products, and small-business solutions. The company blends digital innovation with human expertise and care as it helps people get the best outcome at tax time and also be better with money using its mobile banking app, Spruce. Through Block Advisors and Wave, the company helps small-business owners thrive with innovative products like Wave Money, a mobile-first, small-business bank account and bookkeeping solution, that manages bookkeeping automatically. For more information, visit H&R Block News or follow @HRBlockNews on Twitter.

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/adebcf9e-91b6-4366-987b-95a68290e031

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bff6b5ee-b13c-4e5f-a9ad-4a98e8c92369

For Further Information: 
  
Media Relations:                 
Angela Davied, (816) 854-5798, angela.davied@hrblock.com 
Heather Woodard (660) 864-3836, heather.woodard@hrblock.com

Investor Relations:
Michaella Gallina, (816) 854-3022, michaella.gallina@hrblock.com  
Jordyn Eskijian, (816) 854-5674, jordyn.eskijian@hrblock.com