How We Do Things Here.
This page is the plain-English version of USN's commitments to athletes, sponsors, and fans. It is not a legal document — the Terms of Service covers legal obligations. This is how we actually operate and what everyone on this platform can expect.
Last updated June 2026. These standards apply to all athletes, sponsors, fans, and USN staff.
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These are USN's commitments to every verified athlete on the platform. They are not aspirational statements — they are operational rules that govern every decision USN makes.
You own your stories
Every story, journal entry, and piece of content you publish on USN belongs to you. USN holds a non-exclusive license to display your content on the platform. You may remove your content at any time. USN will never sell, license, or repurpose your content without your explicit consent.
You publish without interference
No sponsor, team, agent, or USN staff member will edit, alter, suppress, approve, or reject your story before it publishes. Your voice goes out exactly as you wrote it. USN reserves the right to remove content that violates platform rules or applicable law — but that is the only editorial action USN will ever take on your content.
You never pay
Athletes do not pay to join USN, apply for verification, publish content, build a profile, or participate in the referral program. This is a permanent rule. USN is funded by sponsors and equity partners, not by the athletes it exists to serve.
You build your own audience
Your followers on USN follow you — not a media brand. If you leave the platform, your audience relationship belongs to you. USN will not use your audience data to market to your followers on behalf of sponsors or third parties.
Collegiate athletes are protected
USN does not provide NIL compliance advice. Collegiate athletes are solely responsible for ensuring their participation complies with applicable NCAA, conference, institutional, and state rules. USN will flag content or compensation that may trigger compliance obligations, but the determination is always yours to make.
Verification is a commitment, not a transaction
USN verification confirms your identity and athletic status. It is not purchased, earned through follower count, or awarded based on fame. A collegiate swimmer and a professional basketball player go through the same verification process and receive the same protections. Verified status may be revoked if USN determines it was obtained through false or misleading information.
Sponsoring USN is an investment in audience access and mission alignment. These standards define exactly what that means and what it does not mean.
Sponsors have zero editorial influence
Sponsoring USN does not give you any ability to edit, approve, reject, suppress, rank, feature, or influence athlete content in any way. This is absolute and non-negotiable. Any attempt to exercise editorial influence over athlete content is grounds for immediate contract termination without refund.
Sponsors support visibility, not control
Your sponsorship funds the platform that gives female athletes a direct, unfiltered voice. That is the product. You are investing in audience access and brand association with a mission, not in the ability to shape that mission.
All sponsors undergo brand safety review
USN reviews every sponsorship application before activation. USN reserves the right to reject any sponsorship that conflicts with the platform mission, creates a conflict of interest for athletes, promotes products or services inconsistent with women's sports values, or reflects poorly on the USN brand. A rejected application will receive a full refund.
Sponsorship terms are public
USN's sponsorship terms, refund policy, and athlete referral program terms are publicly available. There are no hidden side agreements between USN and sponsors that affect athlete content or platform operation. What you see is what exists.
Renewals do not trigger new referral payouts
If your sponsorship was referred by a USN athlete, the athlete referral program applies to your initial contract only. Renewals, extensions, and subsequent contracts are independent business decisions that do not generate new referral payouts to athletes.
These are the commitments USN makes to everyone — athletes, sponsors, and fans. They define what this platform is and what it will always be.
Women's sports only, forever
USN covers women's sports exclusively. This is not a positioning statement or a phase. The platform will never add men's sports coverage, pivot to general sports media, or dilute its focus. Every feature, every hire, every partnership decision is evaluated against this commitment.
Every athlete is equal on the platform
USN does not create editorial hierarchies based on follower count, sport profile, or commercial appeal. A first-year collegiate athlete and a ten-year professional have the same publishing rights, the same content protections, and the same audience access. The platform's architecture is the equity policy.
Sponsors never rank athletes
Sponsors cannot pay for their associated athletes to receive preferential placement, algorithmic advantage, or editorial features. Athlete visibility on USN is earned through content quality and audience engagement — never purchased.
Global from day one
USN is built for female athletes everywhere, not just the United States. Coverage, verification, and platform access are available globally. International payment infrastructure is in development. Geographic limitations are temporary operational constraints, not editorial choices.
Retired athletes matter
Retirement does not end an athlete's relationship with USN. Retired athletes retain their verified status, their published content, and their audience. A career in women's sports does not expire when the playing does.
Founding status is permanent
The first 10 verified athletes in each sport receive Founding Athlete designation permanently. This recognition cannot be purchased, transferred, or revoked except in cases of verified fraud. It is a record of who was here first.
Report a Standards Violation
If you believe USN, a sponsor, or another platform participant has violated these community standards, we want to know. Reports are reviewed by the USN team within 5 business days.