Socceroos Star Cristian Volpato Licenses AI Twin in New Sports Rights Deal

Twenty-two-year-old Socceroos and Sassuolo footballer Cristian Volpato has signed an exclusive deal with California-based company Callandor to license his artificial intelligence likeness. In mid-September, Volpato agreed to give the firm rights to his digital image, voice, biometric profiles, and performance data to monetise through brand partnerships while blocking unauthorized content. Callandor co-founder Michael Fisk explains that synthetic twins allow athletes to earn income around the clock without cutting into their training or personal time. Founded in February, the company also represents Brazilian footballer Jorginho and American sailor Chris Poole. Beyond traditional ads, Fisk envisions AI book voiceovers in foreign languages and interactive coaching apps where a digital clone of Volpato gives fans real-time football advice. Athletes are increasingly moving to protect their digital identities as brands, broadcasters, and bookmakers use unauthorized AI images. Earlier this month, the Australian Football League instructed betting partner Sportsbet to halt unauthorized AI player images after a union complaint. Other stars have also engaged with the technology, including Brazilian player Neymar, who licensed his likeness in June, and Australian cricketer Travis Head, who recently appeared in a Kayo broadcast ad featuring a flying kookaburra.

Context

Digital image rights in sports are evolving rapidly as generative artificial intelligence makes it easy to replicate a person's appearance and voice without consent. Athletes are turning to specialized agencies to retain control over how their likenesses are commercialized in online advertising and entertainment.