It is common for many NBA stars to start their own brands after retiring, as Michael Jordan did, or even while staying in the league, as LeBron does. Whatever the case may be, NBA stars do not pass up opportunities that allow them to establish a new income source.
Among the brands owned by NBA stars, alcohol brands have gained prominence. Today, we will be looking at popular alcohol brands owned by retired or active professional basketball players in the NBA.
How many NBA stars have their own alcohol brand?
There are a good amount of NBA stars that own an Alcohol brand. Whether they have started it because of their love for the product or to establish an alternative source of income it remains clear that the brands owned by these stars have become quite popular among the masses.
The great Michael Jordan owns a premium Tequila brand named Cincoro, which he founded with four other players from the NBA. Launched in 2019, Jordan’s Cincore has become a respected and popular alcohol brand worldwide.
Following Michael Jordan is the Lakers superstar LeBron James. James co-owns a Tequila and Mezcal brand named Lobos 1707. James’ involvement with Lobos comes from his love for the product and his desire to have his own Tequila brand. While Michael Jordan and LeBron ventured into the Tequila route, the Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry chose a different path.
Steph Curry recently entered the alcohol market space with his premium Bourbon whiskey brand, Gentleman’s Cut. Curry’s involvement with the brand stems from his love for bourbon whiskeys, and he has taken utmost care with his brand by directly participating in the selection of whiskeys and blending processes. In 2022, James Harden also entered the alcohol market with his wine brand, J-Harden, offering a variety of wines at affordable ranges.
Popular sports analyst and former player Charles Barkley is also a player in the alcohol market with his vodka brand, Redmont Vodka. Barkley’s passion for vodka drives his involvement with the brand, promoting it on various occasions and aiding in the development of new products. Some other NBA stars who own alcohol brands include Scottie Pippen (Digits Bourbon), Isiah Thomas (Cherulin Champagne), Carmelo Anthony (The Seventh Estate), and CJ McCollum (McCollum Heritage).
Michael Jordan’s multimillion-dollar deal with Gatorade
Michael Jordan has one of the most impressive resumes when it comes to brand endorsement deals. The greatest of all time has been a Nike guy all his career and was the first athlete to sign a lifetime deal with the sneaker brand.
However, his story with Gatorade is also very interesting. In 1991, Gatorade had already partnered up with the NBA but when MJ won his first NBA championship, they did not waste any time and signed up the superstar making him switch from endorsing Coca-Cola to Gatorade.
Then came the “Be Like Mike” campaign, which is one of the most popular advertisements in the world. Michael became a global icon, and Gatorade hit the jackpot. Initially, Mike had signed a 10-year deal with Gatorade worth $13.5 million. Later on, it was reported that MJ was earning $10 million annually from Gatorade alone, and his total estimated earnings from Gatorade amounted to a staggering $200 million.
What do you think of Michael Jordan’s deal with Gatorade? Have you tried any of the NBA player-owned alcohol brands? We are eager to hear from you, so drop down in the comments and let us know.
