Duke's standout athlete, Cooper Flagg, now represents the fresh visage of Gatorade.
Fresh Take: Duke's Phenom, Cooper Flagg, Shines as Gatorade's Poster Boy in March Madness
Imagine the press conference scene after a nail-biting NCAA Tournament game. There's Coach Jon Scheyer, the jubilant guard Tyrese Proctor, and then there's Cooper Flagg, the star rookie sporting a smirk and a swag that sets him apart. Couldn't quite catch a glimpse of the Powerade cup in front of him? Well, that's because Cooper's got a little something brewing with Gatorade, the sports drink giant (and let's not forget, a fierce rival to Powerade, which is owned by Coca-Cola).
The call between Gatorade and Cooper went down way before he even set foot on Duke's campus, all thanks to his dedicated agent, Austin Brown of CAA. He got the deal sewn up—a multi-year contract, mind you, but not for life. And wait till you hear the best part—the deal extends well into his NBA career!
Cooper's the first (and only) men's college basketball spokesman for Gatorade. He's shining bright in their nationally-televised campaign dubbed "The Take", which kicked off during March Madness, often alongside college basketball pioneers like Paige Bueckers, Gatorade's first women's sponsor, and JuJu Watkins.
So, how did Cooper handle his first game with that pesky ankle injury from the ACC Tournament? With an alley-oop dunk to Khaman Maluach and a swift and-one in the first two minutes, Flagg showed no sign of giving in.
But what about that ankle sprain that kept him sidelined for Duke's third game? Instead of resting up, Cooper made sure he was seen by his team and his loyal fans—wrapped snugly in a Gatorade towel, no less, during the nationally-televised ACC Tournament semifinal. When asked about it later, Cooper, with a flash of his trademark smile, confirmed his loyalty to the brand.
Here's a fun fact: being a Gatorade Player of the Year isn't necessary to become a Gatorade spokesperson. However, attending a school like Duke, which partners with Gatorade for all sports, certainly helps spread the word about the collaboration. And given that North Carolina state law allows college athletes to rack up sponsorships beyond their Duke days, Cooper's star is bound to twinkle even brighter.
Cooper also endorses two other major brands—New Balance and AT&T—and has appeared in ads for them during March Madness, too. But according to Cooper's manager, Rachel Baker, he prioritizes basketball, and only considers endorsements that are "big-time" deals. With endorsements from NBA champ Jayson Tatum, NFL MVP Josh Allen, and of course, the legendary Michael Jordan, Gatorade is a pretty big deal alright!
"The Take" is just the beginning of Cooper's journey with Gatorade. Kearney, Gatorade's global head of sports marketing, shares that more ads are on the way, likely to drop well into Cooper's NBA career. So keep your eyes peeled for Cooper Flagg—the charismatic, resilient, and fiercely competitive athlete who's destined for the top!
Insights:- Cooper Flagg is not only a star player for Duke but also a proud Gatorade endorser, starring in their March Madness campaign called "The Take."- Cooper's competitive demeanor, as well as his multidimensional skillset, made him a perfect fit for Gatorade's brand image.- Gatorade's "The Take" campaign emphasizes athletes' ability to overcome pressures and distractions, focusing on their determination and resilience in big moments. - The campaign features Cooper Flagg alongside JuJu Watkins and Paige Bueckers.- The emphasis on Cooper in Gatorade's advertising is due to his status as Gatorade's first male collegiate basketball endorser and the potential for extended brand visibility throughout his NBA career.- Theannels like Duke, which partner with Gatorade, aid in showcasing the brand and promoting sponsorship deals for athletes like Cooper Flagg.- The state of North Carolina is favorable towards college athletes holding sponsorships extending beyond their college careers, which could further widen Cooper's brand visibility.
- Cooper Flagg, with a trademark smile, confirmed his loyalty to Gatorade, despite being offered Powerade cups, signifying his commitment to the sports drink giant amidst their rivalry.
- Despite being sidelined with an ankle sprain during Duke's third game, Cooper Flagg showcased his resilience by being wrapped in a Gatorade towel during the nationally-televised ACC Tournament semi-final, symbolizing his strong bond with the brand.
- In addition to being the first men's college basketball spokesman for Gatorade, Cooper Flagg also endorses brands like New Balance and AT&T, demonstrating his potential to become a major endorser in the sports industry, following in the footsteps of NBA champion Jayson Tatum and NFL MVP Josh Allen.
