After 17 years with Coca-Cola, and launching a variety of products, LeBron James will sign a contract with rival PepsiCo, ESPN sources confirm.
The Los Angeles Lakers star is expected to promote the Mountain Dew brand, which became one of the NBA’s top sponsors after PepsiCo took over as Official Beverage Partner in 2015.
James signed up for the first time Coke in the summer of 2003 for its rookie season Nike and Above deck like your oldest backup partners. His agreement with the company expired last year when the parties could not agree on an extension.
Over the years, James had his own taste of Powerade and his version of Sprite, and took center stage in a Coca-Cola marketing campaign with Yao Ming for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. His first TV commercial was for Sprite in 2003.
Forbes names James the best active player in the NBA in terms of endorsement revenue, at more than $ 50 million per year.
Front Office Sports first reported on the signing.