Bryce Harper Joins Vick, Ochocinco On MusclePharm Roster
Special to NYSportsJournalism
May 23, 2012: Bryce Harper, rookie outfielder with the Washington Nationals, has signed a deal with MusclePharm, becoming the first MLB player to officially endorse the nutritional supplement company.
Financial terms of the pact were not disclosed.
The 19-year-old Harper joins a roster of MusclePharm endorsers that includes NFL players Michael Vick (Philadelphia Eagles), Patrick Willis (San Francisco 49ers) and Chad Ochocinco (New England Patriots); several bodybuilders; and several mixed-marshal art athletes from the UFC, where MusclePharm is the official nutritional supplement supplier.
Harper will appear in marketing for the company. But due to the fact that MusclePharm is not an official partner of MLB or the Nationals, they cannot show him in his official baseball uniform. On the company's Web site, the deal was unveiled with the text, "MusclePharm signs Bryce Harper, pro baseball star" over a photo of Harper in a nondescript baseball uniform.
"Harper's immense baseball talent, likable personality and broad appeal to a key demographic made this the ideal partnership for MusclePharm," Cory Gregory, the Denver-based company's co-founder and svp, said in a statement "We've had our eye on Bryce for nearly two years, because I really thought he fit our brand perfectly . . . It is icing on the cake that he is already using MusclePharm products."
"I have been using MusclePharm products for more than a year, and I fell in love with the brand after first being introduced to it."
According to Harper, "MusclePharm products have been certified to be used in professional baseball, and I know they are safe and effective because of that. I have been using MusclePharm products for more than a year, and I fell in love with the brand after first being introduced to it. Their entire product line is outstanding, and they do an amazing job helping me recover correctly, while allowing me to perform at a high level. I am truly excited to be working with MusclePharm in this capacity."
Harper was the No. 1 over pick in the 2010 baseball draft by the Nationals. He made his pro baseball debut on April 28.
Added Gregory, "Bryce fits into our main demographic perfectly, and we are beyond thrilled to have him on board as one of our main athletes. He trains extremely hard and has a tremendous work ethic, and we are excited to welcome Bryce to MusclePharm in a big way."