Gatorade Opens The Book On Paige Bueckers Multi-Platform NIL Alliance
Monday, November 29, 2021 at 05:33PM NYSJ Sports-Entertainment Business News Service
November 29, 2021: In what was called a first-of-its-kind deal for the brand, Gatorade has signed Paige Bueckers, sophomore guard on the UConn women's basketball team, to a multi-year NIL alliance.
As part of the pact, Bueckers will appear for Gatorade in TV spots, social media posts and product collaborations.
Bueckers, 20, and Gatorade will also work together to “drive impact on the women’s game.”
Financial terms of the deal were not shared.
This is Bueckers' second national NIL deal following a multi-year alliance with footwear and apparel marketplace StockX.
Beuckers, who hired an agent this past summer, has trademarked the term “Paige Buckets,” which she plans to use for a clothing line and other activation.
“A point guard. A leader. A Bucket. And now, the newest member of the Gatorade Family. Welcome to the squad Paige Bueckers!” Gatorade posted to its social media platforms.
Bueckers is regarded among the top women's college hoops players in the nation. As a freshman, she won numerous awards, including AP Player of the Year, Naismith Player of the Year, USBWA National Player of the Year, John R. Wooden Award and the Nancy Lieberman Award.
She was also named First-team All-American (AP, USBWA), WBCA Coaches' All-American, USBWA National Co-Freshman of the Year, WBCA Co-Freshman of the Year and Big East Player of the Year.
“It was a blessing to win Gatorade Player of the Year (as a high school senior in 2020) and that’s when our relationship started,” Bueckers said in a promo spot posted to social media in which she is seen dribbling a basketball and wearing a Gatorade jacket.
“And now it’s truly surreal to be an official member of the Gatorade family,” Bueckers said through a release. “I know this is just the beginning of our partnership and can’t wait to get to work with Gatorade to drive impact in the community and on the women’s game.”
Bueckers joins a Gatorade athlete roster that includes Serena Williams, Sydney McLaughlin, Elena Delle Donne, Zion Williamson, Jayson Tatum and Trevor Lawrence.
"Paige exemplifies everything it means to be a Gatorade athlete, and partnering with her is a statement to the next generation of our continued commitment to women in sport,” Jeff Kearney, Gatorade global head of sports marketing, said via the division of PepsiCo.