After 17 years with Coca-Cola, launching a variety of products, LeBron James signs with rival PepsiCo, ESPN sources confirmed.
The Los Angeles Lakers star is expected to promote the Mountain Dew brand, which became one of the NBA’s main sponsors after PepsiCo took over as the league’s official partner in 2015.
James signed with Coca-Cola in the summer of 2003 before the debut season; the company has joined Nike and Upper Deck as its long-term support partners. His agreement with Coca-Cola expired last year, when the parties failed to reconcile with an extension.
Over the years, James has had his own Powerade flavor and Sprite version and has been at the center of a Coca-Cola marketing campaign with Yao Ming for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. His first television commercial was for Sprite. in 2003.
Forbes lists James as the best active NBA player in spinning earnings, exceeding $ 50 million a year.
Front Office Sports first reported the signing.