Who is MrBeast and what is Feastables?
MrBeast, whose real name is James Donaldson, is one of the most popular and influential YouTube creators in the world. He has over 188 million subscribers on his main channel, where he uploads videos of various stunts, challenges, and philanthropic acts. He is also known for his generosity and creativity, as he often gives away large sums of money or prizes to his fans or strangers.
Feastables is a snack company that MrBeast launched in January 2022. The company sells chocolate bars called MrBeast Bars, which come in different flavors and have a chance of containing a golden ticket that can be redeemed for cash or other rewards. The company also plans to expand its product line to include other snacks and beverages.
How did the partnership between MrBeast and the Hornets come about?
On Monday, October 2, 2023, the Charlotte Hornets announced that they have signed a jersey patch deal with Feastables, making it the official snack partner of the NBA team. This marks the first time that an influencer has partnered with an NBA franchise in such a way.
The deal was reportedly initiated by MrBeast himself, who reached out to the Hornets through his agent. According to ESPN, MrBeast is a fan of the team and wanted to support them in their upcoming season. He also saw an opportunity to promote his brand and reach a wider audience through the NBA platform.
The Hornets were receptive to the idea and agreed to the partnership, which will last for the 2023-24 season. The deal includes having the Feastables logo on the upper left shoulder of the Hornets’ jerseys, as well as on their media backdrops for news conferences. The deal also involves various digital and social media activations, such as giveaways, contests, and fan engagement.
What are the benefits and challenges of the partnership?
The partnership between MrBeast and the Hornets is expected to bring mutual benefits for both parties. For MrBeast, it will help him increase his brand awareness and exposure, as well as generate more revenue from his snack sales. He will also be able to leverage his massive fan base and influence to boost the popularity and performance of the Hornets.
For the Hornets, it will help them attract more attention and interest from younger and online audiences, who may not be familiar with or invested in the team. It will also help them generate more revenue from jersey sales and sponsorships, as well as create more buzz and excitement around their games and players.
However, the partnership also comes with some challenges and risks. For MrBeast, it will require him to maintain his reputation and image as a positive and trustworthy influencer, as any controversy or scandal could damage his brand and affect his relationship with the Hornets. He will also have to balance his commitments and obligations to both his YouTube channel and his snack company, as well as ensure that his products meet the quality and safety standards of the NBA.
For the Hornets, it will require them to embrace a new and unconventional approach to marketing and branding, as well as deal with potential backlash or criticism from traditional or conservative fans or media outlets. They will also have to ensure that their partnership with MrBeast does not overshadow or distract from their core mission and vision as a basketball team.
What are some examples of other influencer-sports partnerships?
The partnership between MrBeast and the Hornets is not the first of its kind, but it is certainly one of the most prominent and unprecedented ones. There have been other examples of influencers collaborating or partnering with sports teams or athletes in various ways, such as:
- In 2021, FaZe Clan, a popular esports organization and lifestyle brand, signed NBA star LeBron James Jr., also known as Bronny James, as a content creator and ambassador.
- In 2020, David Dobrik, another famous YouTube personality, became a minority owner of Angel City FC, a women’s soccer team based in Los Angeles.
- In 2019, Ninja, a renowned gamer and streamer, teamed up with Adidas to launch his own signature shoe line.
- In 2018, Logan Paul, a controversial YouTube star, challenged former NFL player Antonio Brown to a boxing match.
- In 2017, Dude Perfect, a group of YouTubers known for their trick shots and sports videos, partnered with ESPN to produce a TV show called The Dude Perfect Show.
