While Sprite fans know to “Obey Their Thirst,” the lemon-lime beverage’s connection to basketball and its culture is just as iconic. For the first time, the popular Coca-Cola brand partners with select teams and players to put that love of the game on the Sprite NBA can.
For many people a beverage is more than just soda, pop or another colloquial term. A diner can feel disappointed with another clear, carbonated beverage is a bland substitute for the classic Sprite.
Choosing to drink one beverage over another defines a person. From taste preference to cultural connection, the can in your hand matters.
Sprite has leveraged its connection to the NBA and its players smartly. While the splashy campaigns are visually compelling, it is more than just an image that fades. When basketball fans connect play with thirst, they will grab that Sprite over another beverage.
Ready to Pop Open the Collectible Sprite NBA Teams and Unrivaled Cans?
Available now through March, the new Collectible Sprite NBA Teams and Unrivaled cans hit retailers. The specialty cans will be available in teams’ local markets. Additionally, the Unrivaled cans will be available in the Northeast, Las Vegas and Florida.
The 17 featured NBA teams and eight players include:
NBA:
- Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trailblazers, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards
Unrivaled:
- Can 1: Lexie Hull, Brittney Sykes, Napheesa Collier, Skyler Diggins,
- Can 2: Kate Martin, Dearica Hamby, Rhyne Howard, Breanna Stewart
While NBA and WBNA fans will run to buy their first twelve pack, some people might have to search a little harder. Since the specialty cans are available in a teams’ market, Hawks fans who live in Nebraska might have to phone a friend. Maybe Sprite can find a way to ship these cans.
Sprite’s NBA Cans Celebrate Sports Fandoms
Sprite’s new NBA and Unrivaled cans are a smart move for the beverage brand. As Bud Light’s NFL team cans proves, putting a team on a can increases sales in those markets. From tailgating to watching at home, people want to support their team with branded food and beverages.
Beverage brands understand that they need to connect with consumers. While many companies have iconic characters or catchy taglines, today’s consumer wants more. It cannot be another viral video that people forget in an instant.
If NBA fans connect Sprite with their favorite team, it will become that lucky beverage, the constant, the one that they will only drink at a game. The idea can even extend to the arena. If fans only drink Sprite, that lemon-lime beverage better be poured at the concession stand.
Although these cans have a limited run, the connection needs to continue beyond the NBA season. As many people appreciate, habits are hard to break. If people grab a can every Tuesday night during NBC’s prime-time game, they will probably grab the same can when the regular programming returns.
How quickly will the Sprite NBA and Unrivaled cans sell out? Faster than Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies on a transition play.
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