LeBron James, together with Michael Jordan, are among the most prominent basketball players turned alcohol fellows. So have you ever thought of which of the NBA legends took up the spirits business? Let’s take a look at the five biggest celebrities who started their alcohol brands:
1. Michael Jordan – Cincoro Tequila
Michael Jordan began his brand of tequila called Cincoro Tequila in 2019 by joining four other NBA owners. Cincoro tequila is a premium brand with the availability of different tequilas ranging from as low as $80 up to $1500. Since Cincoro was established, it has succeeded in the market and was awarded many times, with more than 1.5 million bottles sold in the international market as per Sportsrush.Â
2. Lobos 1707 Tequila — LeBron James
LeBron James himself came up with Lobos 1707 in 2020, as a tequila brand geared towards embracing both Mexican and Spanish cultures. The tequila is infused into Pedro Ximénez wine barrels which gives it a unique taste. Lobos 1707 has now gained significant fame, and is available at $30-$50 for a bottle.
3. Dwyane Wade – Wade Cellars
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Activist and basketball legend Dwyane Wade also ventured into the wine business through Wade Cellars, which he established in 2014 as per Bottleraiders. This Napa Valley wine brand is all about making wines affordable and for everyone and the wines that Wade produces are those he enjoys drinking.
4. Scottie Pippen – Digits Bourbon
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Scottie Pippen introduced Digits Bourbon in 2021 along with winemaker Dave Phinney. The bourbon is said to be inspired by Pippen’s career and is intended to create a classy spirit intended for drinking. It is matured for a minimum of five years and has a good taste.
5. Stephen Curry – Gentleman’s Cut Bourbon
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Stephen Curry came into the Bourbon market with Gentleman’s Cut, which was launched in 2023. The bourbon is made with a mash bill of corn, rye, and malted barley. It is matured for between 5-7 years, according to The Sportsrush.Â
With more athlete-interest brands in the alcoholic beverage industry, the future of celebrity-owned brands remains uncertain. Will these NBA stars keep improving in this field? How are these brands going to get a slice of the market when they are faced with market giants?
The rising number of sports personalities launching companies in the alcohol sector is evidence of how business-minded the athletes are and the potential of the alcohol business. Fans want these players to endorse their products; hence, they can easily sell these products to fans across the global market.
