Michelob ULTRA is the new official beer partner of the NBA. We rescued some of their rejected slogans from the cutting room floor.
The NBA has a slew of “official” sponsors for all sorts of weird products. Did you know there is an official motor oil of the NBA? And an official artificial intelligence partner of the NBA? Or that they are still deciding on an official “below-the-waist” grooming partner?
Today, after a huge announcement by Marc Stein of The New York Times, we can add a new brand to the list. Michelob ULTRA is now the official beer partner of the NBA.
The NBA just announced that Michelob ULTRA is the new official beer partner of the league
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 23, 2020
Michelob ULTRA’s marketing is built around its low calorie count, appealing to high-performance gym class heroes and rec-league all-stars. In a hilariously predictable twist, Jimmy Butler — who also has cultivated a hard-working image meant to appeal to gym class heroes and rec-league all-stars — is the face of the new campaign. Get ready for some commercials about how this the only beer to quench your thirst after hours of dribbling around your hotel room.
Butler might have been the obvious choice but before they settled on him, Michelob and the league almost certainly workshopped a few other slogans and campaign angles. Luckily, we were able to pull a few together.
What slogan should Michelob ULTRA have used for its NBA campaign?
“The Charlotte Bobcats of Beer!”
“The beer so light, Zach Lowe once drank two of them!”
“The beer for people who don’t like beer but also aren’t emotionally ready to take the leap to hard seltzer!”
“The beer for people who love their UA Curry Twos!”
“With Michelob ULTRA, Daddy’s Always Happy!”
“Goes great with Hennessy, the official spirit of the NBA!”
“It’s like Meyers Leonard’s jump shot, in a bottle!”
“The only beer that belongs in your bubble!”
“Beer don’t lie!”