Beer and sports are virtually inseparable. But which beers best represent the NBA?
The NBA announced a partnership with Michelob ULTRA Thursday morning. The low-calorie beer is now the official beer of the NBA. The decision was (obviously) not based on taste or popularity, of course, but on the almighty dollar. If money was no issue, though, there are several adult beverages that would have been better choices.
Five Beers the NBA Should Have Partnered With
5. Corona Extra
There has never been a better — or more controversial, at least — time to partner with the Mexican alcohol powerhouse Corona. For those who haven’t heard, we are in the midst of a global pandemic known as COVID-19, the coronavirus, or simply, “corona”. The NBA will return to play soon in the Orlando Bubble because of this coronavirus. If Corona Extra then sponsored the bubble, it would lead to internet outrage. Or as corporations like to call it, “free publicity”.
The NBA just announced that Michelob ULTRA is the new official beer partner of the league
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 23, 2020
Both parties would benefit greatly from the uproar. There’s no such thing as negative press, after all. Using the Corona name to officially sponsor a league disrupted by a virus of a similar name is a genius marketing move with hardly any downside. The only negative is that Dos Equis is clearly the superior Mexican beer.
4. Samuel Adams Boston Lager
The Boston Celtics have won the most championships in NBA history. They’re primed for a deep playoff run, often tabbed as a dark horse to actually win the 2020 title. They’ve got one of the best young cores in the league and one of the best coaches. Perhaps the NBA should cash out early on LeBron James and go all-in on Boston.
Imagine a league sponsored by a Bostonian beer dominated by the Bostonian team. Surely no NBA fans would object to that utopia.
3. Natural Light
If there are two things present at every fraternity event across the United States, they are NBA jerseys and Natty Light. The two have been a match made in heaven for years, though they’ve never become an official couple. If they did, college campuses across the nation would rejoice, probably loud enough to get the campus police called to shut down the party.
2. White Claw
White Claw took the world by storm, seemingly overnight. Though this drink isn’t technically a beer, it is one of the most popular drinks in the world, especially with the younger generation. College students’ ears would perk up across the globe at the mere mention of the fruity seltzer, generating effortless buzz for the NBA.
Ain’t no laws when you’re drinking Claws.
1. Milwaukee’s Best
Though this is objectively the worst tasting beer on this list, and perhaps of all-time, it might be the boldest, most genius choice of all. Giannis Antetokounmpo might be the best player in the league. If he isn’t the best, he’s very, very close. He’s a soon to be back-to-back MVP, and may even secure Defensive Player of the Year. Though he may not be the NBA’s best (yet), he is absolutely Milwaukee’s Best.
Dear NBA,
When did people start considering Michelob Ultra to be beer?
Sincerely,
Wisconsin https://t.co/F8XZVjt1D9— Erik Haslam (@haslametrics) July 23, 2020
If the NBA wants to beat the Antentokounmpo cash cow to death, signing a deal with Milwaukee’s Best may be the way to go. Of course, that sponsorship would have to cease if Antentokoumpo chose to leave in free agency, say, for the Golden State Warriors.
Last Word on Beer
No matter your drink of choice, though, soon we can all “crack open a cold one with the boys” for some NBA action. The league makes its official return on July 30th, so get your officially licensed NBA beers ready.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
