Austin, Texas-based Big Red Inc. signed San Antonio Spurs Forward-Center Matt Bonner as its newest brand ambassador. Nicknamed “The Red Mamba,” Bonner will appear on Big Red soda displays at hundreds of stores across central and south Texas beginning this month. Next spring, the brand also plans to host a text-to-win sweepstakes through which fans can win Bonner’s autographed Spurs jersey.
“As a Texas-based company, we’re excited to welcome local legend Matt Bonner to the Big Red team,” said Thomas Oh, Big Red’s senior vice president of marketing, in a statement. “Big Red is San Antonio’s No. 1 flavored soft drink, and Matt is the only redhead in the NBA. So, it makes perfect sense for San Antonio’s two favorite reds to partner together to get fans pumped for another championship season.”
As a 10-year NBA veteran and a two-time NBA Champion, Bonner is a down-to-earth fan favorite, according to Big Red.
"I'm really excited to team up with such a unique, iconic Texas brand in Big Red soda,” Bonner said in a statement. “This partnership will create some cool opportunities to engage with fans of this delicious soft drink as we try for back-to-back championships with the Spurs."
When he’s not playing basketball, Bonner acts as co-founder of the Rock On Foundation, which he founded in 2013 with his brother Luke. The Rock On Foundation serves to increase community artistic and athletic opportunities. He also appeals to his fans by making short videos titled “Wrapping with the Red Mamba,” in which he eats sandwiches with popular rappers.