Ryan García is undoubtedly one of the most discussed names in the global boxing scene recently. Starting the new year with a title grab, the rising lightweight superstar already aims sky high success this year and has marked a new chapter in his career- with Gatorade.
Gatorade Zero Powder, the world famous American sports drink brand has picked García for a national sponsorship deal on Friday, which is also the first time for the company to endorse a professional boxer. But why Ryan García in particular?
Well, he ticks the right boxes.
A Mexican-American with massive online fan-following: Ryan García fits right in with Gatorade
Since winning the WBC lightweight title against Luke Campbell, Ryan García’s popularity in the last month has rocketed to astounding heights. The 22-year-old took the world by storm when he announced to have a match with none other than Manny Pacquiao, and has even sparked fuel with Gervonta Davis.
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Outside of the squared circle, García has a massive social media audience. While he still hasn’t returned on Twitter, KingRy has over 8.4 million followers on Instagram and 3.2 million on TikTok.
Despite not being a household name in boxing yet, the 22-year-old’s a massive online fanbase and also, being an American national with a Mexican heritage, García holds preference over many other pro boxers of his generation and the keyword to focus on is- marketability.
According to a recent analysis done by Nielsen, Ryan García was ranked the 12th most marketable athlete by SportsPro in 2020, ahead of NBA icon Steph Curry (13) and NFL stalwarts Patrick Mahomes (26) and Tom Brady (30), who are some of the top sportspersons in the United States.
Gatorade’s own words reflected the same notion.
“We pride ourselves on fueling all types of athletes, and those who compete in combat sports, a world we’ve supported for many years, are no exception,” Jeff Kearney, the global head of sports marketing recently stated, “bringing Ryan on at the national level in the U.S. only strengthens that commitment, and it is a testament to his talent and work ethic.”
