• Loading stock data...
Friday, July 11, 2025

Trevor Lawrence Scores Gatorade Endorsement Deal

  • Clemson QB is expected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
  • Lawrence will pitch flagship Gatorade brand, said Jeff Kearney, global head of sports marketing.
USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

Heading into this week’s NFL Draft, Trevor Lawrence has landed an endorsement deal with one of the world’s biggest sports brands.

Gatorade has signed the presumptive No. 1 pick out of Clemson University to a multiyear contract, according to Jeff Kearney, Gatorade’s global head of sports marketing.‘’

Lawrence’s deal with Gatorade could be worth up to $2 million a year, said Bob Dorfman, a creative director at Baker Street Advertising who rates endorsement potential.

Since Lawrence is already a household name, he could rake in $5-7 million in endorsement dollars his rookie season, Dorfman said.

Lawrence is the first quarterback signed by Gatorade since Cam Newton in 2012. He joins a list that includes stars from other sports like Zion Williamson, Jayson Tatum, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Sydney McLaughlin.

The soon-to-be NFL player will pitch the main Gatorade brand.

“From our point of view, he’s a terrific fit for our core brand … We see him as being a hero for that flagship product,” Kearney said. 

Gatorade won’t be airing any Lawrence spots during this week’s coverage of the NFL Draft on ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network, according to Kearney.

As Gatorade’s marketing team becomes more familiar with his goals and personality, look for new Lawrence ads to hit the market by football season. He could eventually be the face for a portfolio of Gatorade brands and personalized products. 

“The door’s open to do a lot of different things,” said Kearney.

The 21-year old has already scored a deal with adidas. Lawrence’s flowing hair makes him a natural for the Head & Shoulders shampoo brand, which has cast NFL stars like Patrick Mahomes and Troy Polamalu in national ad campaigns.

“While no drafted QB is a sure thing in the NFL, Lawrence has a high ceiling,” Dorfman said. “If he brings postseason success to the Jags immediately, those endorsement numbers could quickly double.”

Gatorade dominates the $9.3 billion sports drink market in the U.S. The brand held a 67.7% market share in 2020, according to Euromonitor, compared to 13.7% for Powerade and 9.3% for BodyArmor.

Disney’s NFL Draft Strategy

ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit tells what will be different this year about ABC’s…
April 15, 2021

Along with Nike, Gatorade has created some of the most memorable sports campaigns in history. 

Gatorade’s epic 90-second ad celebrating baseball star Derek Jeter’s retirement in 2014 is considered one of the top commercials of the past decade. In 1991, NBA superstar Michael Jordan starred in Gatorade’s iconic “Be Like Mike” commercial.

Lawrence is expected to virtually beam into this week’s NFL Draft from Clemson. Will he have a bottle of Gatorade next to him on camera? 

“I hope so,” said Kearney.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

A Lululemon store at Freehold Raceway Mall in Freehold Township, New Jersey on Nov. 30, 2023

Sportswear Stocks Rise as Trump Touts Vietnam Trade Deal

Tariffs on Vietnam imports will be 20%, down from a prior threat of 46%.
Jun 10, 2025; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins (81) participates in a drill during an NFL football minicamp at NRG Stadium.

30 of 32 NFL Second-Round Draft Picks Remain Unsigned

Some rookie training camps start in under two weeks.
Joopiter, Michael Jordan card

Michael Jordan Rookie Card Sells for Record $2.5M in Eyebrow-Raising Auction

The auction, which received only one bid, sets a new record.

Featured Today

Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
July 9, 2025

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
Jul 10, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) dunks against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first quarter of their game at Thomas & Mack Center.
July 11, 2025

Cooper Flagg Makes Mavericks, New Balance Debut in Win Over Bronny

Thursday marked Flagg’s first game donning New Balance shoes.
Apr 9, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Katie Taylor (left) and Amanda Serrano (right) pose in front of Jake Paul during a press conference ahead of their boxing match at Madison Square Garden.
July 11, 2025

Serrano vs. Taylor 3 Set to Be Biggest Women’s Boxing Match in..

“I’m just sick of the whining and complaining from your team.”
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
July 10, 2025

Jalen Williams Signs Max Deal As Thunder Commit $822M to 3 Stars

Oklahoma City also extended Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren.
Hall of Fame Open at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Newport.
July 10, 2025

Andy Roddick Slams Billionaire Bill Ackman’s Pro Tennis Gambit

“This was the biggest joke I’ve ever watched in professional tennis.”
July 10, 2025

Suns All In on Booker, Who Signs Record Extension Amidst Chaos

The Suns changed their head coach for the fourth time in four years.
Jul 10, 2025; Wimbledon, United Kingdom; Amanda Anisimova of the United States celebrates winning her match against Aryna Sabalenka on day 11 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
July 10, 2025

Amanda Anisimova Stuns Sabalenka to Reach Wimbledon Final, Clinches $2M

The American’s Wimbledon run will continue with her first major final.