These New York-based teams are teaming up with Mynd Drinks, a hemp-based CBD sparkling beverage company that previously made history as an official partner of the Major League Baseball (MLB) team, the Chicago Cubs.
Following the NBA’s removal of marijuana from its banned substances list for players and the subsequent allowance for players to invest in and promote cannabis companies, the Brooklyn Nets have become the first NBA team to sign a multi-year contract, designating Mynd as their official wellness and recovery drink partner. Bloomberg initially reported on this significant development.
While specific details about the agreements with the Brooklyn Nets and the WNBA’s New York Liberty remain undisclosed, the partnership with the Chicago Cubs involved marketing the CBD drinks through in-game features and signage.
These collaborations reflect the ongoing trend of mainstreaming hemp and CBD since the federal legalization of the crop and its derivatives under the 2018 Farm Bill. The normalization of hemp and CBD in various professional sports organizations is evident through corporate partnerships and revised cannabis policies for athletes, aligning with the broader movement toward marijuana legalization at the state level.