Klay Thompson, the beloved Golden State Warriors guard, is known for his on-court prowess and… his off-court quirks. Among these is a rather public display of disdain for Gatorade. While the Splash Brother is celebrated for his three-pointers, he’s equally, if less formally, recognized for his subtle, and sometimes not-so-subtle, attempts to banish Gatorade bottles from interview tables. This has led many fans and observers to ask: why does Klay Thompson hate Gatorade so much? And does this sentiment extend to other NBA players?
The answer in Klay’s case is less about personal animosity towards the sports drink and more about brand loyalty. Thompson is a prominent endorser of BODYARMOR, a competitor to Gatorade. This sponsorship deal puts him in a somewhat awkward position, given that Gatorade is a major sponsor of the NBA itself. Gatorade bottles are omnipresent at NBA events, particularly press conferences, creating a direct conflict with Klay’s endorsement obligations.
Videos and social media posts tagged #KlayHatesGatorade showcase various instances of Thompson strategically moving, hiding, or even removing Gatorade bottles during interviews. These actions, while humorous, underscore the business side of professional sports. Athletes like Klay navigate a complex landscape of team sponsorships, league-wide deals, and their personal endorsements. For Klay, pushing aside a Gatorade bottle is essentially upholding his end of the bargain with BODYARMOR.
But does this “hate” for Gatorade extend beyond sponsorship conflicts? It’s hard to definitively say if other NBA players harbor genuine dislike for Gatorade. However, the dominance of Gatorade in the sports drink market is undeniable, and with dominance often comes a degree of counter-sentiment. Perhaps some players prefer the taste, ingredients, or brand ethos of alternative drinks like BODYARMOR, or even just plain water. In a league filled with top-tier athletes hyper-conscious of their bodies and performance, drink choices can be very personal and strategic.
Ultimately, while “hate” might be too strong a word, Klay Thompson’s very public avoidance of Gatorade highlights the interesting intersection of personal endorsements and league sponsorships in the NBA. It also subtly raises a broader question: in a market now brimming with sports drink options, do NBA players, and athletes in general, have evolving preferences beyond the long-reigning giant, Gatorade? For Klay, and likely for other sponsored athletes, the choice is clear, and sometimes, hilariously so.
