The 2021 NBA MVP has been announced as the first-ever WhatsApp brand ambassador

Global messaging platform WhatsApp has announced Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo as its first-ever brand ambassador and global partner. The partnership will see Antetokounmpo headline exclusive content, community outreach programmes and special events for WhatsApp. 

The partnership was announced at the NBA All-Star event in Cleveland, where the Bucks star wore a customised green hoodie with the WhatsApp logo, which had the number “234” printed on the front. The number stands for his home country Nigeria’s calling code, and also, 34 is his jersey number. 

Speaking about joining the WhatsApp family, Giannis Antetokounmpo. commented:

“Throughout my life, WhatsApp has kept me connected to my loved ones, my friends, my communities, and everyone important to me. It’s a link to home in Greece, and a link to my family roots in Nigeria. Having easy access to my communities has helped build me into the person and athlete I am today, and working with WhatsApp, a messaging service that I use every day to stay connected with family is important to me. I look forward to building on this partnership together.

“I love the idea, on this big stage to represent where my family’s from, my culture, and the people in Nigeria. When I have an opportunity for an endorsement, I have to make sure I really enjoy doing it, and it makes sense. Everything I do is authentic. I’m not trying to promote just any company to grab the money.

“Time is very important. I have my family, and I need the time to dedicate to being great at what I do, which is basketball. When I get myself involved with a brand partnership, it has to be as authentic as possible, and I let them know I’m not here to just say some nonsense in interviews or whatever. It has to be an authentic fit. The fans can tell, too. They know if you’re just doing it for the money, or you really believe what you’re saying.”

With the WhatsApp partnership, Antetokounmpo adds to his growing list of sponsors which include Nike, JBL and Google. 

The 27-year-old NBA star also recently became a minority owner in Major League Baseball’s Milwaukee Brewers and is an investor in sports drink brand Ready Nutrition.