(RepublicanReport.org) – In June, Bud Light lost its top spot as the best-selling beer in America, slipping to second place behind Modelo Especial. The fall from grace followed a controversy regarding Bud Light’s decision to send Dylan Mulvaney a promotional can with her face on the label. Critics who don’t support the LGBTQ+ community called for a ban on the beer, and it was largely successful — at least temporarily. Recently, Bud Light made a move that might reverse the trend.
On October 24, Anheuser-Busch announced a multi-year partnership with the UFC — a well-known mixed martial arts organization. Starting January 1, 2024, Bud Light will become the exclusive “official beer partner of UFC.” Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth said his company and the Bud Light brand “have always been on the cutting edge of iconic sporting moments” that resonate with fans. The executive said the partnership represents a “continuation of this industry-leading legacy.” This isn’t the first time the two organizations teamed up, so the pairing is a welcome reunion for both brands.
UFC CEO Dana White also released a statement about the partnership. He said the pair teamed up over 15 years ago, and he was “proud to announce” they were “back in business together.” White said the UFC and Bud Lights’ “core values” are “very aligned,” making the arrangement a perfect pairing. Anheuser-Busch will be heavily integrated into key UFC assets, from live events to digital content and social spaces. The two organizations will also develop unique broadcast features for US UFC pay-per-view events.
According to Newsweek, the backlash from anti-LGBTQ+ individuals has been swift against the UFC, going so far as to call for a boycott against the mixed martial arts powerhouse. But the organization is unphased. White said the deal was a “no-brainer” for him, reiterating that his values were perfectly “aligned with Anheuser-Busch” in many ways. The deal stands.
Copyright 2023, RepublicanReport.org
