The Rock picks seven athletes for big-money deal - including basketball star
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has chosen seven leading student athletes - including LSU basketball star Angel Reese - as he launches his annual name, image and likeness (NIL) programme.
Johnson revealed his new NIL programme would be called ‘The Rock’s Warriors’ to help promote his energy drink brand, ZOA Energy. Since July 2021, college athletes have been allowed to sign deals and profit from their name, image and likeness, and for Johnson, it appears an obvious move.
The 51-year-old made a name for himself as a college football star at the University of Miami in the 1990s, playing defensive end for the Hurricanes during their 1991 national championship season. Always on the lookout for a new venture, he has signed seven high-profile college stars to help promote ZOA Energy in the first year of the annual endorsement.
The inaugural class includes Hansel Enmanuel (basketball, Austin Peay State University), Brock Bowers (football, University of Georgia), Marvin Harrison Jr. (football, Ohio State University) Drake Maye (football, University of North Carolina), Kam Kinchens (football, University of Miami), and Amaya Gainer (softball, Florida A&M). Reese is perhaps the biggest name after she led Louisiana State University to its first women’s basketball national title earlier this year, and Johnson is excited for the programme to get underway.
“Through this first-of-its kind NIL expansion programme, ZOA Energy will bring together some of the greatest college athletes of our time,” Johnson, the co-Founder and Chief Energy Officer of ZOA, said. “I know from experience the grit and hard work that’s required of these college athletes to get the job done. Not just during their championship games or in the classrooms, but every day in the game of life.
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“ZOA gives people that power, that unique energy to fuel themselves and fuel others around them – that’s why I’m super pumped about uniting all of The Rock’s Warriors under one roof.”
ZOA’s products include energy drinks and pre-workout supplements, with a focus on high-quality ingredients, natural flavours and natural caffeine from green tea and green coffee. The former WWE star added: “I personally selected these phenomenal individuals because of the energy, tenacity, and excitement they bring to the game. With a diverse set of stories and experiences, they’re driven, hungry, talented, and ready for ZOA to help fuel them to greatness.”
Angel Reese was named the Best Breakthrough Athlete at the ESPY awards last week after leading LSU to NCAA championship glory (Mark Terrill/Invision/AP)The seven athletes are set to be part of an upcoming marketing campaign across social media, while they will also attend various events to promote ZOA. Reese, who is coming off a championship run where she won Most Outstanding Player at the Final Four, is excited to be involved.
“I’m pumped to be a part of such a unique group of athletes, and who better than The Rock to bring us together for a one-of-a-kind opportunity,” the 21-year-old said. “ZOA is all about putting in the work, learning from your wins and losses, and empowering others, something I strive to do every day on and off the court, so it was a no-brainer to join the first class of The Rock’s Warriors.”
Reese is joined by two budding football stars in Maye, the ACC Player of the Year, and Harrison, who was a unanimous All-America selection last season. Both are believed to be first round picks in the 2024 NFL Draft and represent two of the best talents in college football.
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