American rapper Flavor Flav has inked a five-year deal with USA Water Polo to become the official hype man of the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National water polo teams.
The agreement comes after it was announced in May that Flavor Flav would be sponsoring the U.S. women’s team in their pursuit of a fourth straight Olympic title in Paris.
USA Water Polo said the deal “marks a unique fusion of music, entertainment, and sports, aiming to elevate the visibility and excitement surrounding water polo in the United States.”
Flavor Flav’s contribution to the women’s national team was part of the sponsorship, though specific numbers were not disclosed.
One of the founding members of the hip-hop group Public Enemy, Flav is also reportedly gifting a Virgin Voyages cruise and pledging $1,000 to each member of the women’s team.
@rockhall of Famer, @FlavorFlav, hype man for @PublicEnemyFTP signs a five year sponsorship deal to be the men’s and women’s US Water Polo (@USAWP) hype man. He is also gifting a @VirginVoyages cruise plus $1000 per player. #sportbusiness #OlympicGames
— Arman P. Medina (@ArmanPMedina) July 2, 2024
As the official hype man, his role will include multiple appearances annually at USA Water Polo events, along with social media collaborations, leveraging Flavor Flav’s “influential presence to amplify the sport’s reach and engage new audiences.”
“I realize how unexpected this partnership is,” said Michaela Spector, Director of Marketing, USA Water Polo. “Flavor Flav’s star power and passion for supporting athletes will bring a new level of excitement and visibility to water polo. We are thrilled to welcome him to the USA Water Polo family.”
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Flav, 65, has more than 455,000 followers on Instagram, with various sources reporting his net worth being from anywhere between $2 million and $9 million (USD).
He is best known as a member of Public Enemy, which has received six Grammy Award nominations and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.
“Supporting USA Water Polo teams is an honor,” said Flavor Flav. “As a girl dad and a champion of all sports, I’m excited to bring my energy and voice to this incredible sport. Niche sports often don’t get the spotlight they deserve, but they are packed with incredible talent and heart. Together, we’re going to make some serious waves!”
The U.S. has won three straight Olympic gold medals in women’s water polo and has never finished outside the podium, winning silver in 2000, bronze in 2004, silver in 2008 and then reeling off victories in London, Rio and Tokyo.
The men’s team has never won gold at the Games and last reached the podium in Beijing, winning silver. In Tokyo, the men placed 6th.
Combining a pop rapper and water polo is an amazing duo!
Never would I think this would happen!
Is the name on the “contract” actually officially Flavor Flav? Because that would be dope.
About time, as we all say coming and have discussed this at length.
Never in a million years would I imagine that the words in the headline would ever be in a sentence together
“Niche sports often don’t get the spotlight they deserve, but they are packed with incredible talent and heart.”
Yes. And thank you. I don’t play water polo, but this is cool news!
My homeboy from Roosevelt Long Island represent
“Black is back, all in, we’re gonna win
Check it out, yeah y’all c’mon, here we go again
Turn it up! Bring the noise!
Turn it up! Bring the noise!”
– Public Enemy
Like politics, money makes strange bedfellows.
This is a good thing don’t get me wrong but it sure goes in the “Random news of the day” category.