Father-daughter duo’s brand becomes official energy drink of a WNBA franchise

Meet Jacqui Rice Gold, the co-founder of G.O.A.T. Fuel, an energy drink company. She founded the energy drink with her father, NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, and her husband, Trevion Gold.

The drink, the entrepreneur said, has “integrity,” which means “no sugar, no aspartame, no preservatives, no high fructose corn syrup,” she told Essence. What the drink does have is “natural caffeine, vitamins, BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids) and cordyceps mushrooms,” she said.

Launched in 2020, G.O.A.T. Fuel was the first official energy drink of the Los Angeles Lakers and today, the company has expanded into the WNBA, partnering with the Chicago Sky to become the WNBA team’s first official energy drink.

“Working with the Chicago Sky is a dream for the G.O.A.T. Fuel brand,” Gold shared in a press statement. “As a childhood basketball player, I always admired the excellence, hard work, and determination of those who made it to the WNBA. In addition, as a female CEO, I’m proud to partner with the Chicago SKY, a natural alignment as we share the same values.”

Gold added, “Becoming the official energy drink of the Chicago Sky is a pivotal moment in the G.O.A.T. Fuel journey. Chicago is a storied sports market and had some of the greatest athletes of all time, and now, with the excitement surrounding the WNBA, it’s the perfect time to partner with the Sky.”

G.O.A.T Fuel, as part of the partnership deal, will be part of on-court and fan activations like sweepstakes, giveaways, and samplings, the press statement said.

Commenting on the partnership, Alex Teodosi, Chicago Sky’s vice president of corporate partnerships, said the deal is important to the team.

“Partnering with G.O.A.T. Fuel, a brand that celebrates athletic performance and excellence, is important to us,” said Teodosi. “We are proud to introduce a great product with unique performance benefits to Chicago Sky players and fans.”