partnerships

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SAN ANTONIO (March 31, 2023) –&nbsp;The San Antonio Spurs today announced NERD Focus as the official energy drink partner of the Spurs and AT&T Center. The nootropics infused energy drink was originally founded by a University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) student in 2006 and it will now be sold throughout AT&T Center at all in-arena events. Fans will also get to visit the newly branded NERD Focus Drink MKT that is open at Section 122 and features the latest NERD flavors.

NERD built its early following through distribution across Texas college and university campuses. The drink has distinguished itself from competitors in the energy drink field with its proprietary formula that relies on smarter and safer ingredients to support mental acuity and focus.

“We welcome the opportunity to partner with a cutting-edge brand like NERD Focus that aligns with our organization’s commitment to innovation and excellence,” said Katrina Palanca, VP of Global Partnerships for Spurs Sports & Entertainment. “Rooted in San Antonio, both the Spurs and NERD represent the potential for growth and success on a global scale. We’re excited to see how their superior product will ignite the fan experience at Spurs games and all AT&T Center events for many seasons to come.”

“As a brand that was founded in San Antonio, Texas, we couldn’t be more excited to be partnering up with the San Antonio Spurs. To be the Official Energy Drink of a world-class organization in the same city where “The Original Think Drink” was formulated is just awesome!” says&nbsp;Beverage USA Co-Founder, Rocco LaVista. He continues, “We have a lot of loyal NERD Focus consuming Spurs fans in San Antonio. We’re really proud to be able to announce this partnership.”&nbsp;

The NERD Drink MKT features seamless contactless mobile payment technology that allows fans to make their purchases through the Spurs app. Fans of the energy drink can look forward to seeing many NERD in-game promotions, activations and free merchandise and apparel giveaways next Spurs season. The partnership will also include various TV and arena branding signage displays as well as a NERD presence on the Spurs social media accounts.&nbsp;

In 2006, a student at the University of Texas at San Antonio on the path to med school witnessed his colleagues rely on highly caffeinated energy drinks with potentially dangerous ingredients to increase mental stamina and focus. With the help of his professors, they created a “Think Drink” and within weeks, had students lining up outside of his campus apartment to purchase his new drink – NERD Focus. NERD™ became established and began selling on college campuses in Texas directly to students, building a grassroots network of distributors and fans. After creating a very loyal following at Texas universities and local retailers, NERD™ was acquired by Beverage USA in 2020 to invest into scaling the beverage brand nationwide. For more information about NERD Focus, visit&nbsp;NERDFocus.com&nbsp;and follow us on&nbsp;Facebook,&nbsp;Twitter, and&nbsp;Instagram.&nbsp;

Spurs Sports & Entertainment (SS&E) is a value-based and community-centric sports and entertainment company that provides premier live and global digital experiences for fans across a portfolio of three teams and two venues – all supported by a passionate staff of more than 1,000 full and part-time employees. SS&E owns and operates the San Antonio Spurs (NBA), Austin Spurs (NBA G League), and San Antonio FC (USL), as well as manages the day-to-day operations of the AT&T Center, Toyota Field and STAR Complex. The SS&E investor group is led by Managing Partner Peter J. Holt.

san-antonio-spurs-announce-nerd-focus-as-official-energy-drink-partner

SAN ANTONIO SPURS ANNOUNCE NERD FOCUS AS OFFICIAL ENERGY DRINK PARTNER

SAN ANTONIO (March 29, 2023)&nbsp;– The San Antonio Spurs teamed up with Ashley to donate and deliver brand-new furniture to Youth Center of Texas (YCOT), a residential facility providing holistic support to survivors of child sex trafficking yesterday, March 28. Earlier this month, YCOT staff hand-selected the furniture with their residents’ needs in mind during a shopping trip to Ashley, an official Spurs partner. Spurs players Tre Jones and Doug McDermott helped deliver new furniture items including eight beds and mattresses, a kitchen table, dressers and more, and spent the day getting to know the residents. They joined the residents in potting plants and decorating the pots for added decoration throughout the facility.

YCOT was founded in December 2019 to provide a safe transition home to victims of child sex trafficking, many of whom have never had a home. Since its inception, YCOT has successfully provided immediate physical and emotional care for hundreds of survivors, including access to on-site trauma-informed counseling, legal advocacy, case management and financial literacy classes. In 2022 alone, YCOT provided services to more than 100 survivors.

“We are forever grateful to the San Antonio Spurs and Ashley for investing in these young women and their futures and for supporting our vision to end the generational cycle of childhood sexual exploitation by promoting community awareness and collaboration, and to restore hope and dignity for all survivors,” said Adriana McKinnon, President & CEO of YCOT.

As part of the furniture store’s “Purchase with Purpose” program, Ashley is partnering with the Spurs to meet YCOT’s needs. With every purchase made at Ashley, a donation is made to a community organization. The program brings purpose far beyond a simple sofa, bed or room refresh to each customer’s purchase.

“Our commitment to working with partners like the San Antonio Spurs towards well-being for those who need it most is unwavering,” said Meagan Miller, Senior Manager of Experience Marketing at Ashley HomeStore. “It is an honor to work with local charities like YCOT, who are on the frontlines working tirelessly to enhance and strengthen the lives of survivors.”

“The support and services that YCOT provides for its residents is truly awe-inspiring,” said Dr. Kara Allen, Chief Impact Officer for Spurs Sports & Entertainment. “We’re honored that, through our partnership with Ashley, we can champion the work YCOT is leading to protect and empower survivors. We hope the new furniture will help provide a small sense of home and comfort to survivors as they heal within YCOT’s safe spaces.”

Ashley is the nation’s largest supplier and retailer of furniture and mattresses with more than 1,000 retail showrooms worldwide. Like many Ashley locations, the four San Antonio-area locations are independently owned and operated with each store committed to giving back to the communities they serve. Among its national initiatives, Ashley established the Purchase with Purpose program to serve others and support the community at all levels of the organization. Purchase with Purpose creates the feeling of home, empowers worldwide healing, and brings life-changing love and hope to people who truly need it. For many years, Ashley has partnered with sports and community partners to bless people locally and globally. Through our Purchase with Purpose initiative, we want to be a blessing to the community and enact positive change through outreach and service.

We are a family - a team - passionate about sports. We are passionate about what sports can do for our community - especially our youth. At the heart of it, we believe sports can provide a family with a common goal, and a hope for a better future. We are Spurs Give - the official 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization of Spurs Sports & Entertainment. Since our founding in 1988, we have invested $32 million in our community. Through our players' passions, our grants, and our impact programs, we are changing lives and leaving a lasting impact. You give. We give. Spurs Give.&nbsp;

partnerships

SAN ANTONIO SPURS ANNOUNCE NERD FOCUS AS OFFICIAL ENERGY DRINK PARTNER

SAN ANTONIO SPURS AND ASHLEY HOMESTORE DELIVER NEW FURNITURE TO YOUTH CENTER OF TEXAS