Kevin Durant Signs Sponsorship Deal With Beverage Brand Sparkling Ice

Thunder F Kevin Durant yesterday signed a deal to endorse Washington-based Sparkling Ice, a "zero calorie carbonated water drink that is one of the fastest growing beverage brands in the U.S.," according to Darren Rovell of ESPN.com. Durant said, "I've always challenged myself on the basketball court, but this offseason is really the first year I'm challenging myself off of it -- on the business side." Roc Nation Sports President & Chief Strategy Officer Michael Yormark, whose agency reps Durant, said that Sparkling Ice "came up in an initial meeting" with Durant and his agent Rich Kleiman. Yormark added Durant "told us that this brand was already a part of him and he wanted to have an official relationship." Sparkling Ice parent company Talking Rain CEO Kevin Klock said that the plan is to use Durant as the company "begins international expansion outside of the U.S., Canada and Mexico." He also said that the company will use Durant to "get into other segments of the beverage marketplace" (ESPN.com, 7/14).