Monster Energy has renewed its sponsorship deal with UFC fighter Conor McGregor, who has been part of the brand's MMA efforts since '15. The deal will see the energy drink's logo on McGregor's shorts for his Aug. 26 fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr., as well as his next UFC title defense. Coinciding with the renewal, Monster Energy has shot a new 30-second spot that will run on TV and various digital platforms, including monsterenergy.com (Monster Energy). In London, Luke Brown noted McGregor is "expected to sign a raft of new sponsorship deals on the back of participating" in the Mayweather fight. McGregor has "posted pictures on his social media feeds showing him wearing Nike training equipment, increasing speculation he could announce another lucrative sponsorship deal" in the days ahead of the bout. Beats by Dre, Reebok and Bud Light join Monster Energy as McGregor sponsors (INDEPENDENT.co.uk, 8/15).
MONEY MAKES THE WORLD GO 'ROUND: Mayweather appeared on ABC's “Jimmy Kimmel Live” last night, with the host noting Mayweather is returning to the ring in the “unlikeliest matchup since Batman versus Superman.” Kimmel: “They’re saying this is going to be the biggest fight of all-time. Do you think it will be?” Mayweather: “At the pace right now that we're going, it's going to be bigger than the (Manny) Pacquiao fight (in '15)." He added, "I feel like I owe the fans. Since me and Pacquiao didn't give the fans a blockbuster, me and McGregor should give the fans a blockbuster.” Mayweather said of McGregor, “I don't like him at all.” But he added, “If the payday is there and the fans want to see it, then we're going to make it happen.” Kimmel said of the possible $350M payday for Mayweather, “I know you love money.” Mayweather: “It's cool, it's cool.” Mayweather noted at one time he owned a Brinks truck to carry his cash around, but he sold it to “another guy who loved money” (“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC, 8/15).
