Buffalo Wild Wings and Mtn Dew Legend recruited basketball superstars Klay Thompson and A’ja Wilson to surprise local communities in San Francisco, CA and Columbia, SC, with refurbished basketball courts ahead of the holiday season. In partnership with nonprofit Project Backboard, this all-star team worked with local artists to build fun and inspiring places for youth athletes to grow their love for the game.
“Having an inspiring place to play is important to any athlete, which is why partnering with Buffalo Wild Wings and Mtn Dew Legend to revamp this court for the community has been so rewarding,” says Thompson. “San Francisco has become my home and I care about this community deeply –I cannot wait to see the future legends that will dominate the game on this new court.”
Simultaneously, across the country on November 12, power forward A’ja Wilson visited her hometown of Columbia, SC to unveil a new community court at Hyatt Park. The 2X MVP and 4X All-Star addressed the crowd and performed a ceremonial “first layup” on the revamped court designed by local artists, Charmaine Minniefield and Cienna Minniefield.
“Growing up in South Carolina and having a space to call my ‘home court’ has shaped me into the person and athlete that I am today,” adds A’ja Wilson. “I chose to upgrade the basketball court at Hyatt Park, near my grandparents’ house, to provide this incredible community with a space for the next generation of legends to play and perfect their craft. I’m grateful to partner with Buffalo Wild Wings and Mtn Dew Legend to give back to the place that has given me so much.”
“Our partnership with Buffalo Wild Wings is all about celebrating sports and creating incredible experiences for the fans that love them,” says Scott Finlow, Chief Marking Officer, PepsiCo Global Foodservice. “This community effort was a big win for us. It was an honor to partner with Buffalo Wild Wings and basketball legends, Klay and A’ja, to create something special for these communities and support these local athletes as they make legendary moves on and off the court.”
“Whether watching or playing sports, we understand that the environment can sometimes make or break the experience,” says Stuart Brown, Executive Director of Buffalo Wild Wings Foundation. “It’s our hope that by reimagining these courts with Mtn Dew Legend and two legendary basketball players, we’re fueling the champions of the next generation.”
The refurbished courts at KIPP San Francisco College Preparatory in San Francisco, CA and Hyatt Park in Columbia, SC are officially open and ready for the legends of tomorrow to make their mark. Fans can stay up to date on the latest by following @BWW and @MountainDew on Twitter and Instagram.
This court refurbishing program is an extension of the longstanding relationship between Buffalo Wild Wings and PepsiCo. Earlier this year, the pair unveiled Mtn Dew Legend, a new, exclusive flavor of Mtn Dew that delivers a bold burst of blackberry flavor and serves as the perfect assist to Buffalo Wild Wings’ extensive menu of gameday favorites.
