Spindrift Partners with Patricof Co, Welcoming Star Athletes as New Investors in Landmark Deal

Spindrift Beverage Co. Inc., the pioneer of sparkling water made with real squeezed fruit, today announced a landmark partnership with Patricof Co, bringing a high-profile roster of professional athletes on board as investors. This marks the first time Spindrift has aligned with a major athlete investment group, signifying a powerful fusion of sports, wellness, and entrepreneurship.

The deal, made possible through Patricof Co’s collaboration with private equity firm Gryphon Investors, grants select athletes ownership stakes in Spindrift, further deepening their relationship with the brand they already admire and consume.

The new investors include:

• Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman’s 35V

• NFL star DK Metcalf

• 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Champion Azzi Fudd

• Boston Celtics guard Derrick White

• MLS All-Star Maarten Paes

• WNBA standout Sophie Cunningham

• Award-winning gymnast and influencer Livvy Dunne

A Partnership Built on Authenticity

“This partnership is rooted in authenticity,” said Dave Burwick, CEO of Spindrift. “These athletes discovered Spindrift on their own, and were drawn to our commitment to real ingredients and doing things the hard way. Just like we carefully craft our sparkling water with real squeezed fruit, they’re intentional about the quality of what they use to fuel their performance. That shared mindset has naturally evolved into a business opportunity, and it’s a powerful endorsement of what we’re building.”

Spindrift, known for disrupting the beverage category with its no-sugar-added, fruit-forward sparkling drinks, has long attracted a loyal following among health-conscious consumers. The new athlete partnership is a natural next step, connecting elite competitors with a brand that mirrors their performance-driven, clean-living lifestyles.

Strategic Synergy with Patricof Co

Patricof Co, an investment and advisory platform focused on elite athletes, has a strong track record of aligning athletes with mission-driven companies. This latest collaboration reinforces that approach.

“This came together organically as the athletes know and really love the product,” said Mark Patricof, founder of Patricof Co. “It aligns perfectly with how they live and what they care about, so no surprise. PCO and our clients are genuinely excited to be part of what’s next for Spindrift.”

For the athletes, the partnership represents more than a business move—it’s personal.

“Spindrift checks all the boxes I’ve been looking for, and I’m just excited to be a part of it,” said Derrick White, fresh off an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics. “My parents brought it home one day and we all became fans right away. It offers something different, something fresh, and I know when I reach for it, I’m making a healthy choice. So when the opportunity came up to invest in a brand I already love and trust, it felt like the perfect fit.”

Connecting Fans and Athletes Through Content

To celebrate the partnership, Spindrift is rolling out a short-form video series on social platforms. The campaign features the athlete investors participating in blind taste tests of Spindrift’s unique flavors, culminating in each one building their own “starting lineup” of favorite flavors—including a surprise gag pick.

The videos emphasize the brand’s difference—real fruit, not just flavoring—and spotlight the athletes’ natural connections to the product through humor, familiarity, and heartfelt testimonials.

Azzi Fudd, the NCAA’s Most Outstanding Player, summed it up: “I’ve always loved Spindrift. It’s full of flavor, better for you, and fits right into my routine as an athlete. When you believe in a brand and actually like what it stands for, you know it’s worth being part of.”

A Fresh Chapter for Spindrift

This partnership reflects Spindrift’s growing momentum in the beverage space and its alignment with a new generation of consumers—and now, investors—who demand authenticity, wellness, and flavor. With the backing of Patricof Co and a dynamic group of athlete-owners, the brand is poised to further disrupt the category and expand its reach across sports, culture, and beyond.

As Burwick puts it: “When world-class athletes say Spindrift is part of their daily lives, that’s more than validation. It’s inspiration for what comes next.”