The USC Trojans have announced a first-of-its-kind partnership with Cookies, a cannabis and wellness company.
Cookies is based in California and will partner with the football team, as well as the men’s and women’s basketball teams.
Business Wire reported the partnership on Wednesday and included a statement from rapper Berner, the CEO and co-founder of Cookies.
“Cookies is thrilled to be a sponsor of USC Athletics for the upcoming 2024/2025 season. California is our home state, and for Cookies to be involved with a premier athletic program in the oldest private college in the state of California is incredibly exciting for us. We are honored and excited to be a sponsor and Trojans supporter alongside other globally recognized brands. Fight on!” Berner said.
As noted, this marks the first partnership between a cannabis company and a college athletic department and could open the door for more opportunities in the future, especially in one of the 24 states that have legalized recreational marijuana usage.
The NCAA removed cannabis from its banned substance list earlier this year, stating the list is intended for performance-enhancing drugs only.
The release also notes that Cookies will sponsor “promotional items and on-site tailgates” at select USC events in the 2024-25 season, as well as sponsorships on USC’s digital and social media platforms.
USC is on a bye week and returns to action next week when they head to Ann Arbor to face Michigan in the Trojans’ first-ever Big Ten football game.
