Varon Corp (OTCID:OZSC)'s joint venture Ballislife has added NBA player Coby White as a brand ambassador and equity partner for Ballislife Drink, expanding its roster of NBA athlete partners.
Ballislife Drink said its athlete partnerships are structured as equity arrangements rather than traditional endorsement agreements, with the aim of aligning players' long-term interests with the brand's growth.
White, who began his NBA career with the Chicago Bulls and now plays for the Charlotte Hornets, was described by the company as fitting its focus on performance, authenticity and basketball culture. Ballislife also cited his charitable work supporting underserved youth as aligning with its grassroots basketball initiatives.
"Our story with Coby is a full-circle moment," Ballislife CEO Matt Rodriguez said. "Our team member, Webb Wellman, started covering Coby when he was in high school in North Carolina. We watched him dominate in college. Then he got drafted seventh overall in 2019 to Chicago. Now we get to create a drink with him. How awesome is that? This is another chapter in the story we're continuing to write."
Benjamin Schubert, Varon's CEO, said White's addition supports the company's expansion strategy. "He's earned the respect of the basketball community through his work ethic, consistency, and professionalism, and those are the qualities Ballislife HYDRO stands for," Schubert said.
"As we continue expanding into key basketball markets, partnering with athletes who genuinely represent the culture isn't just part of our strategy—it's one of our biggest competitive advantages."
CFO Lior Srulovicz added the company views the partnership as part of its long-term brand-building strategy.
"Every athlete we bring into Ballislife Drink has to make sense strategically," Srulovicz said. "Coby strengthens our presence in one of basketball's most influential markets while reinforcing the authentic connection between the product, the athlete, and the Ballislife community. That's what makes this model different. We're not simply paying for endorsements—we're building long-term partners who can help grow the brand alongside us."
According to the announcement, the partnership marks continued progress at Varon's United States subsidiary, Varon USA, as the companies work to complete customary pre-closing conditions related to Varon's previously announced transaction with OZOP Energy Solutions.
Shares of OZOP were up nearly 13% on Thursday morning.