RAPPER FLAVOR FLAV SPONSORS U.S. WOMAN WATERPOLO TEAM TO COMPETE AT OLYMPICS
Maggie Steffens, a member of the U.S. women's water polo team, posted about a very genuine situation on Instagram in May. She wrote, "Some may not know this, but most Olympians—including myself—need a second (or third) job to support chasing the dream!" The athlete also mentioned how most depend on sponsors for their food, lodging, and transportation. "This support impacts our sport more than most and means everything to us." Rapper Flavor Flav, an unlikely figure, intervened and gave his full support, even though many people could relate to the message.
The musician quickly responded to Steffens' post after becoming well-known as a member of Public Enemy. "I'll personally sponsor you, my girl, whatever you need, as a girl dad and supporter of all women's sports," he said in the comments. "Your agent and my manager are in contact, and I'm going to use all of my connections and resources to help all of you even more. That's a promise from FLAVOR FLAV.
And he fulfilled his promise. A few weeks later, the rapper and the men's and women's teams inked a five-year sponsorship agreement with the goal of "raising the awareness and excitement surrounding water polo in the United States."
In addition to making an undisclosed financial contribution, Flavor Flav has promised to participate in USA Water Polo events and spread awareness of the sport. Flavor Flav said to NBC Olympics, "I never in my life, honestly, ever thought of me sponsoring a United States Olympic team." Outside of the other musical achievements I've made, I won't lie: I feel that doing this is one of the biggest things I could have ever done in my life. This goes beyond my Grammy win because I'm supporting these girls and sponsoring a water polo team.
Now that the group is participating in the Olympics in Paris in 2024, Flavor Flav has assumed the position of "official hype man." He has shown his unwavering support for the team by loudly attending the games and proudly sporting a polo cap in Team USA's colours. The rapper has also been spotted cheering on other sportsmen in Paris, like the rugby sevens team.
Flavor Flav says, "I think what I'm doing right now is huge and nobody else is doing it or done it."
“Usually, I’m known to be the first to do something and everybody else follows my trends. So I’m hoping that this will be a trend that a lot of people will follow because I think it’s a really good thing. Come and step up and sponsor some of these teams.”