The trend of professional athletes endorsing CBD is growing rapidly. Bubba Watson, 12-time PGA tournament winner and two time Masters Tournament champion is the latest to join the CBD industry.
This week, Watson announced that he agreed to a multi-year contract with cbdMD. The company’s logo will appear on Watson’s hat as he plays in PGA events. Watson will debut his new hat at the PGA Championship at Bethpage Black. He will also participate in other marketing efforts on behalf cbdMD.
“I’ve personally felt the benefits of cbdMD’s products,” Watson said in a statement. “cbdMD is the safest on the market and I am proud to partner with them to help millions feel better.”
Like many others in professional sports, Watson is seeking to extend his playing career and feels the pain management and the recovery potential of CBD could help him.
“I see Phil Mickelson winning at 48, so I’ve got at least eight more years of having a shot of winning some tournaments,” Watson said according to CNN.
The PGA is taking a bit of a skeptical approach to its players using CBD and seems concerned with the available products on the market.
“CBD in its pure form is not prohibited,” executive director of the PGA Tour’s Anti-Doping Program told Golf Digest. “But the use of CBD in any of its currently available forms would be at a player’s own risk.”
According to CNN, the PGA issued a warning to all of its players. “As with all supplements, the PGA Tour warns players who inquire about CBD products that there is no guarantee a supplement contains what is listed on the label, therefore there is a risk that a supplement may contain a prohibited substance,” the warning read.
cbdMD produces CBD oils, tinctures, topicals, and other products. The deal represents a big opportunity to market their product to a national television audience.
“By joining forces with one of the biggest names in the sport, we’re excited to see how the golf community embraces the newfound popularity of CBD,” said Caryn Dunayer, president of cbdMD according to Golf Digest. “We’re looking forward to the continued success of Bubba, while educating the public on the many benefits of hemp-derived CBD.”
It has been an eventful week for cbdMD. The company announced a similar partnership with BIG3, a new professional basketball league that also has games televised to a national audience.