As the US women’s water polo team gears up for their pursuit of a historic fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal, they have an unexpected supporter in their corner: Flavor Flav. The 65-year-old rapper and founding member of hip-hop group Public Enemy has taken on the role of the team’s hype man, a move that has brought a unique and energetic boost to their Olympic campaign.
From TV To Paris
Flavor Flav—real name William Jonathan Drayton Jr.—shared his excitement about being part of the Olympics for the first time. “This is quite an experience for me right now,” he said, sharing that his only previous exposure to the Games has been on television.
The partnership began in May when team captain Maggie Steffens reached out on Instagram seeking financial support for the team. Flav’s response was more than just a donation; he signed a five-year sponsorship deal with both the US women’s and men’s water polo teams to elevate their profile.
Boosting Visibility
Flav’s sponsorship aims to enhance the visibility of water polo in the US, a sport that often struggles for attention. His involvement includes not only financial support but also appearances at USA Water Polo events to draw more focus to the sport.
Steffens expressed deep gratitude for Flav’s contribution, noting his genuine interest in promoting women’s sports. “Flavor Flav saw that, and something about it sparked his interest,” she said. “He has really opened the door for people to learn about our team.”
Enthusiastic Participation
In Paris, Flav has embraced his role with enthusiasm. Easily recognizable in a Team USA jersey and swim cap, he has been a constant presence around town. His support also extended to arranging for the team to attend a Taylor Swift concert, and he participated in a video with the team—even scoring a goal in the pool. “I tell everybody I was in the water for seven minutes, treading water for seven minutes, and boy, that was the hardest seven minutes of my life!” Flav said.
Breaking The Mold
Flavor Flav’s involvement with the water polo team stands out in the realm of Olympic sponsorships, which are usually dominated by multinational corporations. Flav’s role highlights his sincere commitment to supporting women in sports. “Everybody wants to feel like they got their back covered,” he said. “When they feel that, it makes them feel more powerful. It gives them a lot more energy to go out and get that fourth gold medal.”
References:
TODAY: How Flavor Flav became Team USA water polo’s official hype man
The Guardian: How ‘girl dad’ Flavor Flav became hype man for the US women’s water polo team
Team USA
USA Water Polo
