The No. 4 Florida Gators are taking on No. 15 East Tennessee State in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament at the Amway Arena in Orlando, Fla. On the sidelines, there are jugs of Powerade for players and coaches to drink. You might be wondering why this is a big deal, but here’s the thing: the University of Florida invented Gatorade, and the Gator athletic teams have an official sponsorship with the sports drink.
Why Florida, the birthplace of Gatorade, drinks from Powerade cups at the NCAA Tournament
This is a bit awkward.
Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images
Morgan Moriarty, SB Nation
You see, this all boils down to the whole sponsorship aspect of the NCAA, and the NCAA Tournament. Coca-Cola is an official sponsor of the NCAA Tournament, and Coca-Cola owns Powerade, the inferior, not-as-tasty little brother to Gatorade (that’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it, don’t @ me.)
Last year, we saw Florida faced with the same dilemma in the tournament — but that didn’t stop the Gators from drinking Gatorade. Not only did they drink it, they even were blatant enough to just drink it straight out of Powerade bottles.
Now, SB Nation has tried to confirm if Florida, staying true to being the school that invented Gatorade, is actually drinking Powerade, but a source close to the program told us that it is likely water, since the strength coach doesn’t like either sports drink.
The other factor here is the cups, yes cups, that the NCAA sponsors during the tournament. Media members who cover the tournament are prohibited from drinking out of anything other than the official NCAA cups.
Florida led by just one point at halftime, so maybe it’s time to get some Gatorade in those cups, but that’s just me.
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