Israel Adesanya Monster Energy Drink Comments: When a BMX Champ Cited Religious Reasons in Departure from Monster Energy Sponsorship

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Israel Adesanya Monster Energy Drink Comments: When a BMX Champ Cited Religious Reasons in Departure from Monster Energy Sponsorship

Israel Adesanya fired at Sean Strickland during the UFC 293 presser for signing a deal with Monster Energy Drink: a brand often alleged by believers to be “Satanic”.

Israel Adesanya China
Feb 9, 2019; Melbourne, Australia; Israel Adesanya (red gloves) gestures to Anderson Silva (blue gloves) during UFC 234 at Rod Laver Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasmin Frank-USA TODAY Sports

In a surprising turn of events back in November 2017, BMX champion Colton Satterfield made a significant decision that sent shockwaves through the world of extreme sports. The two-time X-Games gold medalist announced his departure from Monster Energy, a major energy drink sponsor, and attributed this move to religious reasons.

Satterfield’s decision to part ways with Monster Energy stemmed from his recent conversion to Mormonism. In a heartfelt statement, he expressed his deep-seated concerns about the energy drink company’s logo and advertising, describing the choice as a weighty one. He acknowledged that what might seem trivial to some, such as logos and marketing, had become a divisive issue for him. Although he didn’t go into specifics regarding the aspects of Monster Energy’s branding that troubled him, he firmly believed that it was the right decision for his spiritual journey.

During his statement, Satterfield conveyed his gratitude to Monster Energy for their longstanding support of action sports and his own career. He recognized the pivotal role the company played in the world of extreme sports, providing not only financial backing but also crucial support to athletes in various ways. However, he emphasized that certain elements of Monster Energy’s marketing and logos, which were intended to exude an edgy image, were no longer in alignment with his newfound faith.

More about BMX champion Colton Satterfield’s reasoning

In a subsequent, more extensive statement, Satterfield elaborated on the pivotal role his conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ and the Latter-day Saints (LDS) had played in his decision. He spoke of his commitment to living a righteous life before God and explained that some of Monster Energy’s marketing and logos no longer resonated with his spiritual journey. He passionately declared his newfound belief in the authenticity and completeness of the LDS gospel, a faith he once would have dismissed.

Satterfield’s departure from Monster Energy was not entirely unprecedented. The energy drink company had faced criticism from some Christians in the past who believed that their logo had sinister undertones. A theory emerged that the logo resembled the Hebrew letter for ‘6,’ leading to associations with the number ‘666,’ often considered a symbol of the devil according to the Book of Revelation. However, experts in linguistics debunked this interpretation, highlighting its linguistic inaccuracy.

Part 2: Satterfield’s Departure and Reflections on Monster Energy’s Advertising

Satterfield’s departure from Monster Energy also raised questions about the company’s advertising practices. Although the specific aspects of their marketing that troubled him remained unclear, one particular advertisement from 2014 had garnered attention. This ad featured the slogan “Unleash the Beast” and showed a nerdy character drinking Monster Energy in an elevator with two larger individuals. When the elevator doors opened, the nerdy character exited unscathed while the others were sprawled on the floor.

Satterfield’s decision to walk away from Monster Energy underscored the profound impact that personal beliefs could have on athletes and their sponsorships. It was a testament to the power of faith and how it could lead individuals to reevaluate their associations, even in the world of professional sports.

In his closing remarks, Satterfield encouraged others to approach matters of spirituality with an open mind and humility, emphasizing the transformative potential of faith. His journey served as a reminder that personal convictions could influence significant decisions, even within the context of professional sports and sponsorship deals. The BMX champion’s departure from Monster Energy marked a unique chapter in the history of extreme sports, where faith and personal values intersected with the world of high-stakes sponsorships.

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