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Patrick Mahomes’ new brand partnership has some bite.
After years of fan theories and speculation online that Mahomes uses Invisalign—with internet sleuths suspecting the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback was seen chewing on an Invisalign on the sidelines—Mahomes is finally setting the record (and his chompers) straight: He is an Invisalign user.
And the QB is doing so while also announcing a new partnership with Invisalign.
“After many years of speculation, I figured it was finally time to set the record straight, and many of you were right … I am a proud user of Invisalign,” Mahomes said. “As an athlete, I’m always focused on optimizing my performance and health, so when it came time for me to choose how to improve my smile, it was clear that Invisalign aligners were the right choice for me over traditional braces. I’m excited to officially join Team Invisalign.”
Mahomes joins the “Invisalign Smile Squad” as an ambassador for the brand in a multi-year agreement. As part of the Invisalign team, Mahomes will share his treatment experience with fans in a multi-channel campaign.
“The Invisalign Smile Squad was created to help consumers better understand the complete Invisalign treatment experience in a very real and relatable way,” noted Kamal Bhandal, Align Technology vice president, global brand and Americas marketing. “We are thrilled to welcome Patrick Mahomes to the squad to share his unique journey with his fans.”
Of course, the QB’s other team, the Chiefs, have a major battle against the Houston Texans this weekend on their journey to a potentially third straight Super Bowl. But before that game kicks off on Saturday, Mahomes exclusively spoke to ADWEEK about taking on a different opponent: crooked smiles.
ADWEEK: Patrick, as you’ve said, your use of Invisalign has been speculated on for a long time now. Why is now the right time to address the rumors, and how did the partnership come together?
It’s funny how much speculation there’s been about something as simple as my aligners. Invisalign is a product that has made a real difference for me personally, and I wanted to pass that along to others, so the partnership came together pretty naturally. I’ve been using their product for a while because it’s helped me feel more confident without it being too noticeable or affecting my day-to-day routine. When we started talking, it just made sense to team up and share that story. It’s great to work with a brand that aligns with who I am and helps me inspire others to feel good about themselves, too.
You obviously have several brand partnerships: State Farm, Adidas, and Subway, to name a few. What do you look for in partner brands?
Authenticity, first and foremost. Also, if it’s a brand or product that I already use and have a connection with outside of football.
How do your partnerships all work together? Is it ever cumbersome to remove your Invisalign to eat Subway, for example?
That’s the ultimate multitasking question right there! Honestly, it’s all about balance. I’ve got a system down—pop out the Invisalign, take a bite of the sandwich, and then brush up so I don’t upset my dentist.
The Invisalign rumor was one that’s been circulating for a while. Are there any other wild or fun rumors you’ve read about yourself that you can set the record straight?
I try not to pay much attention to rumors about me; however, I did find the rumor that I put ketchup on cereal to be wild! I can confirm that I do not put ketchup on my cereal.
Lastly, out of all your potential sponsorships, why did this Invisalign partnership have a lot of teeth to it?
The Invisalign partnership just made sense because it’s something I actually use every day and believe in. This partnership definitely has teeth to it because it’s about confidence, and that’s something everyone deserves to feel—on and off the field. We’re also excited to do some great work together as well as partnering with my foundation, 15 and the Mahomies Foundation.
