Michelob ULTRA Shows Pickleball’s Appeal: Michelob ULTRA’s Super Bowl LIX commercial features pickleball, showcasing the sport’s rapid growth and popularity. This marks the second consecutive year that pickleball has been highlighted during the Super Bowl. The 60-second advertisement includes famous actors, sports stars, and professional pickleball players.
The commercial, which airs during the biggest sporting event of the year, follows actors Willem Dafoe and Catherine O’Hara as they challenge players in a series of games for Michelob ULTRA beer. The pair eventually faces pickleball athletes Jaume Martinez Vich and Emily Cederquist, who are playing the sport with a cooler full of beers. Dafoe and O’Hara win the match, securing the cooler as their prize.
Pickleball Players in the Spotlight
Along with Dafoe and O’Hara, professional pickleball players Hunter Johnson, Parris Todd, and Cederquist also appear in the ad. Cederquist, a member of Major League Pickleball’s (MLP) Atlanta Bouncers, expressed excitement about being part of the commercial.
“I am someone who watches the Super Bowl every year because I’m a big sports fan, but also because the commercials during that game are objectively better than normal. To think I got to be even a small part of a commercial, with a company who is extremely well-known, is one of the coolest things I’ve ever been a part of.” – (Cederquist)
Johnson, who appeared in the ad alongside his mixed doubles partner, was equally thrilled.
“Having the opportunity to film for the Michelob ULTRA Super Bowl commercial was such a fun and unique experience. Being able to do it alongside my girlfriend and mixed doubles partner was even more of a blessing. Pickleball is growing at such a rapid pace around the world, and to be a part of a commercial that showcases the inclusiveness of a sport for all ages, speaks volumes to the growth and playability of this amazing industry.” – (Johnson)
“The fact that the four of us, as current pro players, get to represent pickleball and collaborate with one of the biggest sporting events in the world, shows that pickleball is stronger than ever and here to stay.” – (Johnson)
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The Commercial’s Role in Promoting Pickleball
The commercial highlights pickleball’s inclusiveness and its growing popularity across all ages. Michelob ULTRA’s decision to feature pickleball during the Super Bowl is a significant step in the sport’s rise to mainstream recognition. The ad reaches millions of viewers, giving pickleball even more exposure on the global stage.
Cederquist also noted the significance of being involved in a commercial watched by millions of people.
“I’m sure many people think it would be cool to be in a commercial, but never would you expect it to actually happen. To know that everyone I know will probably be watching the game – even if it is just for the commercials – and I can point out that I was actually IN the commercial, is so surreal. It’s the coolest fun fact I’ll ever have in my life.” – (Cederquist)
Pickleball’s Continued Rise in Popularity
Michelob ULTRA’s ad is part of a larger effort to showcase pickleball’s appeal to a broad audience. The sport continues to grow rapidly, and this commercial is another example of how pickleball is gaining attention from big brands and major events.
Pickleball athletes such as Cederquist and Johnson represent the future of the sport, demonstrating its appeal to seasoned professionals and newcomers.
News in Brief: Michelob ULTRA Shows Pickleball’s Appeal
Pickleball was featured in a Michelob ULTRA commercial during Super Bowl LIX, marking its second consecutive year in the event. The ad starred Willem Dafoe, Catherine O’Hara, and professional pickleball players, including Emily Cederquist and Hunter Johnson. The commercial highlights the sport’s rapid growth and broad appeal.
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