During the 2023-2024 NBA season, Anthony Edwards became one of basketball’s most talked-about players, according to Sports Illustrated. His unique blend of swagger and skill captivated fans, helping his debut shoe, the AE1, sell out immediately. Edwards’ confident southern charm quickly made him one of the league’s most marketable young stars, prompting several brands to line up for partnerships.
One notable collaboration was with Sprite, the beverage giant known for its deep ties to hip-hop culture and the NBA. Sprite tapped Edwards as the new face of its Winter Spiced Cranberry campaign. Rebranded as “Anta Claus,” Edwards took over the commercial spotlight once held by LeBron James.
In the 60-second ad, Edwards delivers Sprite Cranberry to holiday parties in a flying convertible pulled by “eight tiny wolfdeer,” a playful nod to his Minnesota Timberwolves roots. The campaign, narrated by rapper Monaleo, marked the second collaboration between Sprite and Edwards since 2022.
### Fans Launch Petition to Bring Back “LeKing”
Despite the campaign’s creativity, not everyone is thrilled. Many fans are calling for a nostalgic return to the LeBron era and have made their voices heard. A viral petition titled “Make LeBron the Face of Sprite Cranberry Again” surfaced on iPetitions, quickly collecting over 1,500 signatures and hundreds of comments.
The petition’s creator, Robert Prince, was blunt in his message: “We will not stand for Anthony Edwards being the face of Sprite Cranberry. We need LeBron back and NOW.”
The comments reflect a wave of nostalgia from fans who still associate the drink with LeBron’s iconic “Wanna Sprite Cranberry?” ad.
“We need the King,” wrote one supporter named Trevon. Another user, Liam Tarrant, added, “I love LeBron and Sprite Cranberry!” Others brought humor to the conversation with comments like “I miss you lepookie” and “Bring back leking.”
The tone of the petition is both playful and passionate, as fans remember the cultural impact of LeBron’s holiday commercials. His animated likeness holding a bottle of Sprite Cranberry became an instantly recognizable image, inspiring memes and remixes that continue to circulate today.
### Why Fans Still Connect Sprite Cranberry With LeBron
LeBron’s connection to the drink runs deeper than advertising. His original campaign aired during his peak Cleveland Cavaliers days, and the ad’s catchy delivery made Sprite Cranberry a cultural holiday staple. The question “Wanna Sprite Cranberry?” became a yearly signal that the holiday season had arrived.
Now that Sprite is spotlighting a new generation of athletes, many fans find it hard to let go. Anthony Edwards may represent the future, but LeBron’s campaign defined an era.
Across social media and the petition’s comment section, one phrase keeps appearing: “It’s not Sprite Cranberry without LeBron.”
Whether Sprite decides to respond remains uncertain. What is clear is that nostalgia for the original holiday campaign is alive and well. Fans are showing that their love for LeBron’s version of “Sippin’ Season” is far from over.
https://clutchpoints.com/celebrity/viral-petition-demands-lebron-james-return-as-face-of-sprite-cranberry-to-replace-anthony-edwards
