NBA Hall of Famer and entrepreneur Chris Webber yesterday announced the launch of his cannabis brand Players Only with his business partner Lavetta Willis.
The upstart brand will have new offerings available for purchase at select Gage and Cookies dispensaries throughout Michigan. The NBA star will also celebrate the unveiling of Players Only with an activation in his hometown of Detroit before expanding the brand to additional markets.
Players Only boasts an array of cannabis products and experiences, including exotic cannabis flower strains, all-natural cannabis oil cartridges, pre-rolls, vapes, sport recovery and performance products, as well as Players Only branded apparel and footwear.
Additionally, the brand is partnering with musicians, entertainers, influencers, legacy cultivators and community organizations on multifaceted collaborations on products and initiatives.
In March 2022, TerrAscend secured exclusive retail rights for Players Only products in Michigan through the acquisition of Gage Growth Corp.
The Players Only brand will launch with Chris Webber's specially selected C4, Time Out and G.O.A.T.'s Milk strains and other exclusive branded strain offerings like Non-Laters and Whipped Cherries; with Blueberry Hotcakes and Ray Jackson's Black Sox.
The brand collaborates with black cultivators and operators, including Hassim Robinson and Winner's Circle Genetics, bringing the famous PB&J strain as well as Quavo's BIRKINZ to the Michigan market.
Detroit's legacy brand "Lil Stupid" will also launch for the first time in the regulated market while legendary Detroit hip-hop artist Royce 5'9" will roll-out his "Heaven" brand as part of an innovative NFT.
A thoughtful partnership with Raekwon from Wu-Tang launches Compliments of the Chef and his partnership with Citizen Grown highlighting their commitment to the community. He is also re-uniting with his former Sacramento Kings teammate Jason Williams to unveil the "White Chocolate" strain.
In addition, Webber recently appointed Matt Barnes, former NBA star and teammate, as Chief Collaborations Officer while launching "The Smoke" with his partner and co-host, Stephen Jackson. The offering's name is a nod to Barnes' and Jackson's award-winning SHOWTIME series, "All The Smoke."
Beyond unleashing new cannabis offerings, Players Only has also forged strategic partnerships, minority ownership positions and application participation in key limited licensed states to provide the brand with optimum marketing and distribution opportunities. They have structured genetic partnerships with legacy growers that will solidify the brand menu for customer consistency worldwide.