Latest news with #JoséBautista
Globe and Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Bat-flip king José Bautista's second act is all business
Ask any Blue Jays fan where they were the night of José Bautista's legendary 2015 bat flip, and chances are they'll remember exactly what they were doing. Mr. Bautista's memory of that moment, however, is surprisingly hazy. 'I remember hitting the ball,' he says, 'and then I was just … in the dugout, getting a drink. I kind of blacked out.' The sound, he adds, was overwhelming. 'It felt like the stadium was shaking.' Over a decade with the Jays, Mr. Bautista became one of the most iconic figures in Canadian sports – not just for his home runs or six All-Star appearances, but for the intensity and swagger he brought to the field. These days, he's busy building a quieter second act. Since retiring, Mr. Bautista has acquired a professional soccer team, backed a coffee farm in his native Dominican Republic, opened a fitness facility and taken stakes in multiple brands. He's invested in Canadian companies like Flow Water and is now the national face of Mary Brown's Chicken. He's also remained connected to his Canadian fanbase, supporting grassroots sports and raising funds for the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, into which he was inducted on Saturday. He sat down beforehand to talk about what life is like post-MLB, his evolution as an entrepreneur, and how he sees his legacy. What parts of your baseball career show up in your business life? The biggest thing is situational awareness – reading the environment and adjusting on the fly. You've got to understand the economic cycles, what engagement with your fans (or customers) looks like, and what you're really offering. That same thinking applies in business. Things are always shifting, so you have to stay resilient and adapt. You won't turn a business around overnight. But if you keep showing up, stay thoughtful, surround yourself with good people and put in the work consistently, small gains add up. Were you always interested in business? Yeah, I'd been investing for almost two decades at that point. When you're making money in pro sports, you get introduced to the wealth management world pretty quickly. I used it as a learning opportunity. I carved out a little side pot – money I could put into direct investments where I could meet the founders, ask questions and really understand the business. One of the first was Marucci Sports, a baseball equipment company. I joined their board in 2010. We sold the company right before COVID. Why go hands-on? I wanted a chance to roll the dice on things that felt interesting or personal. And even then, I wasn't replacing the advisers – I just became more active in a portion of what they were managing. I was the annoying client who came in with a lot of questions. Like, 'What's in this fund? Who runs it? How do they pick companies? What are the fees? What's the holding period?' I wanted to learn. Legendary Blue Jay Jose Bautista chats chicken, Netflix, and dishes on his Dominican hero Can you walk me through your biggest investments since then? Marucci was by far the biggest. Endy, a Canadian mattress company, was probably number two. I also got involved in a few pre-IPO and early-round opportunities. Some of them didn't work out – one was kind of like a WeWork concept that flopped, but we rolled that into something else that's doing okay now. Overall, I've probably done five or six, with about a 50-per-cent success rate, which feels lucky. What makes you say 'yes' to a brand or company now? For me, it has to serve a purpose, because I'm not just chasing returns. Giving back is a big one. Not harming the environment is another. I like companies that are thinking about the future, especially using technology to do things better or more efficiently. But even more than that, I want to work with good people who stick to their values. Because when things get tough – and they always do – you don't want to be involved with someone who's going to start cutting corners. Tell me about Bella Aldea, the Dominican coffee company you're backing. I grew up drinking espresso with my grandma on weekends in the Dominican Republic, so it's definitely personal. Most people don't associate Dominican Republic with coffee, even though we're one of the top-producing countries. So when I met my partners – fifth-generation coffee growers in a small mountain village called Juncalito – I felt like I could help tell that story. How do you handle the challenges of doing business in the DR? Having great partners is essential, and controlling the supply helps. We're vertically integrated – we own the farm, do the processing and roasting, and handle export. That lets us control consistency and quality from the source. Let's talk about the Las Vegas Lights FC. What made you want to own a soccer team? I've always wanted to invest in professional sports. But when you look at leagues like MLB or MLS, the valuations are so high that, even if you do invest, you don't really get a seat at the table. With the United Soccer League, I saw an opportunity to actually be involved. This is a long-term play. But the league has come a long way in the last 10 to 15 years, and with promotion and relegation on the horizon, it's about to become a lot more dynamic. Baseball gives you instant feedback – hits, errors, the scoreboard. Was it strange adjusting to a world where results can take longer to show up? A little, yeah. In baseball, maybe I make an adjustment to my swing, and by my next at-bat, I'll see a change. In business, you might change a strategy and not know if it worked for six months. But it also forces you to be more thoughtful. You look for patterns. You rely on data. You talk to customers, partners, investors, whoever can give you insight. And it teaches you patience, which isn't always easy for someone wired like me. What's the biggest business mistake you've made? Early on, I was afraid to dig deep into financial statements. I'd get these investor updates and just kind of skim the parts I didn't fully understand – I didn't want to look like I didn't know what I was doing. Now? I ask everything. I don't care how dumb it sounds. If I don't get it, I want to figure it out. I'd rather look a little clueless and learn something than pretend and miss something important. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Still investing, for sure. Still giving back. I've already helped 62 kids through college with my foundation. But I have a lot more energy and curiosity to offer. I want to keep building – whether it's businesses, relationships, or maybe something bigger in the sports world. If I can add a few more stories to that list, help a few more people, and still have time to be present for my daughters … I'll be happy with that. This interview has been edited and condensed.
Associated Press
03-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
José Bautista Steps Up to the Plate Again for Mary Brown's Chicken with a Spicy New Twist on the Batter's Box
TORONTO, June 3, 2025 /CNW/ - Baseball season is heating up and so is Mary Brown's Chicken. The proudly Canadian quick service restaurant is once again teaming up with Toronto Blue Jays icon, José Bautista, to bring fans the return of the beloved Batter's Box - now with an all-new, exclusive flavour: Sweet Habanero. After a smashing success in 2024, the partnership between Mary Brown's Chicken and the six-time MLB All-Star returns with even more flavour. José Bautista is back as the face of the campaign, bringing the heat and excitement around Mary Brown's Chicken signature offering. 'I had such a great time working with Mary Brown's Chicken last year, and I'm excited to be back,' said Bautista. 'Bringing fans together over amazing food and a shared love of the game is what this partnership is all about. And trust me, you're going to want to spice things up with my new sauce.' Inspired by the bold, vibrant flavours of his Dominican heritage, the Sweet Habanero sauce brings a perfect balance of heat and tanginess to the table. It's a flavour reflecting José's roots and fiery passion for the game. The Batter's Box includes 6 pieces of Mary Brown's Signature Chicken available in Original, Spicy, Honey BBQ or the new Sweet Habanero, medium taters, 2 freshly baked biscuits, and a medium gravy. All for $22.99 plus tax. 'We're excited to continue our partnership with José Bautista,' said Kala Patel, Vice President of Marketing at Mary Brown's Chicken. 'He brings so much heart and genuine passion to the brand. He's the perfect ambassador for our Batter's Box promotion, which is all about sharing and celebration. This year, the addition of the Sweet Habanero sauce takes the Batter's Box to another level.' Bautista's return to the Batter's Box with Mary Brown's Chicken comes just days before he is set to be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame on June 7, 2025. His contributions to baseball in Canada have left an indelible mark, and this collaboration celebrates both his heritage and his lasting impact on the game, as well as his impact on Canadians. Make it a Grand Slam From June 3rd to September 8th, guests can take their meal to the next level with the $9.99 Grand Slam add-on, an unbeatable offer designed to offer more value and more to share while watching the game. This craveable combo includes snack-size Pop-Ins, 2 cookies, and 2 cans of pop. The Batter's Box is available at Mary Brown's Chicken locations across Canada (excluding MB Express and Rogers Centre locations) and can be ordered through the Mary Brown's App, Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Skip, starting June 3rd, 2025. To learn more, please visit About Mary Brown's Chicken: Mary Brown's Chicken has over 280 locations across Canada and is growing. The brand is 100 per cent Canadian-owned, being first established in St. John's Newfoundland in 1969. Mary Brown's is renowned for its Big Mary®, named Canada's Best Chicken Sandwich, and made-fresh methodology including hand cutting and hand breading its Signature Chicken and Taters from farm-fresh Canadian ingredients. Mary Brown's Chicken has achieved 19 consecutive years of same-store sales growth, earned the Canadian Franchise Association's Franchisees' Choice Designation for 15 straight years, and holds a Platinum designation with Canada's Best Managed Companies. The company's first international locations opened in 2024, and outside of Canada, Mary Brown's Chicken operates in Mexico, the UK, and India. Connect with Mary Brown's Chicken on social YouTube: @marybrownsofficial Instagram: @marybrownsofficial Facebook: @marybrowns TikTok: @marybrownschicken SOURCE Mary Brown's Chicken
Cision Canada
03-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
José Bautista Steps Up to the Plate Again for Mary Brown's Chicken with a Spicy New Twist on the Batter's Box
TORONTO, June 3, 2025 /CNW/ - Baseball season is heating up and so is Mary Brown's Chicken. The proudly Canadian quick service restaurant is once again teaming up with Toronto Blue Jays icon, José Bautista, to bring fans the return of the beloved Batter's Box - now with an all-new, exclusive flavour: Sweet Habanero. After a smashing success in 2024, the partnership between Mary Brown's Chicken and the six-time MLB All-Star returns with even more flavour. José Bautista is back as the face of the campaign, bringing the heat and excitement around Mary Brown's Chicken signature offering. "I had such a great time working with Mary Brown's Chicken last year, and I'm excited to be back," said Bautista. "Bringing fans together over amazing food and a shared love of the game is what this partnership is all about. And trust me, you're going to want to spice things up with my new sauce." Inspired by the bold, vibrant flavours of his Dominican heritage, the Sweet Habanero sauce brings a perfect balance of heat and tanginess to the table. It's a flavour reflecting José's roots and fiery passion for the game. The Batter's Box includes 6 pieces of Mary Brown's Signature Chicken available in Original, Spicy, Honey BBQ or the new Sweet Habanero, medium taters, 2 freshly baked biscuits, and a medium gravy. All for $22.99 plus tax. "We're excited to continue our partnership with José Bautista," said Kala Patel, Vice President of Marketing at Mary Brown's Chicken. "He brings so much heart and genuine passion to the brand. He's the perfect ambassador for our Batter's Box promotion, which is all about sharing and celebration. This year, the addition of the Sweet Habanero sauce takes the Batter's Box to another level." Bautista's return to the Batter's Box with Mary Brown's Chicken comes just days before he is set to be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame on June 7, 2025. His contributions to baseball in Canada have left an indelible mark, and this collaboration celebrates both his heritage and his lasting impact on the game, as well as his impact on Canadians. Make it a Grand Slam From June 3rd to September 8th, guests can take their meal to the next level with the $9.99 Grand Slam add-on, an unbeatable offer designed to offer more value and more to share while watching the game. This craveable combo includes snack-size Pop-Ins, 2 cookies, and 2 cans of pop. The Batter's Box is available at Mary Brown's Chicken locations across Canada (excluding MB Express and Rogers Centre locations) and can be ordered through the Mary Brown's App, Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Skip, starting June 3rd, 2025. To learn more, please visit About Mary Brown's Chicken: Mary Brown's Chicken has over 280 locations across Canada and is growing. The brand is 100 per cent Canadian-owned, being first established in St. John's Newfoundland in 1969. Mary Brown's is renowned for its Big Mary®, named Canada's Best Chicken Sandwich, and made-fresh methodology including hand cutting and hand breading its Signature Chicken and Taters from farm-fresh Canadian ingredients. Mary Brown's Chicken has achieved 19 consecutive years of same-store sales growth, earned the Canadian Franchise Association's Franchisees' Choice Designation for 15 straight years, and holds a Platinum designation with Canada's Best Managed Companies. The company's first international locations opened in 2024, and outside of Canada, Mary Brown's Chicken operates in Mexico, the UK, and India. Connect with Mary Brown's Chicken on social YouTube: @marybrownsofficial Instagram: @marybrownsofficial Facebook: @marybrowns TikTok: @marybrownschicken
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Promino Nutritional Sciences Inc. Announces that Promino(TM) Named Official Protein Drink of the Vegas Knight Hawks
Expanding U.S. sports presence as brand aligns with Las Vegas franchises Burlington, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 17, 2025) - Promino Nutritional Sciences Inc. (CSE: MUSL) (OTC Pink: MUSLF) (FSE: 93X) (the "Company" or "Promino"), a Canadian leader in muscle health and functional performance beverages, is pleased to announce that its flagship product Promino™ - NSF Certified for Sport® has been named the Official Protein Drink of the Vegas Knight Hawks, a professional Indoor Football League team based in Las Vegas, Nevada. This partnership, executed on April 15, 2025, represents a significant milestone in Promino's U.S. expansion strategy and strengthens its position in one of America's fastest-growing sports markets. The Vegas Knight Hawks join a growing roster of Promino-affiliated teams and athletes in the Las Vegas market, including Team Promino athlete José Bautista's Las Vegas Lights FC and Vegas Golden Knights superstar Jack Eichel, who officially joined Team Promino in 2024. "Las Vegas is more than just a sports town — it's where culture, performance, and visibility collide," said Vito Sanzone, CEO of Promino. "Our partnerships here are foundational to Promino's functional beverage strategy in the U.S. The energy of this city, and the caliber of its athletes and fans, align perfectly with our mission to redefine recovery and performance nutrition. Las Vegas is a proving ground, and we intend to win here." "We're excited to welcome Promino as the Official Protein Drink of the Vegas Knight Hawks," said Gabe Mirabelli, Chief Business Officer of FEG Minor League Sports Properties. "Their focus on innovation and performance nutrition is a natural fit for our team, and we look forward to building this partnership on and off the field." Promino™ is a clinically validated muscle activator designed to enhance muscle recovery, strength, and function without the use of traditional dairy-based proteins. The brand will be featured in-arena, across digital campaigns, and within team training environments. About The Vegas Knight Hawks The Vegas Knight Hawks are an Indoor Football League franchise operated by the Foley Entertainment Group. The Knight Hawks play their home games at Lee's Family Forum in Henderson, NV. For the latest news and information on the Knight Hawks visit Fans can follow the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. About Promino Promino is an innovative and research driven Canadian nutraceutical company specializing in the development of patented and science-based products for the global consumer packaged goods market, with a portfolio focused specifically on muscle health. Promino's lead product, Rejuvenate Muscle™ Activator, is a patented proprietary formulation that is clinically proven to assist in the building, rebuilding, restoration and rejuvenation of natural muscle mass. Promino also offers Promino™, an elite performance supplement for both professional and amateur athletes to accelerate muscle recovery, build strength and accelerate recovery from injury. Promino was founded in 2015 and is located in Burlington, Ontario. For more information about Rejuvenate Muscle™ Activator and where to purchase, visit Promino™ - NSF Certified for Sport® brand ambassadors include NHL Stanley Cup™ Champion Jack Eichel of the Vegas Golden Knights and MLB Legend and Toronto Blue Jays 6x All-Star José Bautista. To learn more about Promino, visit Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. All statements that address activities, events, or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will, or may, occur in the future, are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the Company's business prospects, potential growth in the functional beverage market, future trends, plans and strategies. In some cases, forward looking statements are preceded by, followed by, or include words such as "may", "will," "would", "could", "should", "believes", "estimates", "projects", "potential", "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "continues", or the negative of those words or other similar or comparable words. In preparing the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, that protein supplement market growth will continue as anticipated by the Company, and that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner. These forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time such statements were made. Actual future results may differ materially as forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to materially differ from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. For further information about Promino: Vito Sanzone, CEO, vsanzone@ 289-348-1970 ext. 222 Marc Charbin, Investor Relations, 416-467-5229 To view the source version of this press release, please visit Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Flow Beverage Corp. Adds José Bautista as Strategic Advisor and Closes Second Tranche of Private Placement of Convertible Debenture Units
TORONTO, February 05, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Flow Beverage Corp. (TSX:FLOW; OTCQX:FLWBF) ("Flow" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a Strategic Advisory Agreement with José Bautista and that it has closed the second tranche (the "Second Tranche") of its previously announced non-brokered private placement offering (the "Private Placement") of unsecured convertible debenture units of the Company (collectively, the "Convertible Debenture Units"). Strategic Advisory Agreement with José Bautista José Bautista is a six-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger with the Toronto Blue Jays. Having retired from Major League Baseball in 2018, he has since become the owner of Las Vegas Lights FC, Diesel Optimization and Bella Aldea Dominican Coffee. Under the Strategic Advisory Agreement, Mr. Bautista will support Flow in brand, marketing and media strategy. Mr. Bautista also participated in the Private Placement, providing him ownership in the Company. "José's commitment to excellence in training, lifestyle and recovery, in addition to his active involvement in professional sports aligns strongly with Flow's achievement-oriented consumers. Our newly innovated brand emphasizes the superior mineral content and hydration from drinking Flow Mineral Spring Water, and we believe people like José understand the value proposition and the positive impact to performance from superior hydration options like Flow," said Nicholas Reichenbach, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Flow. José added, "Joining Flow as a strategic advisor and investing in the Company was an easy decision for me. As a passionate consumer of Flow, I enjoy its essential minerals and electrolytes, giving superior hydration benefits for athletes. It's not just about quenching thirst, it's about providing the body with what it needs to perform at its best." Private Placement Second Tranche In conjunction with closing of the Second Tranche of the Private Placement, Flow has issued and sold an additional 43.382 Convertible Debenture Units at a price of CDN$10,000 per Convertible Debenture Unit for additional gross proceeds of CDN$433,820. Each Convertible Debenture Unit sold in the Second Tranche consists of: (i) one 12% unsecured convertible debenture (each, a "Convertible Debenture") in the principal amount of $10,000 convertible into subordinate voting shares of the Company (the "SVS" and each such SVS, a "Conversion SVS") at a conversion price of $0.41 per Conversion SVS (the "Conversion Price") and maturing three years from its date of issue; and (ii) 4,878 SVS purchase warrants (each, a "Warrant") each of which entitles the holder thereof to purchase one SVS (each, a "Warrant SVS") at a price of $0.41 per Warrant SVS for a period of three years. The Company issued 211,617 Warrants in the closing of the Second Tranche. The terms of the Convertible Debentures are the same as disclosed in the Company's press release dated December 31, 2024 announcing the closing of the first tranche of the Private Placement with the exception that the terms for all of the Convertible Debentures have been amended so that they are no longer redeemable at the Company's option. The Company intends to close the balance of the Private Placement for total gross proceeds of up to CDN$7,000,000 in one or more additional tranches on such date(s) as may be determined by the Company. There can be no assurance as to whether or when additional tranches of the Private Placement may be completed, or as to the final amount to be raised under the Private Placement. The Convertible Debentures, the Warrants, the Conversion SVS and the Warrant SVS sold under the Second Tranche are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance of the Convertible Debenture Units ending on June 4, 2025. The proceeds of the Second Tranche will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes. The Private Placement remains subject to final approval by the TSX. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") and may not be offered or sold to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the United States or "U.S. persons" (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act and any applicable state securities laws. The TSX does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. About Flow Flow is one of the fastest-growing premium water companies in North America. Founded in 2014, Flow's mission since day one has been to reduce environmental impacts by providing sustainably sourced natural mineral spring water in the most sustainable product formats. Today, the brand is B-Corp Certified with a best-in-class score of 114.5, offering a diversified line of health and wellness-oriented beverage products: original mineral spring water, award-winning organic flavours and sparkling mineral spring water in sizes ranging from 300-ml to 1-litre. All products contain naturally occurring electrolytes and essential minerals and support Flow's overarching purpose to "bring wellness to the world through the positive power of water." Flow beverage products are available at retailers in Canada and the United States, and online at For more information on Flow, please visit Flow's investor relations site at: Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("Forward-Looking Statements"). The Forward-Looking Statements contained in this press release relate to future events or Flow's future plans, operations, strategy, performance or financial position and are based on Flow's current expectations, estimates, projections, beliefs and assumptions, including, among other things, the intention to close additional tranches of the Private Placement, the total proceeds intended to be raised in the Private Placement and the allocation of the use of proceeds from the Private Placement. In particular, there is no assurance that the Company will be able to sell any additional Convertible Debenture Units under the Private Placement. Such Forward-Looking Statements have been made by Flow in light of the information available to it at the time the statements were made and reflect its experience and perception of historical trends. All statements and information other than historical fact may be forward-looking statements. Such Forward-Looking Statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "may", "would", "should", "could", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "plan", "foresee", "believe", "continue", "expect", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words and expressions. Forward-Looking Statements are based on certain expectations and assumptions and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond Flow's control, that could cause actual events, results, performance and achievements to differ materially from those anticipated in these Forward-Looking Statements. Forward-Looking Statements are provided for the purposes of assisting the reader in understanding Flow and its business, operations, prospects, and risks at a point in time in the context of historical and possible future developments, and the reader is therefore cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-Looking Statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these Forward-Looking Statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Unless otherwise noted or the context otherwise indicates, the Forward-Looking Statements contained herein are provided as of the date hereof, and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation, except to the extent required by law, to update or revise any Forward-Looking Statements as a result of new information or future events, or for any other reason. The following press release should be read in conjunction with the management's discussion and analysis and consolidated financial statements and notes thereto as at and for the year ended October 31, 2024. Additional information about Flow is available on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at including the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended October 31, 2024 dated January 29, 2025. View source version on Contacts Trent MacDonald, Chief Financial Officer1-844-356-9426investors@ Investors:Marc Charbininvestors@ Media:Natasha Koifmannk@ Sign in to access your portfolio
