Partnering With $38 Billion Brand, LeBron James Explores New Acting Heights With ‘Ted Lasso’ Star Jason Sudeikis

Is there anything that LeBron James can’t do? He is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the best players to ever play in the NBA. However, it’s not LeBron’s basketball skills that everyone’s buzzing about lately; it’s his acting chops that’s got people talking. James’ latest collaboration with Taco Bell, a brand worth a whopping $38 billion, has fans hyped up and cracking up at the same time.

LeBron James showed off his acting talents in Taco Bell’s latest commercial, which also featured Jason Sudeikis. Sudeikis is famous for portraying Ted Lasso in Apple TV’s “Ted Lasso.” The advertisement adds a playful twist to sitcoms while also promoting the Cantina Chicken Crispy Taco, available in Taco Bell’s five-dollar Discovery Box on Tuesdays. This marketing push is aptly named “Taco Twosday.”

LeBron James also posted a snippet of the commercial on his official Instagram account. He captioned the post with, “Taco Tuesday’s the best!!! Right, Jason?!” His marketability was on full show, as in less than an hour, LeBron’s post has already garnered over 50,000 likes. The campaign also features Indian brand ambassador, Hardik Pandya.

Taco Bell’s decision to start a marketing campaign around “Taco Tuesday” may provide dividends. After all, Taco Bell and LeBron James were involved in a highly publicized legal battle to free the “Taco Tuesday” phrase.

Taco Bell, LeBron James and the battle for “Taco Tuesday”

Back in May, 2023, LeBron James joined Taco Bell in their battle to free the “Taco Tuesday” phrase. Taco John’s, a Wyoming-based Mexican food chain, has owned the trademark for “Taco Tuesday” in 49 states since 1989. LeBron, along with Taco Bell, filed a legal petition via the USPTO Trademark Trial and Appeal Board to invalidate the federal trademark registrations for “Taco Tuesday.”

In a public statement released by Taco Bell, LeBron James stated, “‘Taco Tuesday’ is a tradition that everyone should be able to celebrate. All restaurants, all families, all businesses – everybody. ‘Taco Tuesdays’ create opportunities that bring people together in so many ways, and it’s a celebration that nobody should own.” 

On 19th July, 2023, King James and Taco Bell emerged victorious in their legal battle, as Taco John decided to relinquish their trademark registration for “Taco Tuesday.” In a public statement, Taco John said that they are “lovers, not fighters.” However, Taco John held the trademark in 49 states, which meant people of New Jersey still couldn’t use the phrase. However, on 24th October, 2023, New Jersey-based Gregory’s Restaurant and Bar relinquished their trademark registration. This meant that the phrase is free to use in all 50 states of America.