Coffee is more than just a morning pick-me-up for Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler—it’s a passion. The NBA powerhouse admits he consumes so much of it daily, he can’t even keep track. This deep-rooted love for the brew inspired him to launch his own coffee brand in 2020, aiming to deliver fresh cups to fellow NBA players. As Butler’s venture began to grow, it seemed like a natural extension of his future plans post-basketball. However, new policies introduced by the returning U.S. President could put a wrench in those plans, posing potential hurdles for Butler’s expanding side business.

Donald Trump’s recent announcement to impose tariffs on all goods from Colombia has raised some eyebrows, but what does this have to do with NBA star Jimmy Butler? As it turns out, Colombia is a key player in the coffee industry, responsible for about 20% of the coffee shipped to the U.S., according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

With a blanket 25% tariff looming, coffee prices are set to rise for American consumers. This means more than just a price hike on your favorite Starbucks drink—it’s a challenge for coffee manufacturers too, including Butler’s own BIGFACE Coffee, which could face increased production costs in the wake of these new policies.

One of Donald Trump’s boldest proposals has been the deportation of “illegal immigrant criminals” from the U.S., and in less than a week, his administration has already begun putting this plan into motion. The White House even released images of planes carrying deportees to Mexico and Colombia. However, both nations have blocked these deportation flights, throwing a wrench in Trump’s strategy.

As of now, the U.S. President has yet to take further steps, but Colombia’s refusal could have serious repercussions. Trump has already threatened a series of retaliatory actions, including a 25% tariff on Colombian goods, which he claimed could escalate to 50% in just a week—though reports suggest that decision may be on hold for now.

Since 2021, Jimmy Butler has been actively growing his BIGFACE Coffee brand. What started as a passion project has now expanded into pop-up shops where the brew is sold to the public. According to SB Nation, the coffee is crafted using single-origin Ethiopian beans. Butler’s drive to expand didn’t stop there; he reportedly traveled to Colombia to meet the owners of La Paz Coffee, based in the country’s southwestern region, for further inspiration. Now, with potential higher taxes on imports, Butler’s business could feel the impact directly, especially with coffee sourcing involved.

The past few weeks haven’t been easy for Jimmy Butler. He was part of trade rumors quickly dismissed by Pat Riley, but Butler stoked the fire himself by saying, “I want my joy back… I want to play with a dominant team”.

His comments, along with previous behavior, led to a 7-game suspension, and just this week, he received an additional 2-game suspension for disregarding team rules and insubordination. Amidst all this, Butler’s coffee brand could also face some challenges.

In a recent development, Colombian President Gustavo Petro ordered the presidential aircraft to help return deportees, but despite this gesture, there’s no guarantee that Trump will lift the restrictions. Adding to the tension, Petro imposed a 25% tariff on U.S. goods, which was later raised to 50%.

For Butler, while the risks to his coffee business might not hit him financially, coffee is far more than just a business investment.

Jimmy Butler considers BIGFACE coffee brand to be a “love and a passion”

Butler’s coffee journey began during the NBA Bubble amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In a conversation with ESPN’s Rachel Nichols, he shared his plans: “I’m working on my coffee skills. After my career, I’m opening my coffee shop”.

Soon after, stories surfaced of Butler brewing and selling coffee within the Bubble itself.

Using a French Press and beans from El Salvador, he charged $20 a cup—a steep markup. He even reportedly pocketed $100 bills after claiming he didn’t have change.

This experience, combined with his passion, inspired Butler to take a leap with BIGFACE Coffee. “I don’t consider this a business venture, though. I consider this like a love and a passion that I have,” he said in a 2022 interview with Sprudge. He’s dedicated to perfecting his craft and sharing it with people worldwide, emphasizing that coffee is his way to connect with others, not just a business.

“I’ve spent so much time studying up on coffee, and how to better the coffee that we have here at the BIGFACE brand and bring it to all different types of people everywhere. It’s not a business venture, that’s all. It’s something that I really enjoy doing. Something that calms me. It’s something that brings me together with so many different people from all over the world and it just humanizes me. I’m not an athlete when I’m drinking coffee.”

For now, it’s unclear if Butler will weigh in on the impact of Trump’s tariffs.