OAK BROOK Ill. McDonald's is teaming up with basketball star LeBron James in a multiyear partnership that will kick off with a commercial on Super Bowl Sunday.
As part of the partnership, James will support several of the fast-food giant's promotions and programs, including this year's McDonald's All American High School Basketball Games and efforts for Ronald McDonald House Charities. Financial details were not disclosed.
"LeBron is an all-star, both on the court and in the community," Neil Golden, chief marketing officer for McDonald's USA, said in a statement Thursday. "We're looking forward to working with LeBron to showcase our brand in surprising ways while also raising awareness of and support for Ronald McDonald House Charities."
In his first work with McDonald's, James will star in a remake of the chain's famous "Showdown" commercial, which aired during the 1993 Super Bow and featured Michael Jordan and Larry Bird competing for a Big Mac with a series of increasingly difficult basketball shots. Bird will also appear in the remake, along with Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic, a McDonald's spokeswoman said.
"McDonald's and I make a great team," said James, a forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the 2009 NBA MVP. "We share many of the same core values, including a commitment to excellence and giving back to the community."
Oak Brook-based McDonald's has more than 32,000 restaurants worldwide, including 14,000 in the United States.
Contact Molly Gise at [email protected].