Over the past few years, McDonald's has teamed up with some of the biggest celebrities. From the Kai Cenat Meal to the Cardi B and Offset Meal to the Travis Scott Meal in 2020 — which kicked off the recent celebrity meal craze — the Golden Arches' marketing strategy continues to captivate fans nationwide.
Now, the popular fast-food chain is back with a first for the company, featuring a player who just finished her rookie WNBA season after a standout collegiate career at LSU.
Angel Reese x McDonald's meal is arriving next month
McDonald's is launching its first-ever female athlete meal, with Angel Reese as the trailblazer. Starting Feb. 10, fans can try the meal, which includes a BBQ Bacon Quarter Pounder with Cheese featuring a new Bold BBQ Sauce, medium fries, and a drink.
If this sounds familiar, you might be thinking of the McJordan Special, which was essentially the same meal. The coincidence runs deeper — Reese and Michael Jordan played professional basketball in Chicago, with Reese currently on the Chicago Sky and Jordan having made history with the Chicago Bulls.
Was this intentional on McDonald's part? It seems likely. Given the company's long-standing connection to basketball, it makes sense that its first female athlete meal partnership features a basketball star. Still, considering icons like Serena Williams and Simone Biles, it’s surprising this hasn’t happened sooner. Perhaps they just weren’t big McDonald’s fans.
While the meal doesn’t introduce much beyond the new BBQ sauce, it’s still a win for McDonald's fans. I’ll probably pass on the extra calories, but I would certainly get a hoop session in to burn some off if I did elect to get it from my local location.
Whether you try it or not, there’s no denying the impact Angel Reese has made on and off the court early in her career.