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WNBA Star Paige Bueckers Teams Up with NBA Superstar Chris Paul to Launch Bold New Snack
WNBA Star Paige Bueckers Teams Up with NBA Superstar Chris Paul to Launch Bold New Snack.
Paige Bueckers is teaming up with Chris Paul to launch a new snack flavor, Ragerz, under his Good Eat’n brand
One percent of sales will go to charity, supporting the Paige Bueckers Foundation’s efforts to fight food insecurity
For Paul, he tells PEOPLE the collaboration has been about more than just flavor
WNBA star Paige Bueckers is stepping into entrepreneurship alongside NBA superstar Chris Paul. The two are teaming up to launch a bold new snack flavor called Ragerz under Paul’s Good Eat’n brand, and it comes with a mission that goes beyond taste.
The partnership began when April Siler, CEO of Good Eat’n, approached Paul about creating a new flavor.
“We talked about finding someone authentic, a leader, someone with a lot of energy to help lead this,” the 12-time NBA All-Star, 40, tells PEOPLE exclusively over Zoom. “And Paige immediately came to mind. Getting her and her team on board has been really, really dope and special, and big for our company moving forward.”
WNBA Star Paige Bueckers Teams Up with NBA Superstar Chris Paul to Launch Bold New Snack
WNBA Star Paige Bueckers Teams Up with NBA Superstar Chris Paul to Launch Bold New Snack
For Bueckers, 21, the opportunity was impossible to pass up. Not only is this the first time a WNBA player has taken an equity stake in a brand owned by an NBA player, it also aligns with her passion for making an impact.
“My agent came to me with the idea, and first I’m like, it’s Chris Paul. I’ve looked up to him since I was young… So obviously that opportunity was exciting — to work with Chris, learn from Chris," she tells PEOPLE.
"But then everything about Gooding itself, to be able to have equity… this is the first time a WNBA player had equity stakes with an NBA player and his brand," she adds. "To be the first to do something is exciting because it means you’re not going to be the last. It’s kind of the start of something."
WNBA Star Paige Bueckers Teams Up with NBA Superstar Chris Paul to Launch Bold New SnackWNBA Star Paige Bueckers Teams Up with NBA Superstar Chris Paul to Launch Bold New Snack
WNBA Star Paige Bueckers Teams Up with NBA Superstar Chris Paul to Launch Bold New Snack.
The new snack, Ragerz, was co-developed by Bueckers herself. Going into the creation process, the Dallas Wings guard says the first thing she said was, “If we’re gonna do this, I want to do something spicy.”
“I liked the chili flavor, the lime flavor, but I also liked the spice and the kick. The chili lime one’s definitely my favorite, and the roll of the tortilla chip is my favorite version of the chip,” Bueckers explains.
For Paul, the collaboration has been about more than just flavor. “Food is an unbelievable connector. Snacks are something that bring people together — whether it’s a game night or family time. We wanted something that connects a family, not just kids or adults.”
Giving back is central to the venture. One percent of all Ragerz sales will go to charity, and Good Eat’n will partner with the Paige Bueckers Foundation to support initiatives tackling food insecurity across the U.S.
“I’ve always been blessed to have food on my plate and never had to worry about meals,” Bueckers says. “But I also know other people, especially younger generations, don’t have the same access. To be able to work with Chris, Gooding, and April to play our part in addressing that is really important.”
Paul echoes her sentiment. “Giving back has always been a staple for my career. Kids don’t have a say in whether they get a meal. Anytime we can help and give back — each one teach one — we try to do that.”
WNBA Star Paige Bueckers Teams Up with NBA Superstar Chris Paul to Launch Bold New SnackWNBA Star Paige Bueckers Teams Up with NBA Superstar Chris Paul to Launch Bold New Snack
WNBA Star Paige Bueckers Teams Up with NBA Superstar Chris Paul to Launch Bold New Snack.
Bueckers adds that working with Paul has been inspiring on multiple levels.
“You can do it all. He’s sustained excellence in the NBA for so long and also been able to break barriers and do amazing things off the court. You’re not limited to one thing — there are so many connections you can make, so many pathways you can take. Entrepreneurship and building a brand is just one example of that.”
Looking ahead, Paul is already thinking about the next flavor for Good Eat’n — and the taste testers are his own kids.
“My favorite flavor right now of Good Eat’n is the cookies and cream, because I grew up with the McFlurry’s from McDonald’s,” he says with a laugh. “And then the cinnamon puff… yeah, that’s good too. I gotta think about what’s next. These Ragerz are fire though. That chili lime — that’s fire.”
He continues, “What’s cool about it is I have kids, right? My son is 16, my daughter’s 13. To taste test these things with them is the funnest thing ever. They’ll try it and give their feedback in real time, along with their friends. It’s a way to really experience the product and see the excitement firsthand.”