After getting in some hot water over some shady endorsement deals during his time with the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard is going for a much purer route now as a member of the Raptors: Pitching some pricey, pure water.
Leonard has been featured in a new ad for Hallstein Water, an Austrian company, that sells 100% natural artesian mineral water — at a very steep price.
“I drink Hallstein artesian water because I want the best hydration,” Leonard said in the video posted on the company’s Instagram account and shared by the NBA star. “Hallstein, perfected by nature.”
“Optimal hydration is critical for peak athletic performance,” the caption reads. “Professional athletes around the world, like 2x NBA Champion and 2x NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, trust Hallstein Water as their source for daily hydration.
“No chemical filled sports or energy drinks. No cheap food dyes. No synthetic nutrients. Just water, the way nature intended us to hydrate.”
How much does Hallstein Water cost and why is it special?
According to the brand’s website, Hallstein water is bottled directly from an aquifer more than 200 metres below the earth’s surface at the base of Austria’s Dachstein mountain.
“Hallstein is completely untreated and uncompromised making it the purest drinking water on earth,” the company boasts.
Of course, getting that quality of water comes at quite a steep price for consumers.
Hallstein’s site lists six-bottle cases at $85 each — roughly $14 per bottle — for one-time orders, while the price drops to $70 per month if you want to subscribe for the artesian water.
The site also has a minimum order volume for Canadians, requiring customers to purchase at least two cases at a time.
Or, if you’re looking to massively upscale your office water cooler, Hallstein also sells its own line starting at $700 for the appliance and with five-gallon bottles going for $180 each or $150 per month through subscription.
While the company lists several high-end restaurants, hotels and resorts where Hallstein is “poured,” there are none listed in Canada.
What’s happening with Kawhi?
Earlier this week, the Raptors provided an update on their ailing star, who played just two games before being sidelined by knee swelling.
“Kawhi Leonard has successfully completed treatment to address left knee swelling,” the Raptors said in a release.
“He will now begin the return to play process in Toronto, and his progress will be updated in one week.”
That puts Leonard on track to miss at least two more games (Friday at Milwaukee and Monday’s home game against Memphis), with the earliest return date potentially coming on Oct. 11 at home against the Boston Celtics. The Raptors also play the following night in Philadelphia against the surging 76ers.