In a twist that could change the way corporate sponsorships work in professional sports, Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey has reportedly offered Buffalo Bills star wide receiver Stefon Diggs an eye-popping $50 million to feature the iconic Coca-Cola branding on his jersey and hat during an upcoming NFL game.
According to multiple sources close to the deal, the proposal would mark the first time in NFL history that a player — rather than a team — directly wears a major corporate logo during official play. While the NFL has historically enforced strict uniform guidelines, Quincey’s move suggests that the beverage giant may be pushing the league into uncharted territory.
Witnesses to the meeting say Quincey made the pitch personally, flying to Buffalo in a private jet painted in Coca-Cola’s signature red and white. The meeting reportedly took place in a private dining room at one of the city’s most exclusive restaurants. The CEO allegedly slid a crimson folder across the table, inside of which was a simple, single-page contract.

Stefon Diggs glanced at the paper, smirked, and uttered just five words:
“Let’s make it taste legendary.”
The phrase, which instantly lit up Quincey’s face, has since been whispered about in both sports and marketing circles. According to insiders, the line was more than a witty response — it was a potential tagline for a new Coca-Cola campaign aimed at merging sports heroism with brand loyalty.
But then, Diggs allegedly made a request that left Quincey momentarily speechless.
“Put my high school team in the ad,” Diggs said, referring to Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney, Maryland, where he first made a name for himself as a football prodigy.
If reports are true, Diggs wants his former teammates, coaches, and even the school’s marching band to appear alongside him in the Coca-Cola campaign — and he’s insisting the company fund renovations for the school’s athletic facilities. Sources say this could tack on another $5 million to the already massive deal.

The reaction online has been electric. Social media is buzzing with hashtags like #TasteLegendary and #CokeAndDiggs, with fans debating whether the NFL would ever approve such a stunt.
Marketing experts are equally intrigued. Professor Elaine Bradford, a sports marketing specialist at NYU, commented:
“If this actually goes through, it could open the floodgates for direct player-brand partnerships in ways we’ve never seen before. It’s not just about the money; it’s about bypassing traditional sponsorship structures. This is disruptive.”
The NFL, however, has remained tight-lipped. When reached for comment, a league spokesperson simply said, “All uniform and branding decisions are subject to league policy.” That policy, as it stands, prohibits players from wearing any logos or messages that aren’t officially approved — but insiders note that special exceptions have been made for charity causes or commemorative events.
Adding to the intrigue, an anonymous Coca-Cola executive hinted that the company might be willing to negotiate directly with the NFL to greenlight the branding. “This isn’t just about slapping a logo on a jersey,” the executive said. “It’s about creating a cultural moment that fans will remember for decades.”
Meanwhile, Stefon Diggs has remained coy in public appearances. After a recent practice, when reporters pressed him about the rumored $50 million offer, he laughed and said, “Man, I’m just focused on catching passes right now. But hey — everybody likes Coke, right?”

While some fans see the proposal as a brilliant marriage of sports and commerce, others worry it could lead to a slippery slope where jerseys look more like NASCAR vehicles than professional football uniforms.
Former NFL quarterback Chris Simms weighed in during a sports talk segment:
“Look, Diggs is one of the biggest personalities in the game right now. If anyone could pull this off, it’s him. But the NFL’s not gonna let just any player run out there with a soda logo. This could either be revolutionary or get shot down before kickoff.”
Still, the potential payoff for Coca-Cola is enormous. A primetime NFL game featuring Diggs prominently displaying the brand could reach tens of millions of viewers in real time — not to mention the viral marketing boost that would follow.
Whether the deal happens or not, one thing is clear: the combination of a bold CEO, a superstar athlete, and a tagline like “Let’s make it taste legendary” has already captured the imagination of fans and marketers alike.
As one fan tweeted:
“If Diggs runs into the end zone with a Coke in one hand and the football in the other, that’s instant GOAT status.”
For now, the sports world waits. Will the NFL bend its rules for a $50 million splash of fizz? Or will Stefon Diggs and James Quincey have to settle for making history off the field?
Either way, the story of this unlikely negotiation is already a marketing legend in the making.