Chris Livingston gifts teammates, staff with Beats headphones

Kentucky freshman Chris Livingston has launched his partnership with Beats by Dre, one of the nation’s leading headphone and speaker companies, ahead of postseason play.

And as part of his campaign, he gifted brand new custom headphones to the entire basketball team, staff included.

Livingston officially announced the partnership on Thursday on his Instagram page to open the SEC Tournament. And then Friday, Kentucky Director of Player Development TJ Beisner shared his gift from the freshman forward on his own Twitter account.

Chris Livingston has launched his @beatsbydre campaign ahead of the SEC Tournament#KentuckyEffect pic.twitter.com/BaZVtAm7bp

— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) March 10, 2023

“I’m grateful to suit up with you and play the game we all love,” Livingston wrote in a message to go with the gift. “Enjoy these custom Beats Studio headphones as a token of my appreciation. We’re all we got! No limit.”

Appreciate you @_chrisliv24! pic.twitter.com/DcPTamIHPI

— TJ Beisner (@tjbeisner) March 10, 2023

Livingston’s partnership was announced the same day as Jacob Toppin‘s individual agreement with AT&T for his own new campaign, set to be released next week. Kentucky also reached a team agreement with Morgan & Morgan, America’s largest injury firm and longtime NIL partner of UK Athletics. 

All three deals were announced on the same day.

“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to continue our partnership with UK athletes and extend our NIL deals to the entirety of their men’s basketball team,” said Dan Morgan, partner at Morgan & Morgan. “More than a year into the NCAA rule change, we’re excited to see more and more athletes have the chance to build their brands and be compensated for their incredible achievements. As a lifelong Big Blue Nation citizen, I love that we get to support these players on their athletic journey.”

For Livingston specifically, his deal with Beats comes alongside a late-season explosion, one that has seen the freshman score at least nine points in five of his last eight games and at least five boards in six, including two ten-plus rebound efforts. He’s emerged as a force on the glass, a perfect complementary piece next to Oscar Tshiebwe and Jacob Toppin.

On-court growth rewarded with wins and NIL deals. And in turn, he’s giving back to his own teammates and staff as they begin their postseason run.

That’s the Kentucky Effect.