Rapper Flavor Flav reveals how he became the hype man for the US women’s water polo team at Olympics

Rapper Flavor Flav revealed how he became a sponsor and the official hype man of the United States women’s water polo team at the 2024 Summer Olympics. 

With the games set to begin this week, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer joined the team in Paris as they look to win the US it’s fourth gold medal in the sport. His venture to France comes after signing a five-year sponsorship deal with the team earlier this year. 

Speaking in a press conference, Flavor Flav narrated how he ended up in his role after seeing a story from one of the players.  

‘The journey all started by Maggie Steffens putting out a story, you know what I’m saying,’ he said. ‘My manager turned me on to the story. As I read the story, I was like ‘Hey, I would love to step in and, you know, help these girls out.’

‘Because, I mean, these girls are on a journey,’ the rapper continued. ‘They’ve been on a journey, a fantastic journey.’

‘Flavor Flav saw that and something about it sparked his interest,’ Steffens said. ‘I know he commented ‘girl dad,’ which was pretty cool.  Since then, he reached out and I think it’s been a total blessing. 

‘He’s been great energy, all support. He’s been really great at shining any light back on us.’

Fully embracing his role, Flavor Flav even joined the team in the pool and scoring a goal against goalkeeper Ashleigh Johnson. He also commended Johnson for inspiring black athletes to take on the sport. 

‘My main goal is to really hype this team up to get that fourth gold medal,’ he said. ‘My goal is to push these girls. I’m having a lot of fun doing this,’ he said. ‘I just wanna thank the girls too, for even accepting my offer of sponsorship for the team.’

The rapper decided to sponsor the team after seeing a story from player Maggie Steffens 

Flavor Flav commended goalkeeper Ashleigh Johnson for encouraging black athletes 

The USA women’s water polo team will open group play on Saturday against Greece

‘I think by me jumping in the water with Ashleigh, it can probably [encourage] more black people to play water polo. Not too many black people are playing it. But I know there’s a lot of black people that can play it. 

‘Ashleigh, she’s a big inspiration when it comes down to black communities. I commend her, I raise the roof on her.’

The team will open group play on Saturday against Greece.