Over the past couple of months, it seems like the King of Burgers himself has turned into something of a lucky charm for major sports events, after being part of Floyd Mayweather's entourage for the so-called "Fight of the Century" earlier this year - and last weekend, the Burger King mascot celebrated yet another champion.
After being part of Mayweather's entourage during his fight with Manny Pacquiao (alongside others like Justin Bieber and 50 Cent), Burger King's mascot, The King, was recently photographed over the weekend next to Bob Baffert, American Pharaoh's trainer, in the owner's box during the Belmont Stakes where the horse became the first to win the Triple Clown since 1978.
Fast Co-Create reports that, while the fast food chain has refused to give any details about the contract that saw the Burger King mascot present during the landmark win, there's little doubt that they cashed in quite a lot to be able to sponsor the winning horse - particularly considering it's been said the chain paid approximately $1 million to accompany Mayweather in the fight.
The Minneapolis Sun Times reports that Burger King mascot's appearance begins to be considered as a good luck charm, as this marks the second time the chain's King doesn't only accompany a winner, but is also present when they cement their iconic status - like Mayweather beating longtime rival while remaining undefeated last May, and American Pharaoh hitting its landmark win.
Over the past few months, fast food chains have been reviving their beloved mascots as industry sales drop: KFC has brought back its Colonel Sanders, now played by "SNL" announcer Darrel Hammond, while McDonald's is using its longtime character Hamburglar in an updated version to gain back customers after a dismal year.
The New York Daily News reports that, while it's thought that The King also paid up $1 million to appear alongside American Pharaoh's trainer, it doesn't give him any less credit over his choice of winners - and a spokesperson for the company replied, when asked, that "there's a reason we call him the King."
