Dr Pepper bought a big stake in sports drink BodyArmor where Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant made 
subtantial investments last year and is rivalring market leader Gatorade.

Dr Pepper Snapple Group bought an  an 11.7% stake in BA Sports Nutrition, the maker of BodyArmor, for  

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$20 million, the  Business Insider reported.

It was also the first investment by Kobe Inc., a company founded by the Lakers star last year.Bryant sits on the board of directors of BA Sports Nutrition and owned more than 10% of the company 
before Dr Pepper made an investment.

NFL quarterback Andrew Luck of the Indianapolis Colts and Major League Baseball outfielder Mike Trout 
of the Los Angeles Angels also invested in the drink.

The $6.81 billion sports drink market is dominated by Pepsico's Gatorade, which is endorsed by Michael Jordan and popularized the Be Like Mike" slogan.

Gatorade captures a 77 percent market share while Coca Cola's Powerade had a 20 percent share.
BodyArmor, whcih posted $30 million in sales last year, pushed its revenue up by 180% in the last nine months.

The beverage, which has about 150 calories per bottle, is composed of potassium-packed electrolytes, cane sugar and coconut water and is vitamin-enriched.

The drink comes in seven flavors, namely: grape, strawberry banana, mixed berry, orange mango, fruit punch, lemon lime and tropical punch.
 It contains no artificial colors or flavors.

Mike Repole, co-founder and chairman of BodyArmour, said they are gaining distribution networks throughout the United States, and will soon become a national brand. 

Meanwhile, Kobe Inc. partnered with Alibaba Group Holding Ltd early this month for the latter to distribute the basketball star's products, including his video narrative, according to Business Finance News.

Tagssports drinks, BodyArmor, Dr Pepper, Los Angeles Lakers, Gatorade, Powerade