Ask the Big 12 to Stop Promoting Monster Energy to Young Fans
The Issue
PROTECT YOUNG FANS: A Public Health Petition
If your kids watch Big 12 football or basketball this fall, they'll see their heroes wearing Monster Energy.
Kids copy what their idols endorse. Do you want your child reaching for an energy drink to play like them?
If not, sign now.
In the past 15 years, at least five American teenagers and young athletes — including 14-year-old Anais Fournier, 16-year-old Davis Allen Cripe, and 17-year-old Larissa Rodriguez — have died from cardiac events linked to energy drink consumption.
On July 7, 2026, the Big 12 made Monster Energy the entitlement partner of its football and basketball seasons — a first in college sports.¹ It will appear on jerseys, courts, and social media.
The Big 12 is a youth-facing organization: field days at elementary schools, Kids in Sports Day — and Monster Energy now presents its student sections.²˒³
“Energy drinks containing stimulants should never be consumed by children and adolescents.”
— American Academy of Pediatrics⁴˒⁵
“Energy drinks are not sports drinks.”
— National Federation of State High School Associations⁶
"Data on high doses of caffeine such as that found in energy drinks are limited and generally
suggest cardiovascular harm."
— American Heart Association⁷
"Energy drinks should not be consumed by children or adolescents."
— American College of Sports Medicine⁸
Thousands visit emergency departments yearly after drinking them, nearly half with cardiac complaints.⁹ Rhythm problems and deaths have been reported, mostly in young people.¹⁰˒¹¹ Children aren't small adults — the same can is a far bigger dose for a smaller body.
We're not asking to ban energy drinks or restrict adults. We ask Commissioner Brett Yormark and the Big 12 Board to end this partnership. Sign now.
Healthcare Professionals: Review and sign the Endorsement Statement. → Click Here
Learn from an Expert: Dr. John P. Higgins, MD, MBA, MPhil — sports cardiologist and lead author of the American College of Sports Medicine's call to action on energy drinks — reviews the medical evidence. → Click Here
This petition was developed by physicians and public-health advocates using the peer-reviewed medical literature and the recommendations of leading cardiology, pediatric, and sports-medicine organizations. It is intended to encourage responsible sponsorship policy. It is not individual medical advice, and it makes no allegation of wrongdoing by any person or company.
177
The Issue
PROTECT YOUNG FANS: A Public Health Petition
If your kids watch Big 12 football or basketball this fall, they'll see their heroes wearing Monster Energy.
Kids copy what their idols endorse. Do you want your child reaching for an energy drink to play like them?
If not, sign now.
In the past 15 years, at least five American teenagers and young athletes — including 14-year-old Anais Fournier, 16-year-old Davis Allen Cripe, and 17-year-old Larissa Rodriguez — have died from cardiac events linked to energy drink consumption.
On July 7, 2026, the Big 12 made Monster Energy the entitlement partner of its football and basketball seasons — a first in college sports.¹ It will appear on jerseys, courts, and social media.
The Big 12 is a youth-facing organization: field days at elementary schools, Kids in Sports Day — and Monster Energy now presents its student sections.²˒³
“Energy drinks containing stimulants should never be consumed by children and adolescents.”
— American Academy of Pediatrics⁴˒⁵
“Energy drinks are not sports drinks.”
— National Federation of State High School Associations⁶
"Data on high doses of caffeine such as that found in energy drinks are limited and generally
suggest cardiovascular harm."
— American Heart Association⁷
"Energy drinks should not be consumed by children or adolescents."
— American College of Sports Medicine⁸
Thousands visit emergency departments yearly after drinking them, nearly half with cardiac complaints.⁹ Rhythm problems and deaths have been reported, mostly in young people.¹⁰˒¹¹ Children aren't small adults — the same can is a far bigger dose for a smaller body.
We're not asking to ban energy drinks or restrict adults. We ask Commissioner Brett Yormark and the Big 12 Board to end this partnership. Sign now.
Healthcare Professionals: Review and sign the Endorsement Statement. → Click Here
Learn from an Expert: Dr. John P. Higgins, MD, MBA, MPhil — sports cardiologist and lead author of the American College of Sports Medicine's call to action on energy drinks — reviews the medical evidence. → Click Here
This petition was developed by physicians and public-health advocates using the peer-reviewed medical literature and the recommendations of leading cardiology, pediatric, and sports-medicine organizations. It is intended to encourage responsible sponsorship policy. It is not individual medical advice, and it makes no allegation of wrongdoing by any person or company.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on July 20, 2026