Ryan Howard Joins Crooked Pop™ as Investor, Teaming Up with Brandon Graham and Bai Founder Ben Weiss for an Organic Hard Soda

Crooked Pop™, the organic, zero-sugar hard soda from Ben Weiss, has added former MLB star Ryan Howard as an investor, joining a Philadelphia-based group that includes Brandon Graham. Crooked Pop offers a zero-sugar, gluten-free, USDA organic hard soda with 80 calories and no artificial sweeteners, launching in three flavors—Orange Cream, Blackberry, and Cherry Lime.

PHILADELPHIA, April 2, 2026 A new player is stepping into the beverage game.

Crooked Pop™, the organic, zero-sugar hard soda from Bai™ founder Ben Weiss, today announced that Ryan Howard has joined the company as an investor and partner behind its March 24th debut.

Howard joins a Philly-rooted ownership group that includes Brandon Graham, along with a broader roster of athlete and entertainment investors such as Zac Brown, Trae Young, Ronde Barber, and Adam Lefkoe.

"Getting in early with a proven builder like Ben was an easy decision," said Howard. "Then you add in working with my guy Brandon Graham, it just made sense. We've got a lot planned in Philly."

Weiss, who built Bai™ into a $1.7 billion exit to Dr Pepper, is now aiming to reshape the alcohol aisle with a cleaner approach. The result: the world's first zero-sugar, gluten-free, and USDA organic hard soda. Each 12 ounce can contains 80 calories, less than 1 gram of carbohydrates, and no artificial sweeteners.

Crooked Pop™ is made using Organic Super Dry Alcohol, a proprietary fermentation process derived from ancient grains including quinoa, amaranth, millet, and cassava.

The brand is live with three flavors:

• Orange Cream
• Blackberry
• Cherry Lime

With a growing roster of high-profile investors and a focus on simpler ingredients, Crooked Pop™ is positioning itself as a modern alternative in a category long dominated by high-sugar and artificially flavored options.

About Crooked Pop™

Crooked Pop™ is a next-generation hard soda brand founded by beverage innovator Ben Weiss. Powered by Organic Super Dry Alcohol, Crooked Pop™ is the first USDA-certified organic, zero-sugar, gluten-free, and vegan hard soda, delivering bold flavor with clean ingredients and complete transparency. For more information, visit drinkcrookedpop.com.

About Ryan Howard

Ryan Howard is a World Series champion, 2006 NL MVP, and one of the most dominant power hitters of his era. A cornerstone of the Philadelphia Phillies' golden run, he helped lead the team to a 2008 championship and multiple postseason appearances. Off the field, he's known for his larger-than-life presence, business ventures, and commitment to building impactful brands beyond baseball.