Pheonix Copley, a goalie who signed a one-year, $850,000 contract with the Blue Jackets on July 1, is distancing himself from Sport Drink, a company in which he is an investor and that sells electrolyte powder using controversial marketing ploys.
Posts on Sport Drink's official Twitter/X account have encouraged violence, featured homophobic slurs and promoted racist imagery.
The company recently took down a post that appeared to mock the death by suicide of a transgender 17-year-old, but screenshots were captured by critics and posted in online message boards.
That appeared to catch the notice of Copley.
Copley, 34, will open the season with the AHL's Cleveland Monsters. He doesn't post
much on social media, but issued a statement Oct. 6 on Twitter/X denouncing Sport Drink's ad campaign.
It was his first post in a month.
"I am writing to address the recent social media activity published by a company in which I am an investor," Copley's statement said. "I want to make it unequivocally clear that I do not condone these posts, and they do not represent my personal values, thoughts, or feelings. I have no involvement in their day-to-day operations or social media management, but I am deeply sorry to anyone who was hurt, offended, or upset by this content. I believe in maintaining the highest standards of respect and accountability, and I am disappointed by the company's actions."
I am writing to address the recent social media activity published by a company in which I am an investor. I want to make it unequivocally clear that I do not condone these posts, and they do not represent my personal values, thoughts, or feelings. I have no involvement in their…
— Pheonix Copley (@PheonixCopley) October 6, 2026
The Dispatch was not immediately able to reach Copley or his agent, Gerry Johansson. The Blue Jackets declined to comment, while the Monsters didn't immediately reply to a request for comment.
Copley is a minority owner of Sport Drink, which is based in Los Angeles and run by Josh Kaye, its founder and chief operating officer, and Joshua Lekach, chief executive officer and podcast host. Prior to signing with the Blue Jackets, Copley played for the Los Angeles Kings.
It's unknown whether Copley plans to divest himself from Sport Drink.
Other controversial Sport Drink posts include a farcical recommendation of "the death penalty for all marijuana users," plus a jarring spin-off of a racist Converse ad. Sport Drink's version shows what looks like the outline of a Ku Klux Klan hood on the hospital gown of a person wearing dark socks while standing on the Sport Drink logo and surrounded by cans of the powder.
The hood is outlined by sunlight, while the dark socks can give the illusion of a hanging body.
The post is captioned "Do you like our newest ad?" and went up Sept. 23 on Twitter/X. It hasn't been removed.
Additional scrolling through the company's posts shows liberal usage of homophobic slurs and racially charged references, along with a string of obscenities.
Copley, who is from North Pole, Alaska, and spent part of his childhood in central Ohio, is also used to promote the brand in multiple posts, including one Dec. 24 showing Copley playing for the Kings with the following comments: "Our one and only investor @PheonixCopley is from the North Pole. Santa is real. Merry Christmas."
Copley's ownership was most recently touted in a Sept. 21 post, when he entered the game for the Blue Jackets for the third period of a preseason game.
Dispatch Blue Jackets/Crew reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets' Pheonix Copley issues statement on offensive posts
