Sharp gets Coke Zero endorsement deal

Thunder Bay’s Patrick Sharp is a celebrity pitch-man.

The high-scoring Chicago Blackhawks forward this fall will join Chicago Bears all-pro linebacker in a series of ads promoting Coke Zero in the Windy City.

“It's official! Proud to be part of the @CokeZero sports family with @BUrlacher54,” Sharp tweeted Monday afternoon.

Company spokesman Michael Dulin said the soft drink has continued to grow in popularity since first arriving on store shelves seven years ago.

"Brian Urlacher and Patrick Sharp are gifted athletes whose talents and personalities resonate with Chicago sports fans on and off the field or rink,” Dulin said in a release issued on Monday.

"Since it launched in 2005, Coke Zero has quickly become a consumer favorite and has seen consistently strong growth. Partnering with two of the most relevant and talked about athletes in Chicago sports is a great way to help us continue the momentum for Coke Zero."

Urlacher’s campaign begins next week, while Sharp’s will debut later in the fall.

For more on the campaign, follow Sharp on Twitter at @10PSharp.