The Surprising Truth: 5 Facts About BuzzBallz Ownership After The Multi-Million Dollar Sazerac Acquisition

The question of whether BuzzBallz is women-owned holds a fascinating, time-sensitive answer. As of late December 2025, the ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktail brand is no longer a woman-owned and family-operated business, but its legacy is deeply rooted in the vision of its innovative founder, Merrilee Kick. The major shift in ownership occurred in 2024 when the Texas-based company was acquired by one of the world’s largest spirits conglomerates, a deal that cemented the brand’s meteoric rise from a Master’s degree thesis project to a multi-million-dollar success story. The journey of BuzzBallz, known for its distinctive spherical, high-ABV cocktails, is a powerful case study in entrepreneurial spirit, particularly for women in the traditionally male-dominated alcohol industry. While the company's current status has changed, understanding its origins under Merrilee Kick is essential to grasping its full impact on the beverage market.

The Visionary Behind the Ball: Merrilee Kick Biography and Profile

Merrilee Kick is the visionary entrepreneur who conceived, founded, and built BuzzBallz into a globally recognized brand before its major acquisition. Her journey from the classroom to the boardroom is a testament to her innovative spirit and business acumen.

• Full Name: Merrilee Kick
• Role: Founder and former CEO of BuzzBallz/Southern Champion
• Background: Former Plano ISD (Independent School District) teacher in Texas.
• Inspiration: The idea for BuzzBallz came to her in 2009 while she was working on her Master's degree thesis project at the University of Texas at Dallas. She noticed a need for a pre-mixed, high-quality, single-serve cocktail that wouldn't break or leak, leading to the durable, spherical plastic container design.
• Company Founding: Founded BuzzBallz in 2009. The parent company, Southern Champion, operated a unique three-in-one facility as a Distillery, Winery, and Brewery—a combination she often highlighted as the only woman-owned facility of its kind in the United States.
• Industry Recognition: She consistently ranked among the top women business leaders and fastest-growing women-owned/led companies lists, including those published by the Women President Organization.
• Ownership Status (Pre-Acquisition): BuzzBallz was proudly woman-owned and family-operated for over a decade.
• Acquisition: Sold BuzzBallz/Southern Champion to the Sazerac Company in a deal announced/completed in 2024. The deal size was estimated by Forbes to be a minimum of $500 million.

The Definitive Answer: Is BuzzBallz Still Woman-Owned?

The simple and most up-to-date answer is no, BuzzBallz is no longer a woman-owned business. The company, BuzzBallz LLC (operating as Southern Champion), was acquired by the Sazerac Company, Inc. in a landmark deal completed in the first half of 2024. Sazerac is a massive, Louisiana-based spirits conglomerate owned by billionaire William Goldring, and its portfolio includes iconic brands like Buffalo Trace and Southern Comfort.

The Significance of the 2024 Sazerac Acquisition

The acquisition marked a pivotal moment for both the RTD cocktail industry and the legacy of Merrilee Kick. * A Billion-Dollar Idea: Merrilee Kick built the company from a small operation in Carrollton, Texas, to a brand with an estimated valuation of at least $500 million at the time of the sale. This massive valuation underscores the power of a single, innovative idea—the spherical, high-proof cocktail—developed by a woman entrepreneur. * Expansion and Distribution: For BuzzBallz, the sale meant gaining access to Sazerac’s extensive global distribution network. This strategic move allows the brand to reach new international markets and significantly increase its presence across the United States, further cementing its position as a major player in the ready-to-drink sector. * The End of an Era: The sale concluded the chapter of BuzzBallz as a woman-owned and family-operated enterprise. While the brand's origins and success will forever be tied to Merrilee Kick, its manufacturing and strategic direction are now managed by the Sazerac corporation.

The BuzzBallz Phenomenon: Product Details and Market Impact

BuzzBallz’s success was not just a story of ownership; it was a story of a product that stood out in a crowded market. The brand managed to carve a niche for itself by offering a unique combination of convenience, potency, and novelty.

The Product That Changed the RTD Game

The core BuzzBallz product is instantly recognizable due to its signature spherical plastic container. This design was not arbitrary; it was intended to be durable, portable, and easily recyclable, addressing a market need for a convenient, ready-to-go drink. * High Alcohol by Volume (ABV): Most BuzzBallz cocktails contain 15% ABV, a significantly higher alcohol content compared to most traditional canned cocktails, hard seltzers, or beer. This potency is a key selling point for consumers seeking a stronger, pre-mixed drink. * Diverse Flavors: The brand offers over a dozen different flavors, catering to a wide range of palates. Popular options include Tequila 'Rita, Choc Tease, Watermelon Smash, and the wine-based line known as Chillers. * Innovation: The company’s ability to create a product that was both shelf-stable (not requiring refrigeration until opened) and made with natural ingredients further contributed to its widespread appeal and rapid growth.

BuzzBallz's Legacy in the Women-Owned Beverage Landscape

Before the Sazerac acquisition, BuzzBallz was a powerful symbol for women in the spirits industry. Its success helped shine a light on other women-owned beverage brands and the challenges they face. * Pioneering the Space: Merrilee Kick broke barriers by building a massive, vertically integrated company that encompassed distilling, winemaking, and brewing. This scale and scope were highly unusual for a woman-founded company in the sector. * Inspiring Future Brands: The success story paved the way for other women-owned ready-to-drink brands, such as Two Chicks Cocktails, which is also women-founded and run. These brands continue to advocate for diversity and equality, often supporting initiatives like Women's History Month and Equal Pay Day. * A Shift in Focus: While the ownership has changed, the legacy of a woman turning a simple idea into a half-billion-dollar enterprise remains an indelible part of the brand’s history, inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs, regardless of gender. In conclusion, while BuzzBallz is no longer officially a woman-owned company following the Sazerac acquisition in 2024, its entire foundation, innovation, and explosive growth are the direct result of the vision and determination of its founder, Merrilee Kick. The brand’s current success is built on the strong entrepreneurial roots of a woman who saw a gap in the market and created a globally recognized phenomenon.