New York Liberty Star Jonquel Jones Gets State Farm Ad Treatment [Video]

Forty years ago, it was a big deal when Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton became the first female athlete to be featured on the front of a Wheaties cereal box, a consumer-culture laurel reserved for the highest achievers in sports.

The Wheaties placement of today is to be part of a recurring national advertising campaign that is known for featuring the best and brightest in sports. This year, the State Farm year-end ad campaign includes Jonquel Jones, the 6-foot-6 forward for the WNBA‘s New York Liberty who in October led the team to the first championship in its 27-year history. She was named Finals MVP.

Jones appears in the cheeky spot that revolves around auto insurance, a damaged sports car, New York Liberty legend and ESPN commentator Rebecca Lobo and the team’s free-spirited mascot, Ellie the Elephant. And of course, Jake from State Farm, the amiable insurance rep in a red polo shirt and tan khakis …