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Top 5 Nba Players With Businesses Outside Basketball
The NBA is one of the most lucrative sports leagues globally, offering players massive contracts and endorsement deals. However, many players recognize the importance of planning for life beyond basketball. By investing in businesses, these athletes not only secure their financial future but also diversify their interests and build legacies that transcend the court. Here, we explore five NBA players who have successfully ventured into business, showcasing their entrepreneurial spirit and ability to thrive in multiple arenas.
1. LeBron James – King of the Court and Boardroom
LeBron James is more than a basketball superstar; he is a business mogul. With a net worth exceeding $1 billion, LeBron has leveraged his status and earnings to create an empire spanning various industries.
Key Businesses and Investments:
- SpringHill Company: Co-founded by LeBron, SpringHill Company is a media production firm behind projects like Space Jam: A New Legacy and the critically acclaimed The Shop: Uninterrupted.
- Blaze Pizza: LeBron invested in this fast-casual pizza chain in 2012 and has since become a franchise owner and brand ambassador. Blaze Pizza has grown rapidly, with hundreds of locations globally.
- Fenway Sports Group: In 2021, LeBron acquired a minority stake in Fenway Sports Group, which owns the Boston Red Sox, Liverpool FC, and other sports assets.
- Real Estate Ventures: LeBron owns several multi-million-dollar properties, including a $36 million mansion in Beverly Hills.
LeBron’s business acumen reflects his mantra: “More Than an Athlete.” His ventures empower him to influence industries ranging from sports to entertainment, cementing his legacy as a cultural icon.
2. Shaquille O’Neal – A Big Man with Big Business Moves
Shaquille O’Neal, affectionately known as Shaq, is a Hall of Fame center whose off-court ventures are as impressive as his basketball career. Shaq's infectious personality and business instincts have turned him into a marketing and investment powerhouse.
Key Businesses and Investments:
- Franchise Ownership: Shaq owns or has owned numerous franchises, including over 150 Five Guys restaurants, 17 Auntie Anne’s pretzel shops, and several Krispy Kreme outlets.
- Shaq’s Fun House: This is an annual music festival and carnival that combines entertainment with Shaq’s larger-than-life persona.
- Endorsements and Licensing: Shaq’s face is associated with countless brands, including Icy Hot, The General, and Papa John’s, where he also sits on the board of directors.
- Technology Investments: O’Neal has invested in tech companies such as Google (early on) and Ring, the home security system later acquired by Amazon.
Shaq’s secret to success? Diversification and a willingness to learn. He’s famously quoted as saying, “It’s not about how much money you make. It’s about how much money you keep.”
3. Kevin Durant – Building Wealth Through Smart Investments
Kevin Durant is a two-time NBA champion and a savvy entrepreneur. Durant’s venture capital firm, Thirty Five Ventures, has allowed him to tap into the world of startups and innovation, turning his basketball earnings into generational wealth.
Key Businesses and Investments:
- Thirty Five Ventures: Co-founded with business partner Rich Kleiman, this firm invests in companies across technology, media, and sports. Notable investments include Postmates, Robinhood, and Acorns.
- Boardroom: Durant’s media platform focuses on the intersection of sports, business, and culture. It delivers content that appeals to athletes and entrepreneurs alike.
- Professional Soccer: In 2020, Durant acquired a minority stake in Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union, highlighting his interest in expanding into global sports markets.
- Endorsements and Partnerships: Durant has endorsement deals with Nike, which has produced his signature KD shoe line, and has also partnered with companies like Coinbase and Weedmaps.
Durant’s meticulous approach to business mirrors his playing style: calculated, efficient, and impactful.
4. Michael Jordan – The Blueprint for Athlete Entrepreneurs
Michael Jordan, widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, has set the standard for athlete entrepreneurs. Since retiring from the NBA, Jordan has turned his brand into a global powerhouse, amassing a net worth of over $2 billion.
Key Businesses and Investments:
- Jordan Brand: A subsidiary of Nike, Jordan Brand generates billions annually. Jordan earns a significant percentage from sales, making it his most lucrative venture.
- Charlotte Hornets: Jordan became the majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets in 2010, marking him as one of the few African-American majority owners in professional sports.
- Endorsements: Even years after retiring, Jordan remains a marketing icon, with deals ranging from Hanes to Gatorade.
- Cigar and Tequila Business: In 2020, Jordan co-founded Cincoro Tequila with other NBA owners, further diversifying his portfolio.
Jordan’s ability to turn his on-court dominance into off-court success has inspired countless athletes to pursue business opportunities.
5. Stephen Curry – Mastering Basketball and Business Innovation
Stephen Curry, the NBA’s greatest shooter, has taken his precision and vision to the business world. Curry’s ventures reflect his values, focusing on innovation, philanthropy, and storytelling.
Key Businesses and Investments:
- Unanimous Media: This production company, co-founded by Curry, creates content centered on family, faith, and sports. Projects include films, TV shows, and digital series.
- SC30 Inc.: Curry’s brand management firm oversees his investments, partnerships, and philanthropic initiatives.
- Endorsements and Product Lines: Curry’s endorsement deal with Under Armour includes the Curry Brand, a line of footwear and apparel. This partnership has helped Under Armour compete with industry giants like Nike and Adidas.
- Tech and Food Startups: Curry has invested in companies such as Guild Education, Tonal, and Eat Just, showcasing his commitment to innovative solutions.
Curry’s dual focus on business and social impact demonstrates that success isn’t just about profits but also purpose.
Conclusion
The NBA is no longer just a sports league; it’s a platform for building global influence and wealth. Players like LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal, Kevin Durant, Michael Jordan, and Stephen Curry exemplify how athletes can thrive as entrepreneurs, diversifying their portfolios and redefining the term "athlete."
By leveraging their fame, resources, and networks, these players have established themselves as influential figures in industries far beyond basketball. Their stories inspire not just fellow athletes but anyone aspiring to combine passion, skill, and entrepreneurship to achieve greatness.
Whether it’s investing in tech startups, owning franchises, or creating media empires, these NBA players prove that the game never truly ends—it evolves.
