LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving step outside the box of an athlete to craft a life post-career.
Overtime Athletes have begun to step outside the box of their respective fields to pursue another business acumen, whether its IPO’s, investing in start-ups or starting digital media companies, a defining change has transcended the sports world for years to come. Traditionally, athletes are pigeon-holed and are defined by what they do in their sport. Now in the ripe year of 2020, the culture of sport + business has evolved tremendously.
The Boardroom launched by Kevin Durant, RIch Kleiman, and Jay Williams
Several professional athletes like LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving have set the standards for building a business to grow for your post-career. Whether it’s setting up a digital media network in Uninterrupted, or developing an investment portfolios like ThirtyFiveVentures, or launching a video content platform in PlayersTV. The day in professional sports will come when athletes will make decisions that set them up for years to come. The average NBA career is 4.5 years, which is one NBA contract. The reality is that the future of pro sports will change, forcing the athletes to start thinking about post-career options. As the career goals of star athletes begin to change, they must think about what their future entails.
“How well you play on the court determines how big your business grows. ”
The implications of the global pandemic have changed the way our sports and entertainment business will run for years to come. With the exclusion of fan experiences, virtual events and meetings, its time for athletes to think creatively and fund their passions outside the sport. Here’s a glimpse of notable professionals athletes or what I like to phrase the term “Athlete-Preneur” and some of their business acumen off the court. Brooklyn’s Kevin Durant has used his time off the court to focus on his business in New York City.
1. Kevin Durant - Brooklyn Nets Forward, Co-Founder ThirtyFive Ventures
Kevin Durant has become a household name in the NBA. Now entering his 13th season, Durant has crafted a unique business off-court. The development of his company ThirtyFive Ventures includes a diverse investment portfolio in tech, media, and start-ups. Co-founded with his Manager Rich Kleiman, the two have created a team that is responsible for Durant's endorsements, philanthropic work, digital media network, and brand. Their unique investment portfolio includes the MLS club Philadelphia Union, Postmates, and Master + Dynamic.
Thirty5media
Brooklyn’s Kevin Durant Co-founded ThirtyFive Ventures with his Manager Rich Kleiman
On the digital content side, The Boardroom has become widely recognized across the sports media world, featuring some of the sports most iconic figures, including Jay Williams, Stephen A. Smith, Rich Paul, and more. Rich Kleiman recently created the Out Of Office Podcast, where he has candid conversations with the greatest minds in the sports business. Thirty-five Ventures has teamed up with Cadence 13, a New York-based podcast company responsible for audio distribution, monetization, and audience development. Durant also launched his podcast The ETCs with co-host Eddie Gonzalez. The first episode featured the 2016 NBA Champion Kyrie Irving.
“Our goal is to keep growing as a company and keep bringing ideas that are going to help change and push the culture forward ”
With all Durant’s unprecedented success on the court, he's recognized as one of the worlds wealthiest athletes. According to Forbes Magazine, Durant's current net worth includes his $225 million career earnings, $275 million Nike endorsement deal, plus his sponsorships. At the ripe age of 32, Durant is a Forbes 30 Under 30 alumni and is on the verge of creating a multi-million dollar media and investment empire.
2. LeBron James- LA Lakers Forward, Co-Founder Uninterrupted, SpringHill Company
LeBron James has become no stranger to the sports business, with the creation of his developing his digital media platform Uninterrupted. LeBron James and team anchored by business partner Maverick Carter, Ernie Ramos, and Paul Rivera. James is a unique case study for athletes setting a blueprint and creating a business off the court. Before LeBron played an NBA game, Nike offered him a $90 million. Throughout his career, James help built the Nike business with over $340 Million in sales. Now James is building SpringHill Company with his partner Carter, developing several verticals, including SpringHill Entertainment, Uninterrupted, and The Robot Company.
The SpringHill Company signs a four-year deal with Universal Pictures. LeBron James and business partner Maverick Carter built Uninterrupted.
“he’s a risk-taker, he takes risks on everything. He’s just willing to go for something. You have to be otherwise, what are we doing here?”
3. Kyrie Irving- Brooklyn Nets Guard, The PlayersTV
Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving has joined an alliance with star NFL and NBA athletes to launch a video content platform PlayersTV. PlayersTV is an athlete lifestyle TV network, where athletes work collaboratively to create, produce, and distribute content to millions of their fans globally. Irving serves as the companies creative visionary officer, responsible for the content strategy and distribution of marketing material. Given the unique climate of our world, players like Irving and McCullom aim to create platforms that will amplify their voices in hopes of providing sustainable impact. Irving produces a one-hour TV special titled #SAYHERNAME calling for justice in the Breonna Taylor Case. Athletes are entrepreneurs by design and are changing the culture of business. It will be intriguing the see how things unfold for Irving, Durant, and James with the expansions of their ventures or the next hand-full of professional athletes.
“PlayersTV is a video-content network and I serve as the Creative Visionary Officer. So I’m responsible for the content strategy, along with the branding aspect. ”
