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NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo has launched a venture capital firm. According to Bleacher Report, the Milwaukee Bucks player has introduced Build Your Legacy Ventures (BYL). The venture capital firm, backed by institutional investors and tech veterans, aims to funnel investments into the sports and entertainment sectors. As noted in a press release, the firm will be “driven by the Antetokounmpo family’s dedication to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.” “I’m incredibly energized to launch BYL Ventures as a way to give back and support the next generation of visionaries,” Antetokounmpo, founder and general partner of BYL Ventures, said in the release. “This fund is not just about capital; it’s about forging partnerships and opening my network to accelerate the growth trajectory for companies. I want to help other entrepreneurs, especially those who have faced barriers, to grow and succeed. BYL Ventures will be focused on finding people with big dreams and helping them make...
Angel Reese plans to retire her mother. Reese, born in Randallstown, MD, on May 6, 2002, to Michael Reese and Angel Webb Reese, has grown into an influential athlete, already making her mark in the WNBA by holding the record for most single-season rebounds — before being surpassed by A’ja Wilson. Reese’s athletic genes come from her parents , both of whom played basketball in college. Her mother, Angel Webb Reese, played for the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) and was inducted into its Athletics Hall of Fame, notes Today. She also had a professional career in Luxembourg. Michael Reese played at Boston College and Loyola University (Maryland) before competing overseas in Luxembourg, Austria, and Portugal, mentions USA Basketball. “My whole family played basketball. My aunts played basketball, my brother plays basketball, my grandparents played basketball. So, it kind of was like, ‘You’re gonna do this,’” Reese told Just Women’s Sports. Unsurprisingly, Reese picked up...
Russell Okung has no regrets about deciding to be paid in bitcoin. The two-time Pro Bowler previously played for the Carolina Panthers when he made history as the first NFL player to receive part of his salary in bitcoin, according to Sports Illustrated. In 2020, he decided to accept half of his $13 million salary in bitcoin, converting the $6.5 million at market rates and receiving 240 bitcoins. no more broke athletes. no more lost generational wealth. pay me in bitcoin pic.twitter.com/ZqTM0Y1fsC — OKUNG 🐆 (@RussellOkung) November 13, 2024 “I’m looking at Bitcoin. I’m talking to this young kid, young Silicon Valley type. We’re talking about me being paid in Bitcoin. I’m giving ’em the vision, but how will we do it,” Okung recalled in a video clip shared on X. “They’re not willing to adjust the collective bargaining agreement between the players and the owners. So what can I do to get the Carolina Panthers to play ball? Here’s the power of Bitcoin with U.S. dollars. You have to rely...
Whoopi Goldberg is launching a sports platform for women. During a taping of “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” she announced the launch of All Women’s Sports Network (AWSN), which has already broken ground in Asia, the Middle East, and India with the help of partners CommonSpirit and Jungo TV. “It’ll be the home for live women’s sports from around the world. Everything from soccer, basketball, tennis, cricket, curling — you name it. If a woman is playing it, we’re showing it,” Goldberg said on the show. Goldberg’s motivation for the network was planted when she was a child. She recalls a time when her brother would play a variety of sports, but she was often left out due to her gender, mentions Yahoo Sports. Throughout her career, she recalls engaging in conversations about how to move the needle in women’s sports. “Ever since I was a little kid, I always wanted to play sports. My brother could play … he played everything,” she explained. “So, for years, I’ve been talking to...
A handful of Michael Jordan memorabilia has sold for millions. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, a jersey worn by the former Chicago Bulls star during a 45-point game in the 1996-1997 season sold for $4.7 million at auction. This met expectations, as the auction house Sotheby’s had projected it would sell for between $4 million and $6 million. “One of the finest Michael Jordan jerseys ever to come to auction, MJ wore this road-red jersey for 5 months and 17 games during the Chicago Bulls legendary 1996-1997 championship season,” Sotheby’s commented on Instagram. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sotheby's (@sothebys) Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s head of modern collectibles, commented to the Chicago Sun-Times: “This jersey symbolizes not just Michael Jordan at the height of his celebrity and prowess, but also a pivotal moment in basketball history. Today’s results highlight the enduring strength of the game-worn market, especially those pieces associated with Michael...
Snoop Dogg is a marketing machine. The rapper, who is also a serial entrepreneur and the owner and CEO of Death Row Records, kept himself busy over the summer as the torchbearer and NBC Special Correspondent during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Snoop Dogg’s screen time included travel with the U.S. men’s basketball team, which concluded with a segment about the team’s synergy in conversation with sports commentator Mike Tirico. He also shared some viral moments, including a swim lesson with 28-time Olympic medalist Michael Phelps and his attendance at the gymnastics qualifying round, which sparked a dance moment with Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles. Speaking of his appointment he told The Associated Press, “This opportunity was nothing but a chance for me to show the world what it’s supposed to look like when you put the right person in the right environment.” It appears NBC Sports’ coverage of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics has led to a significant boost for its parent company,...
Chiney Ogwumike has been a trailblazer in both sports and media. Ten years after being drafted as the No. 1 pick in the WNBA by the Connecticut Sun, Ogwumike has had numerous opportunities to reflect on her illustrious career, which began at Stanford University. According to her Stanford profile, she held the title of all-time leading scorer by the end of her time there. Her collegiate achievements include: Pac-10 All-Freshman Team (2011) Pac-10 Freshman of the Year (2011) Pac-12 Tournament MVP (2013) 3x Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year In October 2024, Ogwumike was inducted into Stanford Athletics’ Hall of Fame. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chiney (@chiney) Embracing It All Although talented in sports, Ogwumike initially dreamed of a career in politics and even considered becoming a lawyer. “I always loved politics. As a kid, my family would always catch me watching the news, not like cartoons. I was a super nerd,” she told AFROTECH™ in an interview. In college,...
Many NFL players shine on the field, but not all translate that success into thriving businesses — Zaire Franklin is making it happen. The Indianapolis Colts linebacker has teamed up with his longtime mentor, Eric Taylor, to open a Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard franchise. Taylor was coaching youth football in Philadelphia, PA, when he met a 9-year-old Franklin, and their bond quickly developed. While he acknowledges that it may sound “crazy” for an adult to have much in common with a younger person, that’s exactly what it was like when he met Franklin. “I think the basis and foundation of our relationship comes with the love of our grandmothers,” Taylor shared in an interview with AFROTECH™ . “At the time, when Zaire was a young guy, his grandmother was instrumental in his life. She was at all the football games, she was very supportive.” Taylor had a similar bond with his own grandmother, so when Franklin lost both his mother and grandmother just months apart in 2013, their...
Nikki Fargas and Keia Clarke are making history in the WNBA! According to Diverse Representation, the duo are currently the only Black women holding CEO or president roles in the league. Both women have proven to be enhancers to their respective teams. Since 2021, Fargas, a former University of Tennessee student athlete, has held the position of president of the Las Vegas Aces, bringing valuable experience from her tenure as head coach at Louisiana State University, where she led the team to six NCAA Tournament appearances, notes Just Women’s Sports. Speaking of her appointment in a news release, Fargas said, “We are going to do everything in our power to make our front office the best in the business and provide our players with all the tools they need to bring a championship to Las Vegas.” Fargas fulfilled that promise in 2022 when the Las Vegas Aces earned their first WNBA championship. What’s more, they doubled that feat by winning again in 2023. View this post on Instagram A...
Mathew Knowles was inspired to invest in a sports team due to a former Destiny’s Child member. On Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, Knowles graced the Main Stage during the Building Wealth Today for Tomorrow (BWTT) Financial Empowerment Summit at the UIC Forum in Chicago, IL. The event promoted wealth-building among the Black community through workshops moderated by local financial experts and insightful discussions from panelists, including Keke Palmer, Larenz Tate, and Knowles, among others. Photo Credit: Building Wealth Today for Tomorrow “Building Wealth Today for Tomorrow is the largest financial education program of its kind,” Chicago’s City Treasurer Melissa Conyears Ervin explained in a statement shared with AFROTECH™ . “It brings together experts and leaders from businesses, community organizations, and city, state, and federal agencies to lead workshops and discussions that help Chicagoans build a more financially secure future.” Knowles shared insights into his family history —...
Allyson Felix has created what she wished existed, centering women in a major way with her new sports management firm. The retired Olympic legend and sprinter has launched Always Alpha, the first management firm dedicated exclusively to women’s sports , supported by Dolphin. Founded by Felix, her longtime business partner and brother, Wes Felix, and sports executive Cosette Chaput, the firm “aims to empower modern women who are breaking barriers, owning their voices, and creating a better future on and off the field of play,” Dolphin shared in a press release. “Young athletes often ask me how I’ve diversified and consistently grown my business across marketing, media, entrepreneurship, venture, entertainment and impact,” Felix said in a statement. “Wes and I did it ourselves piece by piece, out of necessity — because there wasn’t another option for transforming our vision into reality.” She added, “With Always Alpha, we’re taking everything we learned and creating the modern...
JuJu Watkins is making major moves on and off the court. On Tuesday, 8, 2024, ESPN reported that the University of Southern California star — who recently entered her second season with the team — signed a multiyear contract extension with Nike , securing “one of the richest shoe endorsement deals in women’s basketball.” Watkins joined the Nike family as a high school senior in October 2022. At just 19, she has consistently exceeded expectations during her time with the Trojans, leading the team to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1994 in her first year, according to CBS Sports. She boasted averages of 27.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.3 steals per game, ranking second nationally in scoring, per the outlet. With 920 points, she made history as the all-time leading scorer among freshmen in Division I women’s basketball, surpassing San Diego State University’s Tina Hutchinson who had the previous record of 898 during the 1983-84 season. As Blavity reported, Watkins...
Coco Gauff has scored a new victory. The tennis star reigned supreme in her match at the China Open held in Beijing on Oct.6, 2024, against the Czech Republic’s Karolina Muchova, which led to a 6-1 6-3 victory. In the process, she has become the first American since Serena Williams to become a champion in the China Open, CNN reported. Furthermore, this brings her Women’s Tennis Association tour finals record to 8-1, per Blavity. “I‘m happy with the fight I showed during the past two weeks here in Beijing and very grateful to walk away with the @chinaopen title❤️. Thank you for all of the love and support! #Histimingisperfect #title,” Gauff, 20, wrote on Instagram. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Coco Gauff (@cocogauff) According to AS USA, Gauff also walks away with $1.1 million in prize earnings as a result of the match. She now adds to her $27.1 million net worth, which was last updated by Forbes on Aug. 23, 2024. At the time, this consisted of salary and winnings...
Mark Cuban believes it’s only a matter of time before an NBA player signs a $1 billion contract. The Dallas Mavericks’ minority owner shared his thoughts during an appearance on Shannon Sharpe’s “Club Shay Shay” podcast. When Sharpe asked if he thinks the world will ever see such a monumental deal, Cuban responded, “Yeah, but that presumes that TV keeps on going up the way it is. But, you’re going to see a hundred million dollars a year here shortly. Because if the TV contract has 10% increases in the cap, [which is] the way the CBA works. You saw Steph [Curry] had 62 million for one year… and it’s going to go crazier.” The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) defines the employment guidelines and agreements for all professional basketball players in the National Basketball Association, per its website . It also outlines the rights and responsibilities of the NBA Clubs, the NBA, and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA). Sharpe’s question was prompted by 25-year-old...
Reggie Bush is taking legal action against several organizations he claims failed to acknowledge his contributions when they benefited from his name, image, and likeness (NIL) . According to ESPN, Bush, a former USC running back and 2005 Heisman Trophy winner, announced the lawsuit on Monday against the university, the Pac-12, and the NCAA . His legal team claims the organizations profited significantly from Bush’s popularity through TV contracts, merchandise sales, and media rights — even after he went to the NFL. “This case is not just about seeking justice for Reggie Bush,” said attorney Evan Selik, per the outlet. “It’s about setting a precedent for the fair treatment of all college athletes. Our goal is to rectify this injustice and pave the way for a system where athletes are rightfully recognized, compensated, and treated fairly for their contributions.” Bush completed his college football career and entered the NFL draft in 2006, when the New Orleans Saints selected him as...