The 50 Most Successful Athlete Entrepreneurs of All-Time Garrett Parker 10 months ago

It is one thing to be successful in the sports field; it is quite another to be successful in business. Not all athletes handle the transition from sports-star to cooperate-leader but are plain to see for those who do the bonuses. Many stars like splashing their names across a couple of shoes, while others like to use their fame for philanthropic projects, others like to raise their sporting wages by wise investments. Regardless of how they choose to make their dough they do with athletes who are now regularly ranked among the richest in the world, it’s time to look at what makes a regular sportsman a global success story with a rundown of all time’s top 50 athlete entrepreneurs. 50.

Brad Pyatt You may have heard the name MusclePharm before, but did you know that the guy behind the giant supplement is actually Brad Pyatt’s former NFL star? In 2008, Pyatt helped found the company and is credited as one of the world’s leading brands of sports supplements. After serving as CEO and president of the company for eight years, Pyatt resigned in 2016 from MusclePharm just eight months after an investigation into the financial irregularities of the company.

49. Marques Harris

As a real estate mogul life coach and motivational speaker he has enjoyed considerable success since he retired from the game former American Footballer Marques Harris. He currently sits on the board of directors for the Athletes for Care charitable foundation, whose mission is to help athletes leverage their influence to give back and build meaningful business relationships through Career transitions. 48. Rosevelt Colvin

After a 10-year diet of broiled chicken and broccoli former linebacker for the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots Rosevelt Colvin may be forgiven for chucking the healthy options in for some well-deserved treats. Unlike many football players who simply indulged their own sweet tooth Colvin saw an opportunity to reward both himself and his neighbors: in 2009 he and his wife joined forces to open a cake shop in Indianapolis for SweeTies Gourmet Treats. Even though his fans are less enthusiastic about his pastries than they were about his sacks, he doesn’t need to worry too much; his financial fortunes are already secure thanks to the two lucrative UPS stores he opened in 2008. 47.

Craig Bellamy If you wondered how athletes finance their lavish lifestyles at the end of their sporting careers, the answer lies in a little business acumen and a strong belief in philanthropy, at least if former British soccer player Craig Bellamy is something to go through. Bellamy is a prime example of what can be done with a compassionate nature and a popular name- he created the Craig Bellamy Foundation in 2008, an organization that seeks to place soccer alongside education to help alleviate poverty in some of Sierra Leone’s most disadvantaged communities. Sadly, Bellamy’s bookkeeping skills were not quite equal to his soccer abilities, and in 2016, after some financial irregularities had been discovered, the charity’s operations were halted. Nevertheless, Bellamy has served as an academy coach in Cardiff Football club ownership of the Cardiff Combat MMA gym and a commentary gig with Sky Sports. 46.

Gagan Narang

Gagan Narang is both honored to be the first Indian to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics and recognized as one of India’s rising entrepreneurs. His Guns for Glory shooting academy provides one of the country’s best sporting infrastructures and is responsible for bringing together the talents of various world-class coaches physiotherapists sport injury management teams and others with the shared goal of producing India’s next-generation shooting star.Indian tennis player Paes bought an Olympic Gold medal at home in 1996 and thanks to the accomplishments of his sports management business Leander Sports, he has continued to do his nation proud. The company’s diverse activities, established in 2005, include social sports media content and sports infrastructure. According to Entrepreneur Paes, he has also developed a reputation as an accomplished motivational speaker and shared his words of wisdom with the staff of a number of global corporations including Microsoft and Nestle. A partnership with IMG-Reliance completes his resume, while a move into animation and fashion includes future plans. 43.

Randy Flores

Randy Flores started his career with the New York Yankees in 2002, and has gained praise for his entrepreneurial abilities since the end of his playing career. In addition to providing on-air commentary as an analyst for ESPN and PAC-12 Network Flores has coached for USC and has established its own OnDeckDigital company. The organization is capitalizing on video capture technology to give players and analysts a chance to evaluate game play. The company has been a major hit with MLB clubs scouting departments since its launch, while Flores has enjoyed similar fortunes as Cardinal’s Scouting Manager himself. 42. 42. Kevin Seraphin

There is no questioning the power of social media by French basketball player Kevin Seraphin. In 2014 Seraphin released a photo editing software for Thorolgraffix, which allows users to edit their social media offerings via masking filters and various other effects. The app was a runaway success: as CISION estimates it reached more than 10,000 downloads within the first few days of its launch. Seraphin is now seeking further expansion of his empire, and is currently testing a new Looks social networking app. 41.

Kristi Yamaguchi Throughout her time as a professional skater, Kristi Yamaguchi has achieved what all athletes aspire to achieve but few: an Olympic Gold Medal. In addition to her success in the ring Yamaguchi with her very own fashion brand Tsu.ya has claimed considerable success. Despite a portion of the brand’s proceeds going to Yamaguchi’s Always Dream Foundation (a charity set up to promote childhood literacy and education), Yamaguchi still sees her fair share of the fortune as she can boast the title of one of the richest women athletes in the world at a net worth of $8 million. 40.

Saina Nehwal

Saina Nehwal’s sports field prowess has turned her into a national treasure. The badminton star can claim first (and so far only) Indian badminton player to win an Olympic medal; the only Indian to win medals at each major BWF individual event; the only Indian woman to win World No 1 ranking; and the first Indian badminton player to win the All England Open finals. Nehwal has also racked up a fair share of business glory along with her sporting achievements: her first venture came with an investment in health start-up Paree (which she also endorses) and since then she has created her own line of sportswear in partnership with Yonex. 39. 39. Daniel Wilcox

Have you ever wondered what a tight NFL end will do after you retire? In Daniel Wilcox’s case, the answer is to be successful. Since quitting the game in 2008 Wilcox started to roll out plans to dominate the business world. A year later he launched a remodeling company, Mr. 83 Degreez Renovation and Designs, named after the number 83 he wore on his football jersey. In 2010 the event planning and design company Stickly continued its ambitions with a second business. He has maintained close ties with the game and at Georgia State University, according to Go Banking Rates, currently plays the role of director of player staff and recruiting. 38.

Abhinav Bindra It would be forgiven as the only Indian to win gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics Abhinav Bindra for spending the rest of his years dwelling on past glories. The talented athlete, however, has more potential than that; he not only owns Abhinav Futuristic an Indian business with interests in the sports fitness and health sectors (and somewhat bizarrely an deal with Walther Arms to produce his rifles in India) but also owns a $2 million VC incubation fund for Shooting Star LLP that supports startups. 37.

As he formed Crest Computer Supply Company in 1984, Gale Sayers

Gale Sayers (or The Kansas Comet as he was known during his NFL career) explored the promise of the dawning computer age. Just ten years later, the company generated $55.3 million in sales, a fortune that undoubtedly contributed $50 million net worth to Sayers. Irish car legend Eddie Jordan won several track successes in the 1970s including winning the Formula Atlantic Championship with Marlboro and appearing in Formula 3 2 and 1. Unhappy with a life behind the wheel Jordan took center stage in the early 1980s when he set up his own Eddie Jordan Racing racing team. The team went on to achieve multiple championship wins for Jordan who, with the founding of the world-famous Jordan Grand Prix, took his career to next level in 1990. Jordan has achieved great success as a sports pundit and journalist since the sale of Jordan Grand Prix in 2005. 34.

Shaquille O Neal

Shaquille O Neal’s giant size may have put the fear of god in his enemies during his NFL career but nowadays O Neal loves bringing up the fear of his business rivals instead. O Neal has built up a healthy portfolio that includes 155 restaurants at Five Guys for forty 24 Hour Fitness Gyms and multiple tech investments. Add a controlling interest in the O Neal Group (a real estate investment firm) to the list and it is clear why O Neal is a proposal in the boardroom just as fierce as he was on the field. 33. 33. David Robinson

You know the name David Robinson if you follow Basketball. If you don’t, due to his subsequent business successes, you may still have heard of the former Olympic medalist. Robinson previously held a board position at the USAA Federal Savings Bank and currently co-owns Admiral Capital Group as a community development and real estate management company. 32.

Kevin Durant Although he considers himself a hooper before anything else, others are quick to wake up to basketball star Kevin Durant’s entrepreneurial talents. Durant Co., its co-owned venture with manager and business partner Rich Kleiman, has investments in over 30 companies including Skydio JetSmarter and Yoshi tech start-ups and CerraCap Ventures, a venture capital firm. The basketball legend also has stakes in numerous eateries, from a fine dining restaurant in New York to the pizza chain Pieology as reported on Hoops Hype. It doesn’t stop there, as well as having created his own entertainment company Thirty Five Entertainment, Durant has invested an app that shows highlights from up-and-coming high school athletes in overtime. 31.

Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony, a former professional basketball player, has enjoyed nearly as much success from court as he did on it. He signed for 6 years with Nike’s Jordan brand in 2003 for a whopping $3.5 million a year. The first signature shoe the Jordan Carmelo 1.5 hit the stores the next year, 14 years later the Melo collection is able to rack up to date 13 launches. Anthony has also played a role in community outreach; his North American Soccer League expansion club Puerto Rico FC was founded in 2015 as a way to help underprivileged children develop through football as well as offering Anthony the opportunity for long-term investment revenue. 30. 30. Tom Brady

Some people get all the luck. Tom Brady is not only married to a supermodel, he is also considered a hugely successful businessman among football fans as a living legend. Brady has essentially turned his name into a brand and can now boast a bestselling book (The TB12 Method: How to Achieve a Lifetime of Sustained Peak Performance) and multiple TV and film appearances on a highly successful website. He’s also racked up his fair share of endorsements; Forbes has credited himself in 2014 alone for pulling in $7 million in endorsement deals. 29.-

Steph Curry American basketball player Steph Curry can boast of not one but two tech startups being co-owned: Slyce and Coachup. Slyce was introduced in conjunction with Bryant Barr and Jason Mayden, the two Nike executives. The company provides a platform to enhance communication between players and their fans to enable messaging exchange and play relevant content. CoachUp meanwhile serves as a private coaching app, partnering with athletes with personal trainers and coaches. 28.-

Greg Norman

Norman managed to win more than 90 tournaments and 20 PGA Tour events during his tenure as a golfing pro. Since leaving the golf course behind Norman, the success of his multinational cooperation with the Greg Norman Company has continued to pull in the wins thanks in no small part. As mentioned, the company is likely to turn a profit from clothing and consumer products into asset-based lending and the design of golf courses in almost every pie.Former American cornerback football turned angel technology investor Shawntae Spencer has a resume that would make even the best of us green with envy. After leaving the game in 2013, Spencer started investing heavily in startups starting with Zana’s educational platform and taking 11 more companies on the way to his latest investment with HomeToGo, a German holiday rental firm. If the stress of his multiple ventures proves too much he won t have far to travel for some light relief: according to his LinkedIn profile Spencer is currently a medical marijuana producer and dispensary in Pennsylvania sitting on the board of directors for Maitri Medicinals. 25.

Chris Paul

Consistently ranked by Forbes as one of the world’s highest paid athletes Chris Paul has a comprehensive list of his name’s endorsements including sponsorships with Nike State Farm Tissot Hook Albert and Muzik. This year the point guard from Houston Rockets secured his fortunes for good when he and his Oh Dipp!!! Manufacturing company partnered with live PD producer Big Fish Entertainment to develop new digital content and entertainment. Project plans are already in progress and there is some discussion about whether Paul can host one or two of the shows himself. Whether he does it or not, his bright future is beyond doubt. 24. 24. Rick Mirer

For this former NFL qb, playing for 7 different teams over the course of a 12-year career would be enough to drive anyone to drink. Mirer has enjoyed a prosperous second career as a winemaker since quitting the game in 2004 and currently co-owns the Mirror Wine Company a winery established by Napa County in 2008. However, Mirer does not get the luxury of drinking all the profits; the Mirer Family Foundation receives a percentage of all wine sales proceeds. With CNBC reporting an average retail price of between $75 and $90 per bottle, the foundation is unlikely to face any time soon financial difficulties. 23.

Masters champion Tiger Woods 2019 will claim to be much more than just the world’s greatest golfer. In 2006 Woods announced the launch of a design company, Tiger Woods Design, which would provide the basis for Woods ambition to carry out a global chain of golf courses. Al Ruwaya Golf Course in Dubai was scheduled to be the company’s initial project. Unfortunately the project ran into problems early on and the New York Times announced it was shelved in 2011. Thanks in part to the global economy’s general decline in 2009 and the Woods infidelity scandal of the same year, follow-up ventures suffered similar fates. His best-selling golf instruction manual How I Play Golf; his 2017 autobiography The 1997 Masters: My Story; his own headphone line; ownership of The Woods Jupiter restaurant and lucrative partnerships with the likes of Rolex Nike and Upper Deck are still racking up the hits on the bright side. 22.-

Arnold Palmer

In recognition of his sporting prowess, professional golfer Arnold Palmer is widely regarded as one of the best players in the history of golf, even earning himself the nickname The King. Following his retirement, Palmer took it upon himself to turn his home town of Orlando into a recreational playground and golfing paradise. This desire extended to the construction of one of the key destinations on the Bay Hill Club and Lodge PGA tour that Palmer owned until his death in 2016. In addition to designing more than 300 golf courses across 37 countries, 25 countries and five continents, Palmer also ventured into the food and beverage sector when he launched his eponymous sweet iced tea to massive success in 2001. 21. 21. Dave Bing

Dave Bing retired from the professional basketball world in 1978, after a long career spanning seven All-star seasons. Nevertheless, he did not take his retirement too seriously 2 years after the last time he hanged his jersey, he created Bing Steel a steel and manufacturing company that would see annual profits of over $40 million within just 5 years of existence. In 1980 the company transformed a base of manufacturing companies into the Bing Group and became one of Michigan’s largest steel conglomerates. Bing joined the political arena in 2008 when he announced his intent to run in the 2009 Detroit mayoral election. Bing won the election, and his duties continued until 2013. Unfortunately, Bing’s career in office was slightly less auspicious than his career at the basketball court, Detroit becoming the largest city in the history of the US to file for bankruptcy during his term. 20.

Ion Tiriac Ion Tiriac Former professional tennis player and Ion Tiriac Olympic hockey player can add a new title to his resume: tycoon. The Romanian has accrued a net worth of $1.1 billion thanks to profitable investment in real estate banking insurance and oil, according to Forbes. He also holds a minority stake in Allianz- Tiriac, a Romanian insurance company. 19.

Kobe Bryant

In 2016 Kobe Bryant officially retired from the game after a 20-year career with the Lakers basketball legend. That same year Forbes named him among the richest under-40 entrepreneurs. Bryant’s current wealth owes a lot to the $68 million in wages and endorsements he pulled in during his career, but a fair share of his net worth of $400 million can also be attributed to the business ventures he pursued after leaving the game. His activities have been numerous and include a role as global ambassador for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup in China, a now-folded independent record label and, most importantly, a $200 million stake in Kobe Inc, an investment company aimed at acquiring and developing brands in the sporting industry. Bryant also co-owns Bryant- Stibel, a venture capital operation that has invested in more than a dozen different startups since its establishment, including the hugely successful Legal Zoom and Alibaba Group. The younger Williams sister is a double threat; she is not only one of the world’s best female tennis players she is also a very successful (and very wealthy) businesswoman. Williams has racked up endorsement deals with Puma Nike Gatorade Chase Bank and OPI likes since the early 2000s. She is currently sitting as the Chief Sporting Officer for Aston Martin, a luxury automotive manufacturer, and as one of SurveyMonkey’s directors. If that wasn’t enough to keep her busy, Williams can also claim her own clothing line (Aneres), a nail polish range (Hair Tech) with various cameos on TV and film, and a large stake in the Miami Dolphins as reported by ESPN. 16.

Eddie George

After nine years and four straight trips to the Pro Bowl, the former running back Eddie George finished his professional football career. After retiring George has made good use of his MBA from Kellogg’s School of Management at Northwestern University with achievements that span the political and commercial philanthropy. George became spokesperson for the GetFitTN program of Tennessee in 2006 (an initiative aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle and preventing diabetes) and a year later he used his household name status to campaign for the presidential bid of Barak Obama. In between projects George has found time to develop EDGE a leading landscape design company that has overseen such major projects as the John Glenn Columbus International Airport in Ohio and Hocking College Energy Institute. 15.15. Magic Johnson

Since quitting the game in 1996 the former basketball player has achieved enormous success as magic in business as he was on the court. Johnson s off- court activities have included hosting duties on his own talk show The Magic Hour (although admittedly Johnson proved slightly less successful as a host than as a pitcher and the show was cancelled within just 2 months of airing) motivational speaking founding a record label and running Magic Johnson Enterprises a conglomerate that includes a chain of movie theaters a promotional company and a film studio. In 1994, when he became a minority stakeholder in the Lakers, Johnson returned to his old stomping ground In 2012 he sold his interests in the club but stayed on as unpaid Vice President. For add for his portfolio Johnson will claim a controlling interest in the Los Angeles Football Club’s EquiTrust Life co-ownership and several real estate investments. 14.

Wayne Gretzky When it comes to business, Wayne Gretzky is one of the most productive hockey players. Gretzky has made a fortune by joining companies including Coca-Cola Sharp and Domino’s Pizza since leaving the game. His most profitable endorsement to date has been with EA Sports video games Gretzy NHL. He s also been making a few bucks from his Canadian restaurant ventures while his position as partner and vice-chairman of Oilers Entertainment Group is likely to be propping up his bank account nicely. To top it off Gretzky can claim the honor dubious though it may be of an appearance in a Nickelback music video. I m not sure how many hockey players would want to boast the same but there s little doubting how many would want a chance at his $200 million fortune. 13.

Roger StaubachIn 1972 Vinnie Johnson began her career. Johnson retired from the game in 1992 after achieving multiple hits on the pitch. His retirement plans did not include beating a quiet retreat to the golf club unlike many former players. Instead Johnson decided to try his hand in business starting with Piston Automotive’s launch in 1995. Since its inception, the company that specializes in the manufacture and supply of automotive parts systems and assemblies has seen astronomical growth and can now boast more than 850 employees across eight national facilities. Johnson’s aspirations did not end with automotive parts but today he can claim bragging right as Chairman and CEO of the umbrella organization Piston Group a company with over 10,000 employees 2.3 m facilities and $2.88 billion in revenues. Not bad for an old man called The Microwave. 7.

Maria Sharapova

If you thought athletes lived off broiled chicken, think again about broccoli. Lately, Maria Sharapova has lived quite handsomely off the proceeds of her creation of candy, the not quite eponymous Sugarpova. A dozen different-flavored candies with such saccharine names as Flirty Splashy and Smitten feature on the confectionery line. Before you scoff too heartily you should know that a portion of all sales go to the Maria Sharapova Foundation, a charitable organization that awards scholarships to children from Belarus affected by the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl. Sharapova lends her name to numerous brands, including Nike Prince and Canon, as well as acting as the face of several fashion houses alongside her charitable work. In 2010 she launched the Nike Maria Sharapova Collection with her own line of tennis apparel while simultaneously designing a line of shoes and handbags for the fashion brand Cole Hann. 6. Tony Hawk

In order to know the name Tony Hawk, you don’t have to be a skateboarding fan, but then again Hawk’s rise to household name status owes more to his business acumen than to his ability to pull off the perfect 900. The skateboarding legend s first experience of the corporate world came with his line of licensed video games and he s since gone on to see success with Boom Boom Huck-Jam a show tour featuring freestyle skateboarding and BMX; amusement park rides; a Youtube channel; endorsement of everything from clothing lines to bikes and multiple film and TV appearances. He has also worked extensively with his philanthropic The Tony Hawk Foundation group, which has contributed more than $5.8 million to build safe and legal skate parks across the U.S. 4.

Oscar De La Hoya It would not be the initiative of many athletes to start their own promotional company, but I think Oscar De La Hoya is not like most other athletes. Throughout his career as a professional boxer De La Hoya racked up multiple world titles in six weight classes earning him the title of Box’s 9th best boxer of all time, according to CBS, the former boxer is ready to fight Trump in the 2020 election battle. Now that’s a fight I think we’re all paying for seeing it. 4.

LeBron JamesIn 1972 Vinnie Johnson began her career. Johnson retired from the game in 1992 after achieving multiple hits on the pitch. His retirement plans did not include beating a quiet retreat to the golf club unlike many former players. Instead Johnson decided to try his hand in business starting with Piston Automotive’s launch in 1995. Since its inception, the company that specializes in the manufacture and supply of automotive parts systems and assemblies has seen astronomical growth and can now boast more than 850 employees across eight national facilities. Johnson’s aspirations did not end with automotive parts but today he can claim bragging right as Chairman and CEO of the umbrella organization Piston Group a company with over 10,000 employees 2.3 m facilities and $2.88 billion in revenues. Not bad for an old man called The Microwave. 7.

Maria Sharapova

If you thought athletes lived off broiled chicken, think again about broccoli. Lately, Maria Sharapova has lived quite handsomely off the proceeds of her creation of candy, the not quite eponymous Sugarpova. A dozen different-flavored candies with such saccharine names as Flirty Splashy and Smitten feature on the confectionery line. Before you scoff too heartily you should know that a portion of all sales go to the Maria Sharapova Foundation, a charitable organization that awards scholarships to children from Belarus affected by the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl. Sharapova lends her name to numerous brands, including Nike Prince and Canon, as well as acting as the face of several fashion houses alongside her charitable work. In 2010 she launched the Nike Maria Sharapova Collection with her own line of tennis apparel while simultaneously designing a line of shoes and handbags for the fashion brand Cole Hann. 6. Tony Hawk

In order to know the name Tony Hawk, you don’t have to be a skateboarding fan, but then again Hawk’s rise to household name status owes more to his business acumen than to his ability to pull off the perfect 900. The skateboarding legend s first experience of the corporate world came with his line of licensed video games and he s since gone on to see success with Boom Boom Huck-Jam a show tour featuring freestyle skateboarding and BMX; amusement park rides; a Youtube channel; endorsement of everything from clothing lines to bikes and multiple film and TV appearances. He has also worked extensively with his philanthropic The Tony Hawk Foundation group, which has contributed more than $5.8 million to build safe and legal skate parks across the U.S. 4.

Oscar De La Hoya It would not be the initiative of many athletes to start their own promotional company, but I think Oscar De La Hoya is not like most other athletes. Throughout his career as a professional boxer De La Hoya racked up multiple world titles in six weight classes earning him the title of Box’s 9th best boxer of all time, according to CBS, the former boxer is ready to fight Trump in the 2020 election battle. Now that’s a fight I think we’re all paying for seeing it. 4.

LeBron JamesWhenever you use an online site to purchase or sell items you expose yourself to both honest and dishonest people. There have been some past violent crimes linked to Craigslist ads but these are very few. Still, you would avoid meeting a stranger in their homes alone or in a secluded location or out of the public’s eye for the sake of protection. Most of the reported complaints include scam rental ads investigating frauds and sellers collecting money and not sending out products they agreed to ship.

Scam Warnings

You should consult with your local chapter of the Better Business Bureau before using Craigslist Portland. You will note that on the web, they have identified current and previous scams from local people who have become victims of on-site fraudulent activity. If you know the name, they can give you insights on a business and let you know if there have been reports of unethical or unscrupulous business activities. Product / Service Guarantees

No product or service guarantees are provided when dealing with online ads. Craigslist shall not be held liable for any damage sustained by using the site. This is a situation where you have to make good use of your best judgment and avoid taking unnecessary risks.

Scams Craigslist Portland’s three most common scams are home-rental scams scalping scams and hiring movers. Cons steal pictures and details of homes listed on other sites for sale by realtors and use the information to post a fake rental ad for the home. They gather personal information about the identity theft rental application, and they make an excuse for not being able to meet the renter in person. All financial transactions for rent and deposit payment are done by Western Union or other wire transfer. After receiving the money all contact stops. When renters show up to move into the new home they discover that it’s not really for rent and they don’t work in the locks if they’ve been mailed keys. There are numerous scams for scalping too. Tickets for the event are available for sale on line at a discounted price. They look legitimate but they are told the tickets are invalid when the victims try to use them to gain entry to a venue. Either the number has already been used or the tickets are fake. The third most common scam is the scam on home movers. Con artists place advertisements offering people to move from one home to another. They deliver some of them after they gain access to personal items but steal valuables they can sell on the black market. It helps to check that a company is legitimate before entrusting your personal possessions or valuables to them. When you are dealing with strangers and when your money and your safety are involved, you can not be too careful. Facebook

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