Kevin Durant is the epitome of achievement. Often counted amongst the top basketball players of his generation, the Phoenix Suns’ star is a household name, a celebrated basketball star, and a three-time Olympic gold medalist. Durant has made a name for himself owing to his skills on the court and the records he has broken. During this time the 35-year-old has made many connections and is known to have a keen eye for business opportunities. However, it was seven years ago, in July 2016, when KD made a move that surprised one and all.
Basketball fans were surprised when Durant announced his decision to move to California and play for the Golden State Warriors on a two-year, $54.3 million contract. While the news’s impact on the NBA world was immense, it was also Durant?s choice as his medium of expression that piqued interest.
The Kevin Durant- Derek Jeter Connection
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Durant, while announcing this move, chose a media platform called the Players Tribune. It is important to note that this platform was founded by none other than the legendary New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter. According to a Reddit post, it was the Captain who was involved in Durant?s decision to move to California and leave the Oklahoma City Thunder.
As per the post, it is claimed that Jeter was in attendance during a game between the Golden State Warriors and the LA Clippers in November 2015. Along with Jeter, the famous rapper and CEO of Rock Nation Sports, Jay Z was also present. Roc Nation is the company that manages KD.
Jeter and KD linked up at the World Series pic.twitter.com/v0QFJ90hoY
? Talkin’ Yanks (@TalkinYanks) November 2, 2023
While it is only speculation if Jeter was the one who pushed Durant or influenced Durant’s decision to join the Golden State Warriors, Captain Clutch certainly had some sort of unique relationship with the basketball star. Now, seven years later, this has again stirred speculations as both KD and Jeter were spotted together at the World Series 2023.
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The deeper meaning behind KD’s move
Durant’s choice to announce his move on the Players Tribune has more to it than his relationship with Jeter. It highlighted a simple truth: athletes no longer depend on the media to connect with their fans. Durant and many other athletes, before and after him, have used social media or other forms of communication that transcend traditional media in a bid to reach out directly to their fans. It also highlighted the eroding relationship between the media and the players.
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In a fast-changing social atmosphere, sports have not been left behind. Some of these changes can raise questions, while others can be celebrated. But there are some clear takeaways: players want direct communication with their fans. The growing trend of current or former players being entrepreneurs is here to stay, and cross-sports relationships can be a dynamic aspect in the future. As Jeter and Durant gel along during the World Series, they certainly are at the helm of a changing landscape.
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