Apart from being an incredible basketball player, Kevin Durant is turning into an entrepreneur as well. The small forward from Brooklyn seems to make all the right moves. WHOOP is a fitness tracker manufacturer that is turning tides in the business industry. Moreover, the influx of funds by KD and other major sporting icons increased its value to $3.6 billion. The company has once again raised $200 million in funding from Series F led by SoftBank as they achieve unicorn status. Durant leads the way for the company as a major investor and is the face of the company.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
WHOOP achieves unicorn status
The Boston-based firm looks set to be the next big thing amongst the leading fitness tracking equipment. Likewise, Durant and his business partner Rich Kleiman invested $60 million into the company. A smart business investment from the two-time NBA champion. Moreover, he joins a list of different athletes who invested in the company with that potential in mind.
An impressive list of pro athletes also invested in the $100 million Series E at a $1.2 billion valuation last October.
Athlete Investors:
– Patrick Mahomes
– Larry Fitzgerald
– Eli Manning
– Rory McIlroy
– Justin ThomasThat's a 3x markup for that group in less than a year.
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) August 30, 2021
Patrick Mahomes and Eli Manning are some of the NFL players to invest in the organization. Similarly, golfers Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas are major investors too. SoftBank Vision Fund 2, Accomplice, Two Sigma Ventures, Collaborative Fund, Thursday Ventures, Nextview Ventures, Promus Ventures, Cavu Ventures, and D20 Capital are the other investors who have put their mark on the growing firm.
As the Covid pandemic has made people care more about their health, the fitness trackers provided by Whoop helps athletes to figure out Covid related symptoms. Thus, the company seems to boom at the right time considering the situation in the world. On the other hand, Durant enters a list of illustrious athletes who made smart investments to secure their future.
READ MORE- Warriors Guard Heaps Heavy Praise on Draymond Green’s Leadership
Kevin Durant joins an elite list
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
While many players live an extravagant lifestyle, KD has found all the means to secure his future. Notably, Dennis Rodman and Allen Iverson filed for bankruptcy after an extravagant lifestyle and no sense of financial planning. However, Durant joins some members of the NBA who became rich after their playing careers.
The most famous person on the list would obviously be Michael Jordan. He has a net worth of 1.1 billion dollars and fetched up to 3 billion in revenue from his famous Nike Air Jordans. In a similar vein, Los Angeles Lakers star Magic Johnson joined Detroit Venture Partners as an investment partner in 2011 as he continues to reap rewards from his smart entrepreneurial skills. Stylecaster, Sociocast, and FLUD News are some of the famous organizations.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
To sum up, Kevin Durant’s investment with Whoop elevates himself to another level. In terms of basketball ability, no one comes close to him right now after his incredible performances in the playoffs. The plaudits keep coming for this generational talent as he ventures into the entrepreneurial world.
WATCH THIS STORY- Ranking Top 5 NBA Draft Classes of All Time Featuring Michael Jordan’s 1984 Draft Class