Professional athletes tend to make millions in salary during their playing days. However, some of them end up going bankrupt due to their extravagant expenditures with no money coming in after they retire. Yet there are some who make smart business investments that add to their net worth. Similarly to NBA?legend Shaquille O?Neal, who is known to be business savvy, an ex-NFL cornerback made millions due to an investment as well.
After being drafted by the Cleveland Browns, Joe Haden spent the majority of his career in Cleveland before moving on to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers. During his time in Cleveland, he made one of his best business investments in a company which also has ties to celebrities such as Mark Wahlberg, Eminem, and Usher.
How Joe Haden made $14 million with the help of an NBA owner
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Recently, Joe Haden sat down for an exclusive interview on ?Tony The Closer.? That is where he revealed how he turned $250,000 into $14 million. Haden mentioned that he invested in a company co-founded by Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert.
Joe Haden says he turned $250,000 into $14 million by investing in StockX, which was co-founded by Cleveland Cavaliers own Dan Gilbert.
Haden says Andrew Hawkins, Eminem, Mark Wahlberg, and Usher also invested in the company.
(h/t @tonythecloser_) pic.twitter.com/Pf5amt41IM
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) March 11, 2023
StockX, a company founded by Chris Kaufman, Josh Luber, Greg Schwartz, and Dan Gilbert started off in February 2016. During his time with the Cleveland Browns, Haden opened up a shoe store named ?Restock.?
Soon after, Dan Gilbert approached him and Haden ended up investing in the StockX company. He wasn?t the only one who invested in the startup. Names like Eminem, Usher, Mark Wahlberg, and Andrew Hawkins all joined in.
And soon, the business took off, which resulted in the former Browns cornerback?s $250,000 investment turning into a $14 million return.
A billion Dollar industry
Sneakers have become the new fashion statement in this era. Scalpers often buy exclusive Yeezy?s or Jordans and then sell them at an inflated price. However, StockX?s business plan was entirely different.?
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A company that started off as a reseller of clothing and sneakers became a big hit among the public. This was possible mainly due to their prices, which were lower than the actual retail price tag out in the market.
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Now, the company has expanded its services to electronics such as computer hardware, gaming consoles, and smartphones as well. StockX serves as an auction place for sneakerheads.
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The company was founded in 2015 and now has $3.8 billion in revenue, with $690 million in total overall funding as well.
Safe to say, Haden hit a masterstroke with his investment in Gilbert’s StockX.