It’s not every day you hear about athletes turning their passion for sports into massive empires, but Baron Davis is proof that it’s possible. On an episode of the UNINTERRUPTED podcast, Davis opened up about how Magic Johnson inspired his business ventures. “Magic Johnson was the one I looked up to just cause, you know, accessible, you know, approachable… Magic is a person I always kind of idolized from a business perspective,” he shared. And just like his $1.2 billion idol, Davis followed suit and carved out an impressive fortune for himself.

Still, building wealth like Davis didn’t come solely from basketball. Retiring nearly a decade ago, Davis racked up a staggering $147.3 million from his NBA career. However, the most money he made in a single year was with the Golden State Warriors, where he earned $16.1 million. This was followed by $15.1 million with the same franchise and then $14.8 million with the Cleveland Cavaliers. By 2023, Davis was listed among the top 54 earners in basketball history. But here’s the twist—his success didn’t stop on the court. Let’s explore how he made his impressive wealth.

Baron Davis’ net worth in 2024

Speaking of wealth, Davis’ career spanned over two decades, and he stayed at the top of his game the entire time. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Davis’ net worth stands at an eye-popping $60 million as of 2024. Even after his retirement, Davis remained in the basketball spotlight, sharing insights as a studio analyst for the NBA on TNT—a gig that further padded his fortune.

And then next, he turned his eyes toward Hollywood and found success in the film industry. After leaving the court behind, Davis appeared in hit films like Step Brothers, The Night Before, and My Other House, as well as TV shows such as Mozart in the Jungle. Plus, alongside his high school buddy Cash Warren, he co-founded Verso Entertainment, a production company adding another layer to his resume. His involvement in the entertainment industry gave him yet another stream of income, all while keeping his creative spark alive.

Today, Davis’ fortune comes from multiple avenues: basketball, business, broadcasting, and acting. One of his boldest moves? In 2020, Forbes reported Davis and Percy “Master P” Miller’s ambitious plan to acquire Reebok from Adidas for a whopping $2.4 billion.

Baron Davis reinvented himself after basketball

When you think of Baron Davis, his highlight reels and legendary NBA moments instantly come to mind. But these days, it’s not his killer crossovers or deep threes making noise—it’s his business ventures. Davis has effortlessly pivoted from being a fan favorite on the court to carving out his lane as a successful entrepreneur. And believe it or not, his big push came from none other than Magic Johnson.

Naturally, having an NBA legend as your mentor makes all the difference. Davis has credited his idol for lighting the entrepreneurial spark early in his life. “From I was 15, I played at UCLA,” he shared on the UNINTERRUPTED podcast, revealing how his conversations with Johnson opened his eyes to life beyond basketball. Johnson wasn’t just a role model for his game but an inspiration for his ambitions off the court too. “It’s like Magic and Nick Van Exel were my mug…” Davis said.

Of course, Davis didn’t just admire Johnson—he took action. Following in Johnson’s footsteps, the two-time All-Star became a powerhouse in the business world, launching companies like Sports Lifestyle in Culture (SLiC), UWish, and Business Inside the Game (B.I.G.). And he didn’t stop there. Davis strategically invested in a slew of major players, including Triller, Hims, Thrive, and Complex, turning heads as a savvy investor. His portfolio doesn’t just scream ambition—it shows results. And what better than an established star like him to share his two cents on the same?

Baron Davis reveals a guide for future generations

The former NBA star revealed that he always thought ahead, especially about what his life would look like once the buzzer stopped sounding. But more importantly, he wants to pass that mindset on. “A lot of the time the message that we want to convey to kids,” Baron Davis explained in a Zoom interview with Forbes, “is to help them become entrepreneurial thinkers, so they can then use it as they grow older.”

To make that vision a reality, Davis partnered with a bold new initiative called WealthFlix. Launched last year, this subscription-based platform is breaking new ground in the business education world. Designed to empower young entrepreneurs, WealthFlix provides access to celebrity interviews, on-demand lessons, and valuable networking opportunities—all aimed at teaching the ins and outs of wealth creation. As Davis sees it, WealthFlix is like “a hybrid of TEDTalk and Masterclass” with practical content accessible anytime.

Of course, for Davis, success in business draws a lot from lessons learned on the court. “With us,” he said, “it’s more of a renegade approach. We love basketball; basketball is our art. But we want to do other things.” His time in the league taught him preparation, teamwork, and perseverance—all crucial tools for navigating the business world.

At the core of it all, Davis breaks wealth-building into three essential steps. “First, figure out how to solve problems. Then, focus on building generational wealth. And finally, partner with the right people who believe in your dream.” It’s simple yet effective advice from someone who knows the game inside and out.