Five NBA championships. Two Olympic Gold medals. Eighteen All-Star selections. Kobe Bryant’s basketball resume reads like a fairy tale. However, Bryant’s off-court ventures were as diverse as his playing career. From his partnership with Nike to his investments in technology and media, he has built a formidable business portfolio. But what was the secret sauce behind his success? Let’s see what a 4x WNBA All-Star has to say.

Dallas Wings star Arike Ogunbowale’s appearance in the advertisements of Raid Bug Spray has left many speechless. “I would have never thought I would be partnering with a Bug Spray company,” Ogunbowale said as per Fansided. She was impressed with how a bug spray company is connecting with the Basketball World. But how did she land a deal with a company? All credit goes to the Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.

“He was talking about things that he invested in early, and that meant that he really was doing his research and knowing where he wanted to put his money,” she told Nick DePaula in an interview for Boardroom. Bryant was an inspiration for Ogunbowale growing up.

When she first joined a basketball team in third grade, she adorned the number 24 jersey which was the number of the Black Mamba. She had her first interaction with Bryant when she was surprised by the legend himself during an episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. The bond between the two eventually grew strong when she joined the Dallas Wings as a rookie in 2019. Following Bryant’s advice on different situations, Ogunbowale was on the path to success and became an All-Star 4 times and also a WNBA scoring champion in 2020. 

This deal of Ogunbowale with Raid Bug Spray can hence be linked to the advice given by Kobe himself. During his playing days, Bryant had endorsed many brands, including Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Spalding, and even the gaming company Nintendo. His business ventures also go hand in hand. 

Through his company, Kobe Inc., Bryant launched the Body Armor energy drink, which was valued at $200 million. In 2016, along with a partner, Jeff Stibel, Kobe launched a venture capital firm that helped other businesses with funds. Besides this, the Lakers legend also had his own sports academy by the name “Mamba Sports Academy” and a media production house by the name of “Granity Studios”.

This venturing was only possible by Bryant, who had a disciplined mindset, and this is the only reason that his net worth bloomed to $600 million. As Ogunbowale and other young players continue to follow Kobe’s insights, it’s clear that his legacy extends far beyond his athletic achievements. However, did you know there’s another reason behind Ogunbowale clinching this deal?

Another reason behind Arike Ogunbowale partnering with Raid Bug Spray 

At the start of the commercial, we can see the Los Angeles Clippers forward PJ Tucker explaining how foolish it is to kill bugs with expensive and precious shoes when everyone can use just a bug spray. The shot cuts to a frame with Ogunbowale in a room full of sneakers, where she explains how one can maximize their savings on the Shoe Saver Website created by Raid.

One of the reasons that can be speculated for why Ogunbowale was chosen for this commercial was her love for fashion and shoes. When she’s on the court, she loves to wear a pair of Kobe’s, and in the case of casual wear, she prefers all-white Air Force 1s.

One of the favorite Kobe shoes of the 4x WNBA All-Star is the “Grinches”. Ogunbowale’s partnership with Raid Bug Spray is a testament to her ability to connect with brands that align with her values.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger