The biggest $135 million acquisition deal of Gawker by Univision wouldn’t have been possible without Mark Patricof. The ex-investment banker is the mastermind behind leading numerous former and active pro athletes such as Venus Williams and J.J. Watt and more into private equity. Carmelo Anthony is also one of them. Patricof also detailed how an exchange with NBA player Dwyane Wade left both of them highly inspired and motivated. 

Just recently, Patricof sat with Melo and Salt iConnections and recalled the 3x NBA Champ encouraged him to meet every NBA owner. As Patricof listened to his advice, he met four owners in the time of 2 weeks and realized what Wade meant by his advice. “I remember talking to Dwayne Wade at one point saying you know if I were you I’d meet every single NBA owner every time I go on the road you should go shake hands and meet the owner he said it’s a great idea.”

He added, “I remember D Wade then he called me not long after that I said I just met like four owners in the last two weeks and you know the opportunities for these guys are so significant and I thought over time that you could create a platform that both supported them but also took advantage of their unique access.”

How did it help? Well, he was able to build a strong relationship and friendship with the team owners. The same friends helped him recruit more promising athletes for the firm he started. Both Wade and the New York Knicks legend Melo became part of the project in the early years of the firm.

Patricof Co.’s biggest hit with hot-sauce company Cholula

Back in 2022, Melo invested in Daily Harvest Patricof Co. After realizing the lack of advice and knowledge athletes have in the finance world, Patricof decided to begin his own firm, Patricof Co. 

One of the most successful deals of the firm came in just three years after the launch. It was Cholula hot sauce company sale worth $800 million. The Miami Heat Champ Wade, J.J. Watt, Travis Kelce, Victor Oladipo, Dak Prescott, Ryan Tannehill, and many more invested in the company through the firm’s division run by L Catterton.

Using this as a platform, he began to advise professional athletes on how to land private-equity deals that can advantage both parties with the impact athletes have. He worked at CAA for five years before starting his own investment bank, Mesa Securities. While he sold it to Houlihan Lokey in 2015, Patricof continues to use his wealth of knowledge to fuel his firm. Currently, the firm boasts an impressive lineup of more than 80 successful athletes.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the Reese-Clark rivalry and more, watch this video.