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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

Just last year, Andre Iguodala bid farewell to the basketball court after a stellar 19-season NBA career. The man racked up accolades like a Finals MVP trophy in 2015 and four championship rings with the Golden State Warriors. “It’s been a blessing to play for that long,” he reflected after retiring. But instead of basking in the glow of his legacy, he decided to dive headfirst into new ventures. Even before officially stepping away, Iguodala had quietly laid the groundwork for his next chapter.

Iguodala’s on-court earnings amounted to a whopping $185 million, according to Spotrac. But that’s just the beginning. Iguodala has found a way to potentially surpass that figure post-retirement by turning his sharp focus to venture capitalism. With his co-founder Rudy Cline-Thomas, he’s now leading Mosaic, a VC fund boasting $200 million in investment power.

It didn’t happen overnight. Andre Iguodala’s business savvy traces back to his early fascination with tech stocks in 2010. Over the years, his interest shifted to startups, proving his knack for spotting opportunities others often overlook. For example, he jumped on Zoom before the pandemic turned it into an everyday staple, cementing himself as a forward-thinker. “Visionary” doesn’t feel like an overstatement here—especially when you’re ahead of the curve.

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“When I initially went out to the Bay Area, it was my intent to have success on and off the court,” Iguodala once said. And his success off the hardwood speaks for itself. With Mosaic, he’s targeting early-stage funding in areas like enterprise software, fintech, and sports. His portfolio? Heavy hitters like Coinbase, Allbirds, Hims, and Carta. If you’re wondering, the man doesn’t just invest; he diversifies.

It’s not just about dollars for Iguodala and Cline-Thomas. They’re building partnerships rooted in vision and trust. “I think I always try to first work with good people, great minds,” Iguodala explained in Forbes. “We always say, ‘You invest in the company, you invest in the person. You know you’re investing in the founder, you’re investing in the CEO, you’re investing into the person with the vision more so than the company. There’s a lot of great ideas out there, but the execution is key. You’ve got to have people who execute, build great teams, who understand the hard work ethic that you need to have to overcome obstacles and put the right minds together.”

Last year, through his VC fund, Mosaic, he pumped $9.2 million into AllCity Network, a rising name in sports content. With this cash infusion, AllCity raised a total of $12.4 million to power its mission of delivering regular videos and podcasts tailored to sports fans. The goal? To double the company’s size. Thanks to Iguodala’s backing, that lofty vision suddenly feels very achievable.

 

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And the plan gets even bigger. According to Marketing Brew, AllCity is rolling out free ad-supported streaming television (FAST), letting fans access their favorite content without paying for subscriptions. Instead, advertising revenue will keep the gears turning. Brandon Spano, AllCity’s co-founder and CEO, shared the dream: “We want there to be a full-time, 24-hour city-specific TV channel for every sports fan.” With such an ambitious setup, it’s clear why Iguodala saw an opportunity here.

It makes sense, considering Iguodala’s knack for forward-thinking moves. He’s no stranger to the media game—his Point Forward podcast is already a hit, and expanding AllCity’s reach means potentially toppling giants in the sports network space. Imagine a network not just for casual fans but built for cities and teams, broadcasting around the clock. For Iguodala, it’s about creating something more engaging than the traditional sports media landscape.

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Of course, Iguodala’s strategy has always been a strong suit. Even Steve Kerr, his former coach from Golden State Warriors, had high praise for him: “He was one of the most unique players I have ever been around… an absolute winner. I was lucky to coach him.” Whether it’s launching a bestselling memoir like The Sixth Man or turning investments into success stories, Iguodala’s approach always stands out.

Andre Iguodala’s other ventures

Last year, Andre Iguodala made headlines by joining the ownership group of Bay FC, the latest expansion team in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). The team is backed by major names, including PE giant Sixth Street and Sheryl Sandberg, formerly of Meta, along with four former USWNT legends like Brandi Chastain and Aly Wagner. Not stopping there, Iguodala’s soccer ventures also extend overseas—he’s an investor in Leeds United. Despite the club’s unfortunate relegation from the Premier League, Iguodala is clearly staking his claim in the global sports scene.

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But soccer isn’t the only field Iguodala is breaking into. He also became part-owner of the San Francisco franchise of the TGL, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s groundbreaking tech-infused golf league. Teaming up with Marc Lasry, Stephen Curry, and fellow Warriors teammate Klay Thompson, Iguodala has carved a spot in this innovative new format. With Tiger and Rory at the helm, this league could potentially revolutionize how fans experience golf, and Iguodala isn’t letting this opportunity pass him by.

And then, of course, there’s the tech world. Iguodala co-founded the annual Players Technology Summit, a gathering that bridges the gap between sports, venture capital, and Silicon Valley heavyweights. The summit continues to attract big names from all three industries, giving athletes like Iguodala a platform to explore opportunities far beyond the court. It’s safe to say Iguodala’s vision stretches well beyond the game, making him a trailblazer for modern athletes.

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Is Andre Iguodala the ultimate post-retirement success story in sports, or is there more to come?