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Athletes are leaning further into content creation to build a sturdy brand. While sports is a bridge between athletes and fans, content creation is another avenue that can further enhance the relationship. Now, more and more players are leaning into this in various ways to give fans a closer look into their lifestyles and interest. At the 2025 NAB Show (National Association of Broadcasters) held in Vegas, NV, PlayersTV Co-Founder Collin Castellaw was among the leaders gathered for a panel titled “Empowering Athletes: The Rise of Player-Owned Media in the NIL Era,” moderated by journalist Chris Smith on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. PlayersTV As AFROTECH™ previously told you, PlayersTV, established in 2020, is the first athlete-owned media network and content provider. It is currently backed by players that include Chris Paul, Kyrie Irving, Travis Kelce, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, and Damian Lillard. The media network currently has nearly 70 professional athletes as owners, investors ,...
Kevin Hart wants entrepreneurs to be equipped in artificial intelligence (AI). AI is sweeping across various industries. While some remain skeptical, adopting it will be essential to avoid being left behind in a rapidly changing landscape. “The train is coming and coming fast,” Hart told Fortune. “Either you’re on it, or if not, get out of the way.” As AFROTECH™ previously told you, Hart partnered with the Fifteen Percent Pledge and A16z’s Cultural Leadership Fund for the AI Illumination Grant that will disperse $35,000 in funding to Black founders, with the winner receiving $20,000. Considerations for recipients include: High potential for growth Sustainable competitive advantage Strong management team Strong use case for AI tools Grant dollars to manage growth challenges and expansion Prioritizes inclusivity and centers community impact Coramino Fund Hart is taking further action through his Coramino Fund — the investment arm for his tequila company Gran Coramino that is in its...
Michael Jordan’s sports memorabilia remains highly sought after. AFROTECH™ has covered multiple auction sales featuring memorabilia from Jordan’s legendary NBA career. This includes a jersey worn during his 45-point game during the 1996-1997 season with the Chicago Bulls, which sold for $4.7 million at Sotheby’s auction house in November 2024. “One of the finest Michael Jordan jerseys ever to come to auction, MJ wore this road-red jersey for 5 months and 17 games during the Chicago Bulls legendary 1996-1997 championship season,” Sotheby’s detailed on their Instagram. “In the 1990s, the jersey’s image landed on trading cards, magazines, newspapers, and collectable posters like these from Starline or Costacos Brothers that decorated the walls of kids’ rooms around the world.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sotheby's (@sothebys) In February 2024, a set of six individual sneakers sported by Jordan during his victorious championship season sold for $8 million, which was the...
A Black woman-owned wine brand has secured a sweet victory. Established in 2023, IBest Wines has secured a partnership with American Airlines. The company was launched by Ingrid Best, who carries two decades of experience in the wine and spirits sector from companies such as Diageo, Moët Hennessy, and Bacardi, the company website mentions. She entered the industry as a brand ambassador, assisting in the launch of a small rum brand for Diageo in San Francisco, CA, New York, and Miami, FL, she said during an interview on “Way Up With Angela Yee.” She later rose up the ranks in the aforementioned companies, holding titles that include Regional Marketing Manager for Hennessy (2013-2016), Brand Director for D’USSE (2019-2020), and CE’s EVP, Global Head of Marketing Spirits (2021). Her career milestones include managing two of the largest venture joint spirit partnerships. “I was so fortunate to be exposed to every facet of the business, which typically, in an ambassador role, you aren’t...
The blessings are still pouring in for The Puddery founder, Janel Prator. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, Prator reaped the benefits of the Keith Lee effect after her pudding shop, The Puddery, located in Pearland, TX, went viral in a food review shared on his TikTok platform, which currently boasts 17 million followers, on Nov. 23, 2023. Lee claims Prator had made over 13 posts inviting the foodie guru to her restaurant, which was on the verge of closing. On some days, she recalls only having two customers per day. Lee stated the shop’s strawberry banana pudding was the best he’s had. His review was seen by millions of customers who flocked to support the store. Today, The Puddery is thriving and has since expanded to its second location. Prator refers to Lee’s initial visit as “an opportunity of a lifetime for a business like mine,” according to Blavity. Prator’s blessings are still multiplying. In fact, Keith Lee surprised her with a $50,000 grant in partnership with Toast...
Although Wally Amos didn’t set out to build a world-class brand, his creation has stood the test of time, leaving a lasting legacy. The beloved Famous Amos, with its signature bite-sized cookies inspired by Amos’ family recipe, launched in 1975 in a storefront on Los Angeles, CA’s Sunset Boulevard. When the store opened, his son, Shawn, was just seven years old, and he was one of its workers. “He worked in the back, and I worked in the front, and literally the two of us were tearing this place apart, building it, and opening it up. I learned the value of work, of just that all you have at the end of the day is work,” Shawn told AFROTECH™. “He wasn’t looking to create a worldwide brand or be an icon. He just wanted to open up a store selling cookies and make a living. And he really valued the work and took pride in the work.” The store’s launch was made possible through a $25,000 loan from notable entertainers such as Marvin Gaye and Helen Reddy. For years, Wally had been sharing his...
It’s a full-circle moment for Carmelo Anthony as he finds himself back where his journey first began. In 2022, the former NBA player made his foray into the wine sector with the launch of the global wine estate brand VII(N), as AFROTECH™ previously told you. He had shown an interest in wine more than a decade ago. While playing for the New York Knicks, he drank a bottle of Petrus, which played a pivotal role in his desire to create a wine profile, but instead for daily use. “I obviously know I couldn’t drink Petrus as my go-to wine every day, but I was chasing that taste profile, and it’s impossible to find it anywhere else. You just can’t. But I had to come down to earth and start figuring out what I could drink on a daily basis. I do have a very high taste profile, I must say,” he explained, according to Haute Living. While playing in New York, Anthony also adds that he was expanding not only his palette but also his network. His time in the city cemented his need to become a more...
Carmelo Anthony’s intro into solo investing paid off big time. In 2006, Daniel Huang and Shawn Dougherty bootstrapped mStation with a $250,000 investment, developing speakers and cases for iPods and MP3 players, according to Forbes. Within their first year, they generated $1 million in revenue, most of the earnings coming from North America. The founders went on to make some power moves with the help of Carmelo Anthony, who was an active NBA player at the time. Here’s how. The Carmelo Anthony Effect In 2007, Huang and Dougherty acquired Mophie, which was responsible for creating the OG portable battery for iPhones. Forbes notes the pair created a battery-powered case, and Mophie’s revenue scaled from $2.6 million in 2008 to $200 million by 2013. Mophie’s revenue was predicted to reach $1 billion within the next five years. “What we got from them that we didn’t have was a global Apple retail presence, customers in 60 plus countries, and a diversification into the case business,”...
Former NFL player Marques Colston is making it easier for other athletes to enter the investment space. Drafted into the NFL in 2006 by the New Orleans Saints, Colston had a playing career that spanned more than 10 seasons and included securing a Super Bowl ring in 2010. He earned over $40 million throughout his time in the NFL, per Spotrac. Colston’s NFL career ended in 2015 when he was released by the Saints due to injury, according to the team’s webpage. Champion Venture Partners Today, Colston is still involved with athletes but in a new light. He is the founding partner in Champion Venture Partners, alongside former professional mixed martial arts (MMA) athlete Nick Edwards. The North Dakota-based private equity firm, established in 2024, is making “growth alternative asset investments” accessible to all, according to the firm’s website. “A lot of our team are former athletes, and what you see is there’s a really short time horizon on your athletic career where you have your...
In an era of rising costs and increasing financial awareness , many people are turning to the “ no-buy year ” as a strategy to take control of their spending habits. This trend challenges individuals to commit to purchasing only essentials for an entire year. By eliminating non-essential spending, participants aim to build savings, reduce waste and cultivate a more mindful approach to consumption. However, the specific rules of a no-buy year vary from person to person, making it a flexible yet disciplined approach to financial wellness. A no-buy year is not about deprivation—it’s about intentional spending. The goal is to break the cycle of impulse purchases, reassess financial priorities and learn to appreciate what you already own. Whether you’re looking to save for a major goal, minimize clutter or simply gain a deeper understanding of your relationship with money, setting clear guidelines is essential for success. How A No-Buy Year Works At its core, a no-buy year revolves...
Kiyan Anthony does not see more than half of his NIL earnings for good reason. According to Sports Illustrated, the basketball player, son of former NBA star Carmelo Anthony , is ranked among the top prospects in the 2025 class. He is currently a four-star recruit and the highest-ranked high school player in New York, playing for Long Island Lutheran High School in Glen Head, NY. As he prepared for the collegiate level, he gained interest from the University of Southern California, Auburn University, and Florida State University. Ultimately, he committed to Syracuse University in New York. “Just looking at Syracuse and seeing, like, what could be done over there if I was to go over there,” Kiyan shared in a statement on the school’s website. “They already have top people coming in, who I’m close with. Young coaching staff that I can connect to. Close to home, 45-minute flight. They would have me catching 6-hour flights to California. Just all of that, and then the ACC (Atlantic...
Corporations are still advancing technologies without ensuring diverse perspectives are represented at the table. Inconsistencies have surfaced regarding a now-abandoned technology from Meta. As AFROTECH previously reported, in September 2023, Meta launched an artificial intelligence (AI) assistant that allowed users to retrieve information “in real time,” accompanied by images relevant to prompts. The bots also adopted the likenesses of several well-known personalities, including Snoop Dogg, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Paul. “Our journey with AIs is just beginning, and it’s not just about building AIs that only answer questions,” the company stated at the time. “We’ve been creating AIs that have more personality, opinions, and interests, and are more fun to interact with. Along with Meta AI, there are 28 more AIs that you can message on WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram. You can think of these AIs as a new cast of characters, all with unique backstories.” During the test run for the AI...
Allisha Gray is optimistic about her post on Unrivaled. The 2024 All-Star player who made history is not taking her talents to Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 basketball league founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lunar Owls BC (@lunarowlsbc) Unrivaled has welcomed 36 players across six teams, including Gray (Lunar Owls BC), Aliyah Boston (Vinyl BC), Brittney Griner (Phantom BC), Angel Reese (Rose BC), and Kate Martin (Laces BC). Its launch was supported by an oversubscribed Series A raise of $28 million in December 2024, bringing its total funding to at least $35 million. Investors in the league include Carmelo Anthony, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Alex Morgan, Dawn Staley, and, most recently, Coco Gauff. “I’m thrilled to be joining Unrivaled as an investor,” Gauff said in a press release. “Basketball is one of my favorite sports, and the chance to support a league that’s redefining the game is exciting. I look forward to being part...
Coco Gauff has invested in women’s basketball. Unrivaled is a 3-on-3 basketball league announced in 2023 and founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. Each player participating in its first season was granted equity in the league, setting a precedence in sports. “For years, women have relied heavily on off-court sponsorships for a majority of their income,” Stewart said in a press release shared with AFROTECH™ . “With Unrivaled , we’re revolutionizing the game by prioritizing investments in our stars and ensuring their on-court performance is reflected in their pay.” Collier added: “With the growing popularity of women’s basketball and the WNBA, this is an opportunity for us to extend our visibility into the traditional basketball season. Breanna and I set out to create a league that would change the way women’s sports are viewed and ultimately how sports leagues operate. We may have had the vision, but this isn’t just our league – it belongs to the players, and...
NBA star Jimmy Butler has brewed his love for coffee into a storefront in Miami, FL’s Design District. After teasing the concept for some time, the Miami Heat star officially opened his first BigFace Coffee shop on Dec. 5, 2024, according to Axios. The café boasts a chic interior design, a selection of merchandise including hats and jerseys, and an outdoor courtyard featuring ample seating. “This is a dream of mine,” Butler said at the grand opening, CBS News reported . “I get to come in here, chill out, meet people, vibe out, and become friends. Coffee is life. It’s how I start my mornings, watching my daughter play while I enjoy a cappuccino. For me, that’s the quintessential coffee experience.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by La Marzocco USA (@lamarzocco.usa) Besides Butler, other basketball figures at the grand opening included Carmelo Anthony , Heat center Kevin Love, and former NBA guard Brandon Jennings, according to Axios. DJ Khaled and French footballer...