Giannis Antetokounmpo is expanding his portfolio with a new investment tied to sports. Sportico reports the Milwaukee Bucks superstar is an investor in ScorePlay, an artificial intelligence -powered sports media management platform launched by Victorien Tixier (CEO) and Xavier Green (CTO) in 2021. Its solutions streamline sports organizations’ essential digital workflows by automating the management of photos and short video clips, its website mentions. Features among all its tiers include: Automated ingestion of photos and short videos Unlimitied AI tagging Usage analytics “The idea is to maximize the distribution, both on your own social channel, but also distributing the content to your athletes, who are your best storytellers,” Tixier told CNBC. ScorePlay had already attracted the attention of Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman’s 35V family office, as well as Eli Manning, notes the outlet. Most recently, it has closed a $13 million Series A round led by Harry Stebbings’ 20VC, which...

Allyson Felix has created what she wished existed, centering women in a major way with her new sports management firm. The retired Olympic legend and sprinter has launched Always Alpha, the first management firm dedicated exclusively to women’s sports , supported by Dolphin. Founded by Felix, her longtime business partner and brother, Wes Felix, and sports executive Cosette Chaput, the firm “aims to empower modern women who are breaking barriers, owning their voices, and creating a better future on and off the field of play,” Dolphin shared in a press release. “Young athletes often ask me how I’ve diversified and consistently grown my business across marketing, media, entrepreneurship, venture, entertainment and impact,” Felix said in a statement. “Wes and I did it ourselves piece by piece, out of necessity — because there wasn’t another option for transforming our vision into reality.” She added, “With Always Alpha, we’re taking everything we learned and creating the modern...

Kevin Durant is making sure he ends the year off strong signing yet another lucrative deal, this time with Coinbase Global Inc. Bloomberg reports, the Brooklyn Nets basketball star, Thirty Five Ventures — co-founded by himself and Rich Kleiman — and media network Boardroom have signed a multi-year deal to promote the cryptocurrency platform throughout his various businesses. The deal marks a reunion for Durant and Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong who previously crossed paths in 2016. While playing with the Golden State Warriors, Durant developed a greater interest in Silicon Valley following his desire to grow an investment portfolio in 2016. One year later, Durant participated in Coinbase’s Series D funding round which totaled $100 million at a $1.6 billion valuation, solidifying his relationship with the platform. “Being an early investor in a company you’re excited about is always an amazing feeling,” Durant said, according to Boardroom. “Being able to come back a few years later and...

Kevin Durant’s investing power has reached a whole new level as his latest investment is setting him up for more success. According to a report from Sportico, Durant’s investment vehicle, Thirty Five Ventures, participated in a $200 million Series F funding round for health tracking firm WHOOP, which has brought the company’s valuation to $3.6 billion. The new appraisal reportedly will result in a nearly 2,800% return for Durant and his investment firm, topping off yet another successful backing. Sportico also reports that Durant first invested in the health tracking company back in 2017, and just a year later the firm was pegged at a valuation of $125 million. So to see that number now skyrocket to the billion-dollar club means an incredible payoff for the two-time NBA champ’s investment arm. Since early last year, Durant has been busy capitalizing on his success off the court through the development of Thirty Five Ventures — which has made 39 investments to date, according to...

Music, acting, reality TV, adult toys, and fashion—there are only a few industries that Kandi Burruss hasn’t touched. And she continues to reinvent and open new streams of income. Now, her business acumen will be the focus of a new course at Georgia State University, the institution announced. This fall, Professor Mo Ivory will offer Georgia State Law students a chance to study Burruss’ entrepreneurial moves. Ivory will guide law students through the deals and contracts that have built Burruss’ brand. Students will also role-play contract negotiations and hear from key players in her career, including her mother, attorneys, manager, and more. “I chose Kandi because she has an amazing career, which spans every aspect of the entertainment industry from music, television and live performance to licensing, apparel and more,” Ivory said. “She handles her business and it shows with her success, but all the while she’s completely approachable and willing to share her lessons learned. I...