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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 ,...
Antoine Walker, a 2006 NBA champion, wants athletes to learn from his financial mishaps. At 19 years old, he was drafted into the NBA in 1996 by the Boston Celtics and remained in the league for 13 years. Yahoo Finance reports his career earnings amounted to $108 million, including a six-year contract worth $71 million that he signed at age 21. While making all this money early on is an accomplishment, it also came with harsh learning lessons for Walker. “The money came so fast without the education,” he told host Ross Mac on the “Financial Freestyle” podcast. Walker’s first paycheck was tied to a $1.6 million payday, but after taxes, his actual earnings ended up being $800,000, he says. He came from “very humble beginnings” and had little understanding of financial literacy, particularly about taxes. This lack of knowledge, combined with excessive spending and real estate investments that went south during the Great Recession, contributed to his filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in...
Gabby Thomas is chasing purpose not a check. The Harvard University alum and track runner, who boasts several gold medals at the Olympic level, has remained grounded throughout all her success over the years. This she attributes to her upbringing in a single-parent household. Thomas views her mother, Jennifer Randall, as a “superhero” and credits her for the work ethic that she carries today on and off the field. According to information shared on the Olympics page, Randall moved her family to Massachusetts from Georgia with few financial resources so she could obtain a Ph.D. while teaching. Today, she is a professor at the University of Michigan, her LinkedIn states. “She showed me what leading with work ethic and compassion looks like on a daily basis,” Thomas told AFROTECH™ in an email interview. “Furthermore, she led with a focus on education and giving back. She taught me that leaving a place better than you found it is not only the nice thing to do, but the right thing to do....
Remaining a student has led Carmelo Anthony into various industries. The former NBA player, who retired in 2023 and is a first-ballot Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, reflects on his evolution from the 19-year-old drafted in 2003 to a businessman who is now a serial investor and founder in the wine and cannabis sectors. One of Anthony’s biggest takeaways: He is no longer operating in fear. “A top lesson that I’ve learned was ‘stop being afraid,'” he recalled in an interview with AFROTECH™. “ A lot of times when you’re younger and you in these powerful roles and there’s people who are making decisions and there are people writing checks, it’s like ‘You too young to understand it,’ until you grow and until you get older, you go through it and you understand what you truly want to do.” He continued, “At 19, 20, 21, I didn’t have any type of sense of business. I knew street business, I knew street knowledge. I have foundational ethics and morals that could carry over from the streets...
Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 women’s basketball league, had solid revenue in its first year. Investing In Its Athletes From The Start As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the Medley, FL-based league with 36 players was created by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart and offers the highest-paid salaries in women’s sports, with an average salary of over $200,000. The league has also provided incentives to players, with $50,000 allocated to each player on the winning 2025 Playoffs team. This year’s reigning champion is the Rose BC, led by Coach Nola Henry and featuring players Brittney Sykes, Angel Reese, Kahleah Copper, Azura Stevens, Lexie Hull, and Chelsea Gray. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rose BC (@rosebc) What’s more, Unrivaled is pushing the boundaries of what it means to invest in women’s sports. The league provides a makeup room, weight room, and daycare center for practice and games, per Front Office Sports, and it has partnered with Samsung as its official presenting and...
LeBron James paid it forward to his mother when he signed a lucrative contract with Nike. The Akron, OH , athlete was drafted to the NBA in 2003 as a No. 1 overall pick, according to Basketball Reference. In his rookie year with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he caught the attention of Nike, Adidas, and even Reebok, which would have amounted to a $10 million shoe deal. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, James ultimately rejected the Reebok deal since it came with the condition of being unable to speak with other companies. “Me and my mom were living in an apartment—section 8 housing in Akron. I’m going back. I don’t have sh-t, whatever, and my mom looked at me. She said, ‘Son, trust your gut. If they’re offering you this, then who knows what the other companies may offer you.’ She’s super composed. She’s like, ‘We ain’t got sh-t already, so it’s not like it changes our life in this moment. Maybe in the future, but I want you to trust your gut and do what you think is right,’” James said on...
Heavyweight-champion-turned-businessman George Foreman has passed away. NBC News reports the cause of Foreman’s death has not been revealed (at the time of this writing). He was 76 years old. A post on his official Instagram confirmed his passing. “Our hearts are broken. With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved George Edward Foreman Sr. who peacefully departed on March 21, 2025 surrounded by loved ones. A devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand and great grandfather, he lived a life marked by unwavering faith, humility, and purpose,” the post read. “A humanitarian, an Olympian, and two time heavyweight champion of the world, He was deeply respected — a force for good, a man of discipline, conviction, and a protector of his legacy, fighting tirelessly to preserve his good name — for his family.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by George Foreman (@biggeorgeforeman) Family Foreman is survived by his wife, Mary Joan; six...
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,”...
Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is a serial investor passionate about educating the youth in STEM. NFL Days Fitzgerald Jr. is a former NFL player drafted in 2004 by the Arizona Cardinals. ESPN mentions that his selection for the team was a no-brainer for general manager Rod Graves and head coach Dennis Green, who passed away in 2016. The Football Foundation notes that Fitzgerald Jr. was one of the best wide receivers in college football history. He was also the first sophomore to receive the Walter Camp Player of the Year award given to athletes who strive for excellence in their careers while benefiting others. View this post on Instagram A post shared by College Football Hall of Fame (@cfbhall) “[Green] knew the family, he knew all of that, but there was no question about [Fitzgerald’s] football ability,” Graves said, according to ESPN. “Based on all the information we had, we felt that he was the No. 1 player in the country.” Larry Fitzgerald Foundation One year after being drafted into the...
Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 women’s basketball league, is leveraging technology to improve the health and wellness of its players. The 3-on-3 league founded in 2023 by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart has been backed by Samsung, its official technology and presenting partner. According to a press release, Samsung is providing the league with technologies such as its Galaxy S Series, Z Series smartphones, headphones (Galaxy Buds), tablets featuring Galaxy AI, monitors, and wearables (Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Ring). “We’re a new league,” Unrivaled President Alex Bazzell told AFROTECH™ . “There’s a lot of innovation involved. There’s a lot of unknowns involved, and we’re trying to kind of push the envelope forward and having Samsung be a part of that innovation with what they’re already doing. Obviously, it’s a pretty seamless partnership for us.” Collier’s Most-Used Technology As An Athlete Collier — who was named Unrivaled’s first MVP — said she mostly utilizes the Galaxy Ring,...
Flau’jae Johnson is making a difference off the court by helping wipe out $5 million of debt for 5,000 Louisiana families. On March 14, 2025, global data and technology company Experian announced that the Louisiana State University women’s basketball guard would serve as spokesperson for its initiative to help relieve impoverished families following reports of record-high consumer debt. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Louisiana has one of the highest poverty percentages in the country. Johnson will promote financial literacy and share her experiences managing finances as one of the leading college athletes with a name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal , per a news release. “You know what’s bigger than basketball? Financial empowerment,” Johnson said in an Experian commercial. “Finances are tough, and Experian is helping the next generation pursue their dreams. … Money isn’t everything, but you need it to live a good life. The Experian app can help you save time and money, build...
JuJu Watkins has secured a groundbreaking NIL deal. The USC Trojans basketball athlete currently boasts a $739,000 name, image, and likeness (NIL) valuation , thanks to deals with Ritz Crackers, Degree, United Airlines, and NYX Cosmetics. “We are beyond excited to welcome JuJu to the NYX Professional Makeup family,” said Yasmin Dastmalchi, general manager of NYX Professional Makeup, in a news release. “JuJu’s spirit, talent, and commitment to excellence make her a perfect pick for our brand. We can’t wait to support her as she uses her voice to further inspire our community and share our core values.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Juju Watkins (@jujubballin) Watkins is already making groundbreaking moves as a collegiate athlete. As AFROTECH ™ previously told you, she extended a multi-year contract with Nike, becoming “one of the richest shoe endorsement deals in women’s basketball.” More recently, she expanded her portfolio by adding Fanatics and Fanatics...
From breaking records on the field to securing lucrative endorsements, DK Metcalf has established himself as a wide receiver to watch in the NFL. Since being drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in 2019, he has quickly risen to elite status, becoming one of the league’s most dominant offensive weapons. Known for his rare combination of size, speed and athleticism, Metcalf has delivered performances that showcase his stamina and strength, cementing his reputation as a game-changing playmaker. Off the field, the 27-year-old has successfully transformed his football stardom into financial success . His endorsements include partnerships with major companies such as Nike, Gatorade and Beats by Dre, further boosting his income and public profile. Additionally, he has ventured into business, capitalizing on opportunities in industries ranging from fitness to fashion. With a keen eye for branding and entrepreneurship, he has positioned himself as more than just an athlete – he’s a savvy...
Kylian Mbappé has added a team to his growing investment portfolio. Forbes named the French and Real Madrid soccer player among the richest athletes in 2024, with an estimated total earnings of $110 million. It appears he is putting his earnings to good use by investing in the luxury watch-shopping platform Wristcheck, which Jay-Z also backs. According to Robb Report, Mbappé’s interest in the company stemmed from their innovation in technology and creativity. “I’m thrilled to join Wristcheck as an investor through Coalition Capital,” Mbappé said in a press statement, according to the outlet. “As a Hublot ambassador and someone passionate about watches and innovation, I see Wristcheck as a platform that truly understands the next generation of collectors. They’re reshaping the watch industry with a forward-thinking approach that blends technology, transparency, and creativity.” More recently, Mbappé became a team owner. He secured a stake in the France SailGP Team, which is owned by...
There were some initial hesitations around Unrivaled’s 3-on-3 women’s basketball league, but that has not stopped it from attracting notable investors. Unrivaled is a startup founded in 2023 by WNBA players Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, its business model is unprecedented, offering the highest salaries in women’s sports and granting participating players an equity stake in the league. Its concept has proven to be a success among its players. “Everybody got equity coming into this league, that’s the most important thing…I know five years from now this thing is gonna be bigger than ever,” Angel Reese from Unrivaled’s Rose BC team shared during a virtual press conference held in January. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rose BC (@rosebc) The potential of Unrivaled was not understood by all. In fact, Collier recalls receiving various “no’s” during the league’s inception. “It was hard because you think the same thing like, ‘Oh, I’m an...