Kevin Durant is evidently enjoying his time in the business limelight. As AfroTech previously reported, the Brooklyn Nets basketball star recently secured a two-year partnership with blockchain platform Dapper Labs’ NBA Top Shot. Now, Durant is making headlines as he’s reportedly set to become one of the major buyers in a merger agreement between ticket search engine platform SeatGeek and blank check company RedBall Acquisition Corporation, according to Front Office Sports. The merger proves to be a relief for RedBall — co-founded by Billy Beane and RedBird Capital founder Gerry Cardinale — who reportedly struggled over the past year, EssentiallySports previously reported. But clearly, hope was not lost as RedBall now has a promising footing with the latest merger reportedly valued at a whopping $1.35 billion (What a comeback). The equity rollout will include a $100 million private investment in public equity (PIPE). The beauty of PIPE financing permits prospects to be afforded the...
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...