How Kobe Bryant turned a sports drink investment into $200 million
Kobe Bryant is a retired NBA baller who really secured the bag after an investment he made four years ago for a sports drink, turned into a cash cow with a huge return.
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The former LA Lakers star reportedly invested in BodyArmor, a healthier sports drink alternative to Gatorade. ESPN reports that Bryant invested $6 million initially back in March 2014 for a 10 percent stake in the company. And now that Coca-Cola has entered the picture to acquire a minority stake, the cash register is ringing for Bryant.
Based on the valuation of the Coca-Cola deal, the former Los Angeles Laker’s early investment is now worth approximately $200 million, sources told ESPN.
Bryant is not only an investor but he wrote and co-directed four of the brand’s ads, the company said.
Other athletes who are investors in the brand include James Harden of the Houston Rockets, Andrew Luck of the Indianapolis Colts, Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels, pro golfer Dustin Johnson and Skylar Diggins-Smith of the Dallas Wings.
Bryant, who retired from the NBA in 2016 has been busy since he left the league. Last year he earned an Oscar for best animated short film for his “Dear Basketball” production.
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But for those who think Bryant is coming back to the NBA his wife Vanessa Bryant shut that rumor down earlier this month.
“Kobe will not be coming out of retirement to play again,” she posted on Twitter, according to TMZ.
“He doesn’t want to play again and frankly we really enjoy spending time together as a family without the crazy game schedule interfering with birthdays, holidays and special events.”
That’s a “sorry not sorry” if we ever heard one.
