It may be a bit risky to say so, but Chris Paul (37) may go down in history as one of the best players in the NBA without having won any ring at the end of his career. He is not the only one though. Two seasons ago he reached the finals, but Giannis Antetokounmpo and his Bucks prevented one of the best passers in history from achieving what any player craves. But his career, one of the longest in the league, supports him and places him as a benchmark.
Regardless of his success on the court, Paul – who has earned more than $300 million during his career – has also forged a business empire. But for this he did not limit himself to putting money without any type of filter. In 2011, after being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, point guard looked for a mentor and set his eyes on no more and no less than Bob Iger, former CEO of Walt Disney Co and current president.
“He told me: ‘I need someone I can talk business with. I need someone I can learn from’”, explains Iger to Bloomberg. “I was a kind of coach off the pitch,” adds the expert, who guided him on new technologies, startups, investment opportunities, business plans, human resources, risk-taking and decision-making. And Chris Paul, in addition to gaining a valuable friendship, learned.
And as a result his business portfolio and his bank account have been growing at the same time. As an investor, Paul has sought out companies (and social impact initiatives) that reflect his values. Four years ago he became vegan, which allowed him to revitalize his career. And that fact has logically led him to have stakes in companies like Beyond Meat, Bowery Farming or Current Foods, to name a few.
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The father of two children – he and his wife, Jada, have a son and a daughter – he has also invested money in family businesses such as MaxOne, an online sports training platform, and Goalsetter, specialized in financial education technology, and has created a production company (Ohh Dip!!!). He has also invested in card companies, sports merchandising, focused on wellness and the world of athletics amateur. Not to mention other bets like the successful Rihanna’s lingerie brand (Savage x Fenty) or the exclusive company that sells second-hand luxury watches (WatchBox).
Nor should we lose sight of their sponsorship deals. Like the one he maintains with Nike and specifically with the Jordan line, the one that links him to Fanatics or the State Farm insurer. Commercial relations, all of them that also give him a good pinch a year.
And if it was not enough, as a good cricket lover (!) he is a shareholder of the Rajasthan Royals of the Indian Premier League. A most exotic investment. Although he also has a stake in the Winston-Salem Dash baseball team and has started the Chris Paul Basketball Academy. And after his experience as president of the players’ union for eight years in which he dealt with 30 owners and 450 players, believes that the next logical step is to own a franchise.
But for now, we will continue to see him show off his fierce competitionhis exquisite mid-range shot and his chess-like approach to directing an attack.
