Looking back at last season's NBA, parting is certainly one of the most important plays. Unlike Duncan, who left silently, after a half-season tour of retirement games, Kobe cut 60 points in his farewell game to the Black Mamba, a high-profile farewell to the league.
Looking back at last season's NBA, the parting was surely the most important play of it all. Unlike Duncan, who left quietly, after a half-season tour of retirement, Kobe scored 60 points in his farewell game, bidding a high-profile farewell to the league as the Black Mamba.
Just retired that moment, Kobe appeared in the news in the way is to catch the bird or "make a man", can not be seen in the news of Kobe's enthusiastic fans have not been less for him to think of a way out, but fortunately, Kobe did not fade out of our sight for too long, he soon ran all over the world, frequent appearances in the news, and to come to China to record a variety show, and endorsement of takeout products! The Lakers' youth, in another form, has found a resting place," he said, adding that the Lakers' youth has been a source of inspiration for the Lakers.
▼Won the Children's Choice Award Kobe, was sprayed into the "golden man"
However, with those who set up their own personal brand of different athletes, Kobe did not stay in the face or establish a brand to make money on the level of the (U.S. time) Kobe's 38th birthday one day before the day Yi Jianlian officially joined the Lakers, he turned into the Lakers. The day before Kobe's 38th birthday, the day Yi Jianlian officially joined the Lakers, he changed, with his partner set up a venture capital fund, quickly found his new identity - venture capitalist.
▼Investor, Kobe
This time, 38-year-old Kobe did not choose to "go it alone", he found 43-year-old Jeff Stibel (Jeff Stibel), to join forces to build their business empire. Hence the name of the fund, Bryant Stibel, which is naturally headquartered in Los Angeles, the City of Angels, where Kobe shines.
▼Kobe and his partner Jeff Stibel
In fact, the extremely strict requirements of their own careers Kobe is really not a whim, Kobe said, he always found himself in the 2000s in the investment is very discerning, but has not been action. 2013, in the Kobe Achilles tendon injury in the period of time, in addition to the house to watch Modern Family, but also put the idea of investment into action! , also put the idea of investing into practice and started investing with Stieber.
From 2013 to now, the two have teamed up to invest in 15 companies, which includes a 10% stake in BodyArmor in 2014 for $4-6 million, and a $15 million investment in sports media site The Players Tribune in 2015. Other investments include video game design company Scopely, as well as legal services company Legal Zoom, telecom software company RingDNA, and home juicer company Juicero, and most recently, a five-minute decision to make a strategic investment in China's online children's English education platform VIPKID.
▼Kobe at an event at his venture's "Stars' Stand," where his retirement letter was premiered
As the program indicates, their primary investment focus is on tech, media, and data companies, and the fund has a total size of $100 million. As far as we know, they have no plans to seek outside investors at this time, and the current $100 million comes from the duo's own funds.
I don't know in the NBA game "throw away" the most ball Kobe, in the investment of vision how ......
Kobe and Stiebel said in an interview, the two of their ability to realize a good complement.
Stiebel, who used to be the CEO of the "" website, has a wealth of experience in business operations, and not only that, he has also founded a large number of technology companies, and he himself is a brain scientist. He said, "Partnering with Kirby isn't about trying to get him as an endorsement for the business, the key thing is to make the company more valuable through our efforts."
▼ Old Kobe ringing the bell in New York, so damn handsome!
For his part, Kobe contributed creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to run a brand and tell a story. Keen to die for himself, Kobe is also ready to seek out entrepreneurs who work hard.
"Sometimes I recognize that quality right away, sometimes not so fast." Says Kirby, "Overcoming all odds is an inherent quality in a person. It's this resilience that inspires entrepreneurs to pursue endeavors they truly believe in and love." Entrepreneurs who can't see 4 a.m. L.A. still shouldn't hit up Kirby's fund.
And Kobe's creativity is on display, as the new company's logo is reportedly Kobe's own design, inspired by the keys of a piano.
▼How about a nag design?
In fact, Kobe is not really the first NBA star to become an investor. Before him, Carmelo Anthony, the New York Knicks star who just led the U.S. team to the Olympic Games, had his own angel investment fund called Melo7 Tech Partners - which might be translated as "Melon Tech Partners. "Melon7 Tech Partners", which has invested in projects such as SMS Audio, Sea tGeek, The Orange Chef, Be Everywhere, and Lyft, etc. It seems that Anthony "Melon" really has business sense!
▼
▼Investor Big Guy!
Another investment giant is Kobe's longtime partner, Shark O'Neal, who has invested in more than a dozen companies in the tech and media sectors, the most successful being his investment in Google before it went public, which has risen to $700 from the $85 he invested in it in 2004.
In addition, James, Jordan, Magic Johnson, Nash, Iguodala, Howard, and our very own Yao Ming have all dabbled in the world of investing and are masters of their craft.
▼In the public information, Yao's involvement in as many as nine projects
In an interview with The Journal, Kobe said, "I'm not actually in competition with other NBA players. help." In addition to helping his NBA peers, Kobe is ready to use his passion to provide enough support for entrepreneurs, just as he has helped young NBA players improve their game.
"If you had asked me 10 years ago, I would have said my only purpose was to win." Kobe said, "But age broadens your perspective. The thing I enjoy the most now is helping other people succeed. I love the feeling that this is something that can go on forever, and hopefully they can do the same for the next generation."
"Hopefully I can hit the ground running and show people that it's possible to leave the sport you love and go into something new with the same passion." So said investor Kirby at the end of the interview.
▼The Lakers star's heartfelt words
Via HuffPost JRs subtitles
In addition to ringing the bell at the New York Stock Exchange, Kobe also got another piece of good news today, Los Angeles will designate August 24 each year as "Kobe Bryant Day" to thank him for his 20 years of dedication to the city. The veteran will not be able to continue to play in the battlefield. The veteran may not be able to continue to fight on the battlefield, but the fans will not forget their contributions.
What's more, for today's athletes, retirement is no longer directly linked to "bankruptcy". In addition to the athletes like Bolt, Lin Dan to build a personal brand, Kobe and other NBA stars to provide a new way of thinking to do "investors".
If you can find a reliable partner, after leaving the court of the sword, the business community has a unique vision of successful investment, can help them to live through the life after retirement, and can even live more exciting.