• Loading stock data...
Monday, February 10, 2025

Kawhi Leonard Joins X2 Performance Board in Equity Deal

  • Leonard will get two board seats and become the ‘face of the brand.’
  • X2 raised $14 million in a recent Series D funding round.
Kawhi Leonard X2 Product in Gym
X2 Performance

Following a recent string of athletes taking equity stakes in the companies they endorse, Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is joining natural performance supplement company X2 Performance as an investor and member of its board of directors.

The company — which makes energy drinks and workout supplements — will use the 2019 NBA Finals MVP’s image and likeness as it looks to expand to national retailers. “He will be the face of the brand,” X2 CEO Mark French told CNBC. Leonard will also be directly involved with “product innovation and marketing support.”

“I have been approached by many beverage and supplement brands, but I decided to join X2 because it is natural with clean ingredients. I love the products, and the impact it’s had on my training and performance,” Leonard said in an announcement. “I’m really inspired by our X2 team and the momentum we are building.”

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it gives Leonard two seats on the board, CNBC reported. His investment came as part of a Series D funding round that raised roughly $14 million. 

Private equity firm L Catterton’s growth fund was the leading investor in the round — L Catterton recently led funding rounds for connected fitness companies Tonal and ICON, and was an early Peloton backer. Other sports industry investors include ESPN NFL insider and X2 board member Mike Tannenbaum, CAA Sports Co-Head Mike Levine, O’Melveny Sports Industry Group Co-Chair Chuck Baker and Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David.

Other high-profile athletes to recently take investment stakes in performance-related companies they endorse include Patrick Mahomes at Hyperice, and DeAndre Hopkins at Therabody and BioSteel.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

U.S. Soccer Federation president Carlos Cordeiro (left) and Sunil Gulati (center) and MLS commissioner Don Garber (right) pose for a photo.

Billionaire Who Chaired NASL Admits He Used Burner Account to Attack MLS,..

Rocco Commisso, the Mediacom founder, compared the MLS commissioner to Harvey Weinstein.
Sponsored

How Sportradar and the NBA Are Shaping the Future of Immersive Fan..

By transforming raw data into tailored, interactive content, Sportradar helps turn the NBA’s enormous fanbase into active participants.
Nov 24, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks center Sakima Walker (35) and UCLA Bruins forward Angela Dugalic (32) jockey for rebounding position during the fourth quarter at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Mandatory

Players Era NIL Tourney to Add Women’s Basketball in 2025

Get ready for a South Carolina–UCLA rematch.
Nov 9, 2024; Munich, Germany; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell signs autographs during NFL Live Munich at Augustiner-Keller.

NFL Stands Firm Amid DEI Blowback

Goodell said they’re committed to DEI “because it makes the NFL better.”

Featured Today

Brady and Mahomes

Chiefs Fatigue Is Real. It’s Nowhere Near Patriots Hate Yet

People who have covered both teams say the difference is stark.
Nov 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) celebrates with running back Saquon Barkley (26) after the Eagles defeat the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium.
February 7, 2025

How the Eagles Reinvented Championship Roster Construction

Philadelphia is one of the most innovative franchises in the NFL.
February 3, 2025

‘Ultimate Throwback’: The Unimpeachable Cool of Hartford Whalers Gear

Nostalgia and street cred have driven a consistent frenzy for merch.
January 20, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Kristin Juszczyk, wife of San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44), before a 2024 NFC divisional round game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium.
February 1, 2025

The New WAGs: Sports Wives Building Business Empires

Athletes’ wives and girlfriends are bucking stereotypes and cashing in.
Saquon Barkley

Saquon Barkley’s Quiet Super Bowl Was Still Worth $250K

The Eagles running back capped his historic season with a middling performance.
Aaron Rodgers
February 9, 2025

The Jets and Aaron Rodgers Are Getting a $49 Million Divorce

The Rodgers era in New Jersey appears to be over.
Caitlin Clark
February 9, 2025

Ailing Nike Taps Caitlin Clark, Women’s Stars for First Super Bowl Ad..

The 60-second ad includes Clark, Wilson, Ionescu, Chiles, Richardson, and Sabalenka.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Travis Kelce
February 9, 2025

Super Bowl Win Could Have Travis Kelce Join Brother in Retirement

Kelce’s fame could making retiring more lucrative than football.
Malcolm Butler
February 9, 2025

NFL Players at Super Bowl React to Possible 18-Game Season

Jameis Winston, Kyren Williams, and others sound off.
Feb 1, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Phoenix Suns power forward Kevin Durant (35) looks on during warm ups before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center.
February 6, 2025

Rich Kleiman Says Kevin Durant Would ‘Potentially’ Play in New International League

Kleiman said a more relaxed schedule would benefit older players.
Pete Alonso
February 5, 2025

Pete Alonso Finally Returns to Mets on $30 Million Pillow Contract

The slugger can be a free agent again next year.