• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Kevin Durant Scores Big on Coinbase

  • Coinbase’s direct public listing is great news for Kevin Durant, who was an early-stage investor.
  • Durant’s Thirty Five Ventures has a range of tech company and sports-related investments.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

On Tuesday, Kevin Durant scored 31 points on the Timberwolves, his best performance in two-and-a-half months. On Wednesday, he notched an even bigger win when Coinbase went public.

The crypto exchange market, known for providing an easy on-ramp for casual investors to buy bitcoin and other blockchain-based coins, went public via a direct listing.

The crypto exchange market, known for providing an easy on-ramp for casual investors to buy bitcoin and other blockchain-based coins, went public via a direct listing.  Coinbase shares closed at $328.28 today, valuing the company at $86 billion.

That’s good news for KD, who bought into the investment platform through his and Rich Kleinman’s Thirty Five Ventures when it was valued at $1.6 billion. The rapper Nas’ venture fund invested in the Series B round, when Coinbase was valued at around $143 million.

Durant is an active investor, particularly in tech companies. 

  • He was also an early-stage investor in Postmates, Acorns, Sandbox VR, and shared bike and scooter company Lime. 
  • Durant has also bought into a number of sports and fitness companies, including Dapper Labs, maker of NBA Top Shot, Goldin Auctions, drink company WTRMLN WTR, and athlete recovery tech company Therabody.

Serena Williams’ Serena Ventures appears to have also been an investor, but pulled Coinbase from its publicly listed portfolio companies after Coinbase’s CEO came out against employee political activism.

Coinbase reported last week that its Q1 revenue was up 847% year-over-year to around $1.8 billion, and that it has 56 million users.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Race leader and eventual stage winner Primož ROGLIČ (SVN/RedBull-Bora-Hansgrohe) in the final kilometer up the finish climb of stage 19 from Logroño to Alto De Moncalvillo (ESP/168km) of the 79th La Vuelta Ciclista a España 2024 on 6 September. // Kristof Ramon / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202409060905 // Usage for editorial use only //Primož ROGLIČ (SVN/RedBull-Bora-Hansgrohe) congratulated by teammate Florian LIPOWITZ (DEU/RedBull - BORA - hansgrohe) after a very strong stage 13 from Lugo to Puerto De Ancares (ESP/171km) of the 79th La Vuelta Ciclista a España 2024 on 30 August

Red Bull Is on a Hot Streak in Sports. Can It Win..

The company is betting on a big future in cycling.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) knocks the ball out of the hands of Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) and returns the fumble for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Cotton Bowl Classic during the College Football Playoff semifinal game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on January, 10, 2025.

College Football Is Closer Than Ever to Perfecting the Championship Process

Despite valid criticisms, the first expanded Playoff is working.
Jan 2, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman (R) reacts on the sidelines in the final minute against the Georgia Bulldogs during the fourth quarter at Caesars Superdome.

Amid Realignment Mania, Notre Dame Stayed Independent. It Paid Off

How the CFP semifinal-bound Fighting Irish made their business model work.
Jan 29, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) is guarded by Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) during the fourth quarter at Kaseya Center.

As Butler Eliminates Options, Heat Face Expensive Dilemma

Butler is in the middle of a seven-game suspension.

Featured Today

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates a first-down catch against Oregon during the 2025 Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

The Biggest Changes to College Sports Are Coming in 2025

Sweeping developments could affect the college sports foundation this year.
Dec 31, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) walks out to the rink before the Winter Classic against the St. Louis Blues at Wrigley Field
January 1, 2025

Glitzy NHL New Year’s Eve Winter Classic Showcased Connor Bedard’s Star Power

The business of Bedard—on full display—is crucial for the NHL.
Pop-Tarts bowl tropfy
December 27, 2024

‘I Want to Play in That Game’: How the Pop-Tarts Bowl Went..

The bowl has players saying, “I want to play in that game.”
NHL Winter Classic 2024
December 26, 2024

NHL, TNT Pinning High Hopes on First New Year’s Eve Winter Classic

Can the dream setting of Wrigley Field lift flagging viewership?
Jul 29, 2024; Paris, France; Jagger Eaton of the United States, Yuto Horigome of Japan, and Nyjah Huston of the United States pose for a photo on the podium after the men’s street finals during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at La Concorde 3.

Olympic Medals From Paris Games Already Need to Be Replaced, IOC Says

Athletes complained about the condition of their medals before the Games ended.
AJ Brown
January 13, 2025

A.J. Brown Turned a Self-Help Book Into a No. 1 Bestseller

Brown was caught reading on the sidelines during the Eagles’ win Sunday.
January 13, 2025

LiAngelo Ball Reportedly Signs $13 Million Music Deal After Hit Song

Ball has never played in an NBA game.
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.
January 12, 2025

Carson Beck, Quinn Ewers Highlight NIL Mania In College Football

The former Georgia quarterback is getting paid big-time to transfer to Miami.
JJ Redick
January 10, 2025

Steve Kerr, JJ Redick Among Sports Figures Who Lost Homes in L.A...

Kerr said his family had owned the home since the 1960s.
Oct 12, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LiAngelo Ball before a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center.
January 8, 2025

LiAngelo Ball Never Reached the NBA. His Song Has Taken It by..

“Tweaker” is No. 8 on Spotify’s U.S. Top 50 songs playlist.
JJ Redick
January 8, 2025

How Los Angeles Fires Are Affecting Sports: Lakers Game Postponed

Wednesday night’s Kings-Flames game was called off.