Kobe’s Hall of Fame Career in Business

Five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant will be enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame posthumously on Saturday and he leaves a legacy that transcends sports. 

Kobe earned just over $323 million during his 20 seasons in a Lakers uniform, providing the 18-time All-Star with resources to build a remarkable business portfolio.

• He founded Bryant Stibel & Co., a VC firm that invested in more than 40 businesses including Epic Games. 
• Launched Granity Studios, an Academy Award-winning multimedia company. 
• Co-founded sports drink brand BodyArmor, which generates more than $1 billion in sales and plans to overtake Gatorade as the No. 1 sports drink by 2025.
• Co-founded Art of Sport, a line of body and skincare products made for athletes. The company has an exclusive deal with Target. 

Kobe’s business legacy continues with what appears to be the imminent debut of a Mamba sneaker and apparel brand.

Vanessa Bryant and Kobe’s estate failed to reach an agreement on a new contract with Nike last month, ending an 18-year relationship with the company.

Michael Jordan and Vanessa Bryant will present Kobe for induction in a Hall of Fame class that includes Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, and Tamika Catchings.