• Loading stock data...
Sunday, June 22, 2025

More Stars Investing In Mental Health

  • Megan Rapinoe, Kevin Love, and Michael Phelps have all raised money and awareness for mental health startups.
  • Mental health startups brought in $932 million in venture capital in 2020.
Olympian Michael Phelps is open about his mental health.
William Glasheen, USA TODAY NETWORK/Design: Alex Brooks

Many athletes put money into health and fitness startups, and several others have invested in a different area of wellness: mental health.

While wellness startups attracted less VC investment overall in the first half of 2020, mental health startups brought in $932 million, more than the previous three years combined. 

Earlier this month, U.S. Women’s National Team star Megan Rapinoe and Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks were part of a $10 million Series A round for mental health care startup Real. Real provides therapy, events, and mental health tracking for a monthly subscription.

Rapinoe, who is also an advisor to the company, praised Real for making mental health services more accessible when they can often be challenging to find.

Decorated Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps has been vocal about his ongoing mental health battles, including substance abuse, depression, and suicidal thoughts. He explored his challenges in the HBO documentary “The Weight of Gold,” which he narrated and co-produced. 

Phelps is now a spokesperson for the talk therapy app Talkspace and a board member for Medibio, a company that diagnoses depression and other mental health issues.

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love is also making an effort to fight stigmas against talking about mental health publicly. 

Love, who experienced a panic attack during a game in 2017, has been vocal about his challenges and invested in a seed round for Coa, a “mental health fitness” company.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

July 9, 2009; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons president Joe Dumars during the press conference to introduce their new head coach John Kuester at their practice facility.

Joe Dumars Leaving NBA League Office to Run Pelicans

Joe Dumars was the architect of the 2004 champion Pistons.
Mar 20, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks forward Karter Knox (11) controls the ball against Kansas Jayhawks during the first half at Amica Mutual Pavilion.

Men’s March Madness Sets Opening-Day Viewership Record

CBS Sports and TNT Sports scored big with Arkansas–Kansas.

Callaway’s LIV Deal Shows How Much Golf Has Shifted

The company has signed a first-of-its-kind club contract.
Jun 13, 2018; Moscow, Russia; A general view of a beer stand inside of Luschniki Stadium one day prior to the start of the FIFA World Cup 2018.

Saudi Arabia Says No Alcohol at 2034 World Cup

Saudi Arabia won’t allow alcohol anywhere during the 2034 World Cup.

Featured Today

Mar 15, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA; UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) dribbles the ball upcourt against the North Texas Mean Green during the first half at Dickies Arena

NIL Is Shrinking the Pool of NBA Draft Entrants

Agents are now advising many players to stay in school.
Apr 24, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter on the red carpet before the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field
June 21, 2025

‘More Is More’: The Elite Luxury Jewelers Decking Out Athletes

Meet the elite group of luxury designers crafting the biggest statement pieces.
Dec 5, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; FIFA president Gianni Infantino presents the FIFA Club World Cup trophy during the Club Word Cup draw at Telemundo Studios.
June 15, 2025

Revamped Club World Cup Is FIFA’s Billion-Dollar Gamble

The revamped soccer event debuts amid controversy.
Jun 10, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino stands during the anthem against the Switzerland during the first at Geodis Park
June 14, 2025

Gold Cup Is Complicated for USMNT—but U.S. Soccer Has Its Eyes on..

Uncertain tournament success isn’t fazing forward-looking U.S. soccer.
Jun 19, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) shoots the ball against Indiana Pacers center Tony Bradley (13) during the first half of game six of the 2025 NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Pacers’ Tony Bradley Has Made Just $330K This Year Despite Finals Run

Bradley was signed by the Pacers on March 2 to a 10-day contract.
June 20, 2025

Hockey’s Best Player Enters Contract Year Noncommittal About Future

The superstar becomes a free agent next year absent a contract extension.
Mar 12, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Ace Bailey (4) shoots the ball while USC Trojans guard Kevin Patton Jr. (8) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
June 20, 2025

Ace Bailey Cancels Sixers Workout a Week Before NBA Draft

The former Rutgers star is a projected top-three pick in Wednesday’s draft.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Ted Leonsis unpacks basketball’s global rise, media rights, and portfolio ownership.
A pack of runners during the 129th running of the Boston Marathon at Heartbreak Hill in Newton, April 21, 2025.
June 18, 2025

Boston Marathon Qualifying Changes Target Downhill Racing Company

A new rule will apply time penalties to downhill races starting in 2027.
Noah Lyles
June 17, 2025

Tyreek Hill–Noah Lyles Race Is Off for ‘Personal Reasons’

Lyles and Hill agreed to a race in February with few concrete details.
June 17, 2025

Ja Morant Calls Out Stephen A. Smith After Memphis Claims

Smith made comments about the city on ESPN’s “First Take” Tuesday.
Sylvia Fowles
June 17, 2025

Sylvia Fowles’s Life After Hall of Fame Career

Fowles is considering a return to basketball.