Super Bowl champion Vernon Davis racked up nearly $80 million while playing, but he’s run innovative routes to secure off-the-field success, too, from letting fans invest in his future earnings to backing beverage brands and owning sports teams.
The longtime 49ers tight end most recently invested in G.O.A.T. Fuel, Jerry Rice’s beverage brand that uses cordyceps mushrooms. He’s also backed Riff Energy and Path Water, brands that tout sustainability. He says those deals show he invests with passion and purpose.
“If I’m not passionate about something, I’m probably not going to be part of it,” he tells Front Office Sports.
Davis, 41, recently spoke to FOS about his investment portfolio, including one opportunity he regrets passing up on, as well as how he has continued to reinvent himself since walking away from the game of football in 2020.
Front Office Sports: Your most recent investment was G.O.A.T. Fuel, Jerry Rice’s beverage brand that uses cordyceps mushrooms as an ingredient. How did that come about?
Vernon Davis: Jerry’s a good friend of mine, and we both played for the 49ers, so we were already family. I was a huge fan of the product before I invested. Usually, when I love something and can see the opportunity to be involved organically, either through investing or as an ambassador, I inquire. Jerry came back to me and said “we would love to have you.”
FOS: While you were playing, you let fans invest in your future career earnings through a company called Fantex. Was that your first foray into the investment world?
VD: Before Fantex, I was part of Krave Jerky. That was my very first investment where I had some success. We sold to Hershey’s [the 2015 deal was worth more than $220 million].
After that came Fantex. That was a great journey and a great concept. They dissolved the company, and the founders launched a new firm called X10, so anything that had to do with Fantex is no longer in existence.
FOS: You’ve also invested in sports teams, like DC Power—a women’s soccer team that plays in the USL Super League—and Australian basketball team the Brisbane Bullets. How do sports teams compare to your other investments?
VD: Completely different. I’m on the other side of it now, so I’m looking at how fans are engaging, how many people come to the game, and what their experiences are like after they enter the gates but before they sit down in their seats.
I’m continuing to learn, too. This is not my world. My world has always been playing the game of football. But as time goes by, you gain more knowledge about whatever it is you’re doing. That’s the ride I’m taking right now.
FOS: Have you thought about owning an NFL team, even if it’s a minority stake?
VD: Yeah, I’ve thought about it. If the opportunity ever comes about, I would definitely look into it. Any team that is reputable, respected, and has been in existence for many years—like the 49ers—I think it’s a no-brainer for sure.
FOS: Are there any examples of something you passed on that, looking back, you wish you would have invested in?
VD: I looked at Ring, the home security system. I met the creator and had the opportunity to do a direct investment. I didn’t. I wish I would have, because Ring has changed the way we look at protection when it comes to alarm systems.
FOS: Outside of investing, what keeps you busy post-playing career?
VD: I’ve done a lot in entertainment. I did a few films, and you know what they say—if you hang around the barbershop long enough, you’ll get a haircut. It was like that with me and film. I just kept meeting people, showing up in different films, and next thing you know I’ve done 20-plus films in the last six years. Right now, I’m on set for an HGTV show called Rock the Block.
I also have a weekly podcast, Next Role, where I interview guests from athletes and entertainers to entrepreneurs and business leaders.
FOS: Do you have a dream guest?
VD: Steve Harvey. I love his journey; he has continued to evolve. I would also love to have [Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson].
FOS: O.K., last thing. Who is your biggest role model?
VD: The only role model I had growing up was my grandmother. She didn’t go to school for business, she didn’t understand investing and things of that nature—but she was very wise in how to approach things. She was my inspiration for everything that I’m doing.
