10 Times Athletes Turned Side Hustles Into Big Business
Many athletes build successful businesses once their careers begin. These ventures offer real products and long-term value. They’ve launched companies in various niches, including food, fashion, tech, and media. This list shows how athletes bring the same focus to business that they once brought to competition.
LeBron James – SpringHill Company
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LeBron co-founded SpringHill, a production company behind major film and television projects. With business partner Maverick Carter, the company attracted investment from major studios and tech giants. This move gave James control of his image and helped bring underrepresented voices to the forefront of entertainment.
Venus Williams – EleVen by Venus
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Venus did not rely on endorsements and instead built her own fashion-forward athletic brand where she controls the creative and business direction. EleVen focuses on performance wear with bold, functional designs. Her vision extended over and above tennis and found the perfect combination of sport and lifestyle.
George Foreman – Foreman Grill
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This heavyweight champ pivoted into kitchens across America. George Foreman’s lean, mean grilling machine became one of the most successful celebrity-endorsed products of all time. The grill sold over 100 million units worldwide. Foreman reportedly earned over $200 million—far more than from boxing—by putting his name on a product that simplified cooking.
Serena Williams – Serena Ventures
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Serena’s off-court impact now includes venture capital. Through Serena Ventures, she’s invested in over 60 startups, many led by women and people of color. Her portfolio includes everything from fintech to health tech. She is currently reshaping what athlete-driven investing looks like with a focus on long-term growth and equity.
Tom Brady – TB12 & Brady Brand
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Tom built a business around his longevity. TB12 offers training gear, nutrition advice, and supplements. He followed up with Brady Brand, a performance wear line. Both endeavors reflect his personal approach to health and recovery, which gives fans access to the tools that kept him at the top for decades.
Patrick Mahomes & Travis Kelce – 1587 Prime Steakhouse
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Kansas City fans will soon have a new place to eat. Mahomes and Kelce are opening 1587 Prime, a luxury steakhouse at the Loews Kansas City Hotel. It’s named after their jersey numbers, and the restaurant features football-themed design touches and aims to offer high-end dining.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – Teremana & ZOA
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After conquering wrestling and movies, The Rock entered beverages. Teremana Tequila quickly became one of the fastest-growing tequila brands in the U.S. Meanwhile, ZOA, his energy drink, targets fitness-focused consumers.
Shaquille O’Neal – Big Chicken & Investments
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Shaq’s business portfolio is as massive as his personality. He owns a piece of Papa John’s, has stakes in tech startups, and opened Big Chicken—a growing fast-casual chain. His hands-on approach to branding and marketing keeps him visible in multiple industries.
Naomi Osaka – Kinlò Skincare
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Sun protection hasn’t always included everyone, so Naomi helped change that. She set up Kinlò to serve people with melanin-rich skin, a group often ignored by mainstream skincare brands. The range focuses on education and daily-use products made for real needs. The player remains involved in development and outreach and has successfully turned a personal gap into a meaningful business.
Russell Westbrook – Honor the Gift
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Westbrook created Honor the Gift to promote style. The clothing collection has been inspired by his upbringing in South Central LA and merges streetwear with personal narrative. Its growth in the street fashion space shows how authenticity and storytelling can power a business beyond the game.
Steph Curry – Unanimous Media
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Telling stories became Curry’s new play. Through Unanimous Media, he focuses on content that highlights family, faith, and underrepresented voices. He’s landed projects with major platforms like Netflix and Audible.
Maria Sharapova – Sugarpova
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Candy and competition may not seem like a match, but Sharapova made it work. Sugarpova was launched in 2012 as a premium candy brand and later expanded into chocolate and lifestyle products. She managed to take a sweet idea and create a business that continues to grow years after her retirement.
CJ McCollum – Heritage 91 Wine
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McCollum brought his off-court interest in wine to life with Heritage 91, a label rooted in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. His genuine passion and hands-on involvement in the process won respect from wine critics and fans alike.
Blake Griffin – Mortal Media
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Instead of waiting around for Hollywood roles, Griffin opened the doors to his own production company. Mortal Media develops film and TV projects that often combine humor with heart. He’s partnered with former NFL player Ryan Kalil and uses the company to shape how athletes are portrayed in entertainment.
Cristiano Ronaldo – CR7 Brand
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The CR7 label—named after Ronaldo’s jersey number—includes underwear, fragrances, footwear, and casual wear. The famous soccer player didn’t lend his name, instead, he helped shape the brand from the ground up. The global reach of CR7 rivals major fashion houses, which gives Ronaldo a second identity as a style icon and entrepreneur.
Michael Jordan – Jordan Brand
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Jordan’s Nike partnership became its own entity. The Jordan Brand generates billions annually and sponsors dozens of top athletes. He may have started with a simple sneaker line, but today, it has grown into an empire that defines the athlete’s long-term success.