Game Changers Dope #2

LEGACY BUILDERS

The Secrets Behind Maria Sharapova's Entrepreneurial Success.

Maria Sharapova, former World No.1 tennis player, has made a name for herself both on and off the court. Throughout her tennis career, she won five Grand Slam titles and became one of the most successful tennis players of her generation. However, Sharapova's achievements extend far beyond the tennis court.

Maria Sharapova - $220M Net Worth - is considered a great athlete entrepreneur for several reasons:

1. Athletic Achievements: Sharapova was one of the most successful tennis players of her generation, winning five Grand Slam titles, including two French Open titles, one Australian Open title, and two US Open titles.

2. Brand Endorsement Deals: She has also been a successful brand ambassador, representing many top brands like Nike, Porsche, and Evian, which has helped her build a strong personal brand and increase her net worth.

3. Entrepreneurial Ventures: Sharapova is the co-founder of a high-end candy company named Sugarpova. It was founded in 2012.

4. Investments: Maria Sharapova is also known for her investments in various businesses. She has invested in a number of startups, including the tech wellness brand, Therabody, an investment platform, Public, and crypto firm MoonPay, as well as a board seat with Moncler Group, a fashion company.

Sharapova has also invested in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and sunscreen company Supergoop. She even appeared as a guest on ABC’s Shark Tank, where she and Mark Cuban invested in a wearable weights company called Bala.

5. Philanthropic Efforts: Sharapova is also known for her philanthropic efforts, particularly her work with the Maria Sharapova Foundation, which supports children's education and health initiatives around the world.

Her ability to translate her fame and success into business opportunities has made her one of the most successful athlete entrepreneurs of her generation. Her investments in startups and her role as an advisor to a venture capital firm have only further solidified her reputation as a savvy businesswoman.

BUSINESS INSIGHTS

The Rise of Athlete Entrepreneurs: How Elite Athletes Are Building Successful Businesses.

Athletes are more than just masters of their sports; they embody a set of remarkable qualities that seamlessly translate into the realm of business. With their unwavering discipline, laser-like focus, indomitable resilience, and relentless determination, athletes possess a unique skill set that propels them to thrive in the competitive landscape of entrepreneurship.

Join us as we explore how athletes leverage their winning attributes to conquer new frontiers, reshape industries, and build thriving businesses in the world beyond the playing field.

1. Transferable Skills: Athletes possess a unique set of skills such as discipline, focus, resilience, and determination, which can be applied to the business world. Athletes also understand the importance of teamwork, leadership, and strategy, which are essential for building and managing successful businesses.

2. Strong Personal Brand: Elite athletes often have a strong personal brand, built through years of hard work, dedication, and high performance. This personal brand can be leveraged to attract customers, investors, and partners to their businesses.

3. Access to Networks: Athletes have access to a wide range of networks, including fans, sponsors, and fellow athletes. These networks can be invaluable for marketing, promotion, and business development.

4. Financial Resources: Successful athletes often have significant financial resources, which they can invest in their own businesses or use to attract external investment.

5. Post-Career Planning: Many athletes have a relatively short career span and need to plan for their post-career future. Building a successful business can provide a new source of income and a sense of purpose beyond their athletic career.

Highlight: Louis Saha, ex-Manchester United footballer, is the founder of AxisStars, a platform that provides financial advice to athletes, agents, and coaches, ultimately helping them better manage their money.

Overall, athletes have unique attributes and resources that can give them an advantage in building successful businesses. By leveraging their skills, personal brand, networks, and financial resources, athletes can transition from their athletic career to successful entrepreneurship.

MONEY MOVES

1. Two of Germany’s leading sports stars – four-time F1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel and double Olympic sailing bronze medallist Erik Heil – alongside team owner Thomas Riedel, to announce the Germany SailGP Team. Full story here.
2. The UIM E1 World Championship electric boat racing league has found its latest team as it prepares to launch its inaugural season later this year. Former Chelsea and Ivory Coast footballer Didier Drogba and his partner Gabrielle LeMaire have signed on as owners of the fourth E1 racing team to join the growing league. Full story here.
3. Estrela da Amadora is Portuguese football club owned by a foreign investor: MYFC, owned by the French footballer Patrice Evra, bought 90% of SAD. Full story here.

IMPACT STANDOUTS

High Impact Athletes mission is to create a groundswell of positive impact in the world, driven by the generosity and social influence of successful athletes.

High Impact Athletes connects athletes with the most cost-effective, evidence-based charities in the world in the sectors of Global Health & Poverty, Climate Change, and Animal Welfare, and we harness the power of the collective athlete voice to educate the world about the outsized benefits of giving effectively.

Their charity selections are based on recommendations made by the most rigorous and stringent charity research organisations in the world: GiveWell, The Life You Can Save, and Animal Charity Evaluators, as well as reports and grants from the Open Philanthropy Project, and Founder’s Pledge.

As of 1st March 2023 their team includes over 160 athletes across 38 sports and 30 countries!

Stefanos Tsitsipas (Tennis Player, Greece): “As a professional athlete I have a platform, and I'd like to use this platform to do as much good in the world as possible. High Impact Athletes makes it easy to have a huge amount of positive impact with your donations.”

Luuka Jones (Canoe Slalom, New Zealand): “The concept that a dollar can have different amounts of impact, depending on where and to whom it is donated, is something I hadn’t considered before. I am proud to align with HIA, who have done the ground work in identifying where our donations will have the highest impact in tackling serious global issues.”

WTF PRODUCTS

Highlighting products or brands owned or co-owned by athletes.

Sneaky Fox is Chicago’s vodka. A smooth non-traditional vodka, boasting notes of vanilla and white peppercorn.

Founded by Mike Magee, a footballer who had an illustrious career in Major League Soccer most notably as a two-time MLS Cup Champion with the LA Galaxy and as an MLS MVP with his hometown Chicago Fire. Magee founded Sneaky Fox vodka in 2018.

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