Game Changers Dope #4

LEGACY BUILDERS

Sadio Mané: From Football Superstar to Philanthropic Hero - You Won't Believe His Generosity.

Sadio Mané is the pride of Senegal. He is a professional football player who plays in the Senegalese national football team and Bayern Munich. He is regarded as one of the best players in the world and among the greatest African players of all time.

He won the English Premier League and UEFA Champions League with Liverpool FC and the Africa Cup with his Senegal national team. And was elected twice as African Player of the Year.

Through endorsements, Sadio Mané receives around $5 million. This Senegal International endorses several brands including New Balance, Western Union, and Indonesia Tourism.

Well, all of those accomplishments are undoubtedly newsworthy. But what Sadio Mané has done since becoming a pro athlete is 1.000x more impressive. He's also known for donating much of his $21 million a year salary as a professional footballer, especially toward helping his home village in Senegal.

Building a hospital: Mané donated approximately $700,000 to construct a hospital in Bambali. This donation aimed to address the lack of necessary medical attention in the area, which tragically led to the death of his father.

Funding a new school and providing laptops: He contributed $350,000 to build a new school and gifted each student with a laptop. This investment in education aimed to enhance access to quality education and empower the youth of his community.

Establishing infrastructure: Mané funded the construction of a gas station and a post office, which are essential services for the village. Additionally, he installed 4G internet connectivity throughout the entire village, improving access to information and communication.

Supporting families and high-achieving students: Mané reportedly provides each family in Bambali with a monthly support package of $75, which helps alleviate financial burdens. He also rewards high-achieving students at Bambali High School with more than $400 each.

Sadio Mané approach to wealth: "Why would I want ten Ferraris, 20 diamond watches, or two planes? What will these objects do for me and for the world? I was hungry, and I had to work in the field; I survived hard times, played football barefooted, I did not have an education and many other things, but today with what I earn thanks to football, I can help my people. I built schools, a stadium, we provide clothes, shoes, food for people who are in extreme poverty. In addition, I give 70 euros per month to all people in a very poor region of Senegal which contributes to their family economy. I do not need to display luxury cars, luxury homes, trips and even planes. I prefer that my people receive a little of what life has given me."

Witnessing a world-class athlete, who has accumulated over $50 million in earnings throughout his career, exemplify such remarkable humility, kindness, generosity, and self-awareness to assist others, is truly unparalleled.

MONEY MOVES

1. One Future Football announced it has raised $3 million in pre-seed funding led by Blackbird Ventures, with participation from strategic investors like soccer players Chris Smalling, Patrice Evra and Jesse Lingard and UFC fighter Kamaru Usman. Full story here.
2. Michael Jordan has agreed to sell his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets to a group led by Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall for an approximately $3 billion valuation, according to league sources. The transaction ends Jordan's 13-year run as majority owner. Full story here.
3. “Frugal” would be one word to describe Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson during his playing career in the NFL. During a recent sit-down interview with Shannon Sharpe on his “Club Shay Shay” podcast, Johnson revealed his secret to holding onto most of his earnings from football. Full story here.

IMPACT STANDOUTS

Manuela Mandl (Snowboarder, Austria)

Meet the remarkable snowboarder hailing from Vienna, the proud champion of Austria's freeride world and a true nature enthusiast. Not only does she hold the title as the country's first-ever snowboard freeride world champion, but she also has a deep passion for environmental preservation.

As an ambassador for POW (Protect Our Winters), she actively advocates for climate protection and is currently involved in the promotion of Austria's climate protection law. Furthermore, she leads by example, personally contributing to the cause by exclusively utilizing public transportation for her travel to each competition of the renowned Freeride World Tour.

WTF PRODUCTS

The renowned German football icon Lukas Podolski established his own streetwear brand, Strassenkicker. This fashion label specializes in crafting a range of trendy apparel such as t-shirts, hoodies, tracksuits, caps, and accessories, all of which bear a thematic connection to Podolski's beloved hometown of Cologne.

Taking his entrepreneurial spirit further, Podolski partnered with the esteemed Japanese internet service company Rakuten, to unveil the Strassenkicker Base - a cutting-edge gaming arena. This innovative facility boasts an array of amenities including five artificial grass football pitches, two versatile futsal pitches, and a panna cage, designed specifically for the exhilarating street football game known as panna. Additionally, the venue offers dedicated areas for wheelchair sports and e-gaming, catering to a diverse range of athletic interests.

I hope you enjoyed this newsletter. If you did, please share with friends who you think will get something out of it.