Where are they now? Successful athletes after sports

A 2x weekly newsletter dedicated to sports fans everywhere. I discuss a wide range of issues in the sports world with an emphasis on the next man up.

If you’re a person who’s passionate about sports, I’m sure you have a favorite team, athlete, coach, etc. I know I do. Michael Jordan is my favorite athlete of all time. But whatever happens to the not-so-popular ones? The average professional sports career doesn’t last long, and I’ve always wondered what some of them are doing today. Did you know over 60 percent of professional athletes go broke 5 years after retirement? Not only did these athletes turned entrepreneurs defy the odds, they managed to take their off-the-field/court careers to the next level. Many of you may know a few of them.

The first man up is Vinnie “The Microwave” Johnson.

He was a professional basketball player, more famously known for his 6th man role with the Detroit Pistons. They called him the microwave because he was just that, instant offense. He could fill it up in a hurry. Today, Vinnie isn’t filling up the stat sheet. He’s too busy filling his bank account. With an estimated net worth of over 400 million, he’s definitely learned how to score off the court.

Vinnie retired from basketball in 1992, and approximately three years after retirement, he established Piston Automotive. He used his company to create economic stimulation, jobs, and opportunity in the city of Detroit. The company swiftly established itself as the number 1 supplier for major international automotive companies, including Ford Motor Company and General Motors. With over 2.9 billion in annual revenue, the Piston Group, known for its single facility in Detroit, decided to expand further in the Midwest. They now have locations in Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and Kentucky (ELT, 2023).

Vinnie has guided the company through lucrative joint ventures with industry-leading firms such as Lear Corporation, a leader in car seats and e-systems, Continental Teves, and Sachs Automotive. In addition, he is Chairman of the Board of Directors for the joint ventures JL Automotive, LLC and PASA Modules, LLC. Finally, he is well known for his philanthropic efforts in the Detroit Metro Area, along with ties to the Minority Business Development Council and Detroit Chamber of Commerce (ELT,2023).

The next man up is Junior Bridgeman.

Junior Bridgeman, drafted in 1975 by the Los Angeles Lakers, is more known for his 10-year run with the Milwaukee Bucks. Junior was a solid NBA player. He averaged 13.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.4 apg, and played a total of 12 years at approximately 350,000 a year, which adds up to $4.2 million. So how did he manage to become a multimillionaire with a net worth of $600 million? (S.I.,2022).

Junior was smart with his NBA earnings. He took a portion of his earnings and purchased a Wendy’s fast-food restaurant. Back in those days, Wendy’s wasn’t the popular brand it is today. Eventually, Bridgeman acquired over 250 Wendy’s and 120 Chilli’s restaurants. He sold them in 2016 before exploring other business ideas, like becoming a bottler for Coca-Cola and Sports Media (S.I.,2022).

The third man up is Michael Strahan.

During his playing days, Michael Strahan was known for his uncanny ability to get to the quarterback. He played 15 years as a defensive end for the New York Giants. Strahan finished with a total of 141.5 sacks, good for 5th all-time. Michael definitely knew how to get to the quarterback, but now he’s getting to the bag. With a storied career already intact, Michael decided to retire in 2007. These days, Michael is most well known for his role on Good Morning America, one of television’s most popular shows.

With a net worth of over 65 million, he’s living comfortably. Beyond GMA, Michael is hosting a hit game show, called The 100,000 Dollar Pyramid. Michael is all over network television, and who can blame him? He’s built a successful career on the screen. Recently, on GMA, he promoted his new skincare line, called Michael Strahan Skin and Shave Line. Two products were featured: (a) clear shaving lotion and (b) post-shave balm. Aside from men’s skincare products, various clothing pieces will be added to his growing list of goods (U.S. Sun, 2023).

Last, but not least, we have Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo, a future hall of famer, played a total of 19 seasons in the NBA. Melo played for 6 teams and was named to 10 all-star teams. He is listed as 6’7” and 238 lbs, with a unique ability to get his shot off against anyone. He played much bigger than his height and weight. Anthony retired from the NBA on May 22nd, 2023.

Now, six months after being removed from the NBA, Carmelo is building himself an empire. He boasts a 160 million dollar net worth, which includes, but is not limited to, his work as an entrepreneur and social justice activist.

“In 2005, just two years after his NBA debut, he founded the Carmelo Anthony Foundation, a charitable organization to help children and families living in impoverished and underserved areas by providing educational support, outreach programs, and donation services” (CEO, 2023).

Anthony also has a multitude of business ventures. He, along with his business partner, Asani Swann, operates Creative 7, a multi-platform production company that creates content for TV, film, audio and digital, VII-N- The Seventh Estate, a global wine estate brand that in 2022 released its inaugural blend, Oath of Fidelity, and Isos7 Sports Investment, an investment platform targeting a portfolio of sports leagues, teams, emerging properties and ancillary businesses across the world. The group has pledged to commit one percent of its profits to support underrepresented populations and underserved communities (CEO, 2023).

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More to come!

References

The CEO Magazine. (2023, May 30). Carmelo Anthony on how he’s using business as a force for good. https://www.theceomagazine.com/business/management-leadership/carmelo-anthony/

ELT - Vinnie Johnson. Piston Group. (2023, July 6). https://www.pistongroup.com/vinnie-johnson/

The story of the former Milwaukee Buck that became the richest NBA ... (2022). https://www.si.com/nba/bucks/old-school/former-milwaukee-buck-that-became-the-richest-nba-player-you-never-heard-of

The US Sun. (2023, September 24). Michael Strahan promotes fancy new business ventures away from GMA. The US Sun. https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/9166819/gma-host-michael-strahan-promotes-business-new-video/