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You can never predict JuJu Watkins’ next move. The University of Southern California (USC) basketball player is now an investor in the National Women’s Soccer League’s Boston Legacy Football Club (Boston Legacy FC), according to a press release. Watkins makes history in the process as the first college athlete to invest in a women’s professional sports team. She joins a group of investors that includes Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman, actress Elizabeth Banks, Celtics General Manager Brad Stevens, WNBA player Aliyah Boston, and Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. Sportico reports the city of Boston was awarded a National Women’s Soccer League team in 2023, and the team will begin competing in 2026. “Boston Legacy FC is creating a space for women to achieve, lead, and inspire others at the highest level, and I’m proud to be part of the movement pushing women’s sports forward,” Watkins said in a press release. Jennifer Epstein, controlling owner of Boston Legacy FC, commented:...
NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley is expanding his business ventures with a new 6,800-square-foot steakhouse and cigar lounge at Valley Forge Casino Resort in King of Prussia, PA, according to the Philadelphia Business Journal. The property’s owner, Boyd Gaming Corp., has not yet announced the name of the steakhouse or its official opening date. The company confirmed Barkley’s involvement and said the new venue will be located near the casino’s food court. Barkley, who played eight seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers after being drafted in 1984, said in a statement that he wanted to “bring something new” to the Philadelphia area, which he described as a place that has “always felt like home.” “We’re creating a spot that’s fun, comfortable, and full of personality,” Barkley said. “I want it to be the kind of place where people can unwind, share a great meal, and feel that same energy and connection that make this community so special.” According to the Philadelphia Business Journal,...
NFL running back Saquon Barkley has invested in AI data center startup Crusoe, joining other investors in the company’s $1.4 billion funding round, which values the startup at more than $10 billion, per Business Insider. According to the outlet, Crusoe, which calls itself “the AI Factory Company,” develops clean-energy-powered data centers for artificial intelligence. The company integrates energy sourcing, AI-optimized construction, and proprietary cloud services. Its Crusoe Cloud platform is used by AI startups, including Together AI and Fireworks, to provide computational resources for AI model training and data processing. Investors in the funding round also include Nvidia, Valor Equity Partners, Mubadala Capital, and Founders Fund. Details about Barkley’s individual investment were not disclosed, per Business Insider. The funds will support the expansion of Crusoe’s renewable-energy-powered data centers for large-scale AI operations. Barkley, who plays for the Philadelphia...
A judge has ruled in favor of an Ohio high school athlete looking to profit from NIL. Details of Lawsuit As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the mother of Jamier Brown, a top-ranked wide receiver in the U.S. attending Wayne High School near Dayton, OH, filed a lawsuit against the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA), as it does not permit student athletes to earn revenue from their name, image, and likeness (NIL). For Brown, this means missing out on possible deals worth more than $100,000. The lawsuit, filed in Franklin County, described OHSAA rulings around NIL as “outdated and unlawful” and that “OHSAA’s blanket ban not only singles out Ohio’s high school student athletes for unequal treatment, but it is also unlawfully suppresses their economic liberties, freedom of expression, and restrains competition in the NIL marketplace.” Brown, who intends to play football for Ohio State University, said, “I’m being raised by an amazing single mom who’s always doing her best to...
Jimmy Butler’s business portfolio is warming up. The Golden State Warriors player joined an investor group and is officially a minority investor in the National Women’s Soccer League’s San Diego Wave Fútbol Club (Wave FC), which was valued at $120 million in October 2024 after it was acquired by the Levine Leichtman family from Ron Burkle, according to The Athletic. Butler’s interest in soccer dates back to the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he attended the men’s final, The Athletic reports. He sees the investment in Wave FC as a chance to set a new standard in women’s sports. “Soccer has been a passion of mine for a long time, and being part of the game in a meaningful way has always been a dream,” Butler said in a press release. “San Diego has become a city close to my heart, and I’m proud to invest in a club that is pushing boundaries, building something lasting, and setting a new standard for what women’s sports can be both on and off the pitch,” he continued. View this post on...
High school football star Jamier Brown could reportedly rake in more than $100,000 if he were eligible to profit from NIL, ESPN reports. America’s top wide receiver in the class of 2027 cannot earn revenue from his name, image, and likeness (NIL) because the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) does not permit it. Some other states, including North Carolina, have begun to allow high schoolers to profit from NIL. States like Texas have approved bills allowing athletes 17 and up to enter NIL deals but with restrictions, Sports Illustrated reports. Students in Texas will not be able to receive money from NIL until they have enrolled in their named college and are participating in its athletic program. In an effort to encourage Ohio to join these other states, Brown’s mother, Jasmine, filed a lawsuit in Franklin County, believing the OHSAA’s stance on NIL is “outdated and unlawful,” per ESPN. The lawsuit claims that “OHSAA’s blanket ban not only singles out Ohio’s high school...
LeBron James is opening up about his finances. James has a net worth of $1.3 billion — with $900 million attributed to off-court earnings, including his deal with Nike — according to Forbes. However, as the first to establish wealth in his family, he admitted on the “Everybody’s Crazy” podcast — co-hosted by April McDaniel and his wife, Savannah — that it’s not easy to take financial risks when he considers his humble beginnings living in the Akron, OH, projects. “I will take a couple risks on the business side knowing that I can hustle it back or do something else, but also my other side is telling me ‘I’m first generational money maker in my household as far as my family,'” he explained on the podcast. “I always be thinking about where I come from, coming from the projects and in Akron, OH, and not having s—. It’s hard for me sometimes to take risk because if that s— happened or the whole can come off and it’s over with, I’mma be devastated,” he continued. James added that he...
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is expanding his portfolio. 888 Midas As AFROTECH ™ previously reported, Caleb Williams — the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft — launched investment firm 888 Midas that same year. The firm was created to “capitalize on select alternative investments in private equity, venture capital, and real estate,” notes a Business Wire press release. This fulfilled his desires as both an athlete and businessman, he said in the release . “Athletes are often inundated with and distracted by these opportunities. To eliminate the potential for distraction, it was important to me to immediately set up a business operation with established, trusted partners and advisors I’ve known for years to strategically take advantage of ventures in the global marketplace,” Williams commented. Investing In Boston Legacy Football Club 888 Midas’ latest investment is in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) club, Boston Legacy Football Club. According to a news...
A planned international basketball league is gaining momentum. Front Office Sports (FOS) reports that a five-on-five men’s and women’s basketball league, quietly called “Project B,” could launch by the fall of next year with tournaments in Asia, Europe, and Latin America. It will follow the blueprint of Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 basketball league, by offering equity to its players. The league’s investment group is led by Skype Co-founder Geoffrey Prentice and former Facebook executive Grady Burnett, reports FOS. Former WNBA player Candace Parker — who recently submitted a bid to bring a WNBA league to Nashville, TN, as AFROTECH™ previously reported — also backs the international league. Tennis players Novak Djokovic and Sloane Stephens, former WNBA player Alana Beard, ex-NFL quarterback Steve Young, and others are also listed as investors in the international team, per FOS. The league has also secured interest from “some of the game’s most respected athletes,” a spokesperson told FOS....
Russell Westbrook has launched a platform designed to close the digital accounts of the recently deceased. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, NBA players Russell Westbrook and Kemba Walker co-founded Eazewell alongside Donnell Beverly Jr., a former University of Connecticut NCAA player who serves as the company’s CEO. Having personally experienced the grief of losing loved ones, the founders built the platform to support others through similar challenges. Since its launch in May 2025, Eazewell has leveraged AI-powered technology to help more than 100,000 families better manage the complex tasks that follow a death, according to information shared with AFROTECH™ . The platform deploys 24/7 autonomous AI agents and includes assistance with filing paperwork for death certificates and providing financing options for funerals. “Traditional care providers have focused on the bedside, which is essential. Families today inherit more than property, family heirlooms, and money; they inherit an...
Chris Paul has expanded his investment portfolio. Drafted in 2005 by the New Orleans Hornets, Paul has earned $400.9 million in on-court salary, according to Spotrac. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the 12-time NBA All-Star suggested at this year’s American Black Film Festival that his NBA career may be nearing its end. He predicted he would play for a year “at the most.” When Paul’s time on the court concludes, he will have even more time to dedicate to his footprint as an entrepreneur and serial investor. His portfolio includes Ohh Dip!!! Entertainment, a full-service media production company that “specializes in non-scripted and scripted television, digital, documentaries, commercials, and films,” according to the organization’s website. Now, Paul has secured a minority stake in the Angel City Football Club (ACFC). According to a press release, the team is valued at $280 million, making it one of the most valuable women’s sports teams . Paul joins the investment group that...
A new platform has hit the market to ensure athletes can maximize their potential in the NIL landscape. According to the Business of College Sports, Morgan State University alum Peter Iwuh made history in 2023 when he launched the first Black-owned NIL marketing agency, Tykoon Sports Agency. The agency secured over 200 partnerships with brands, including CVS, NBC Sports, and Ruffles, according to a press release shared with AFROTECH™. Iwuh has a deep understanding of what it takes to become a household brand, having also supported professional athletes with marketing strategy and PR — including boxers Claressa Shields and Devin Haney — and working at Fortune 500 companies such as Sony Music Entertainment, Meta, and The Walt Disney Company. These experiences have helped Iwuh understand operational practices and systems, he shared in an interview with AFROTECH™. Still, his company hit a ceiling with their work, and is now turning to AI to expand their business. Tykoon AI Iwuh’s...
Most people recognize Michael Oher as the inspiration behind the blockbuster film,” The Bl ind Side ,” about an unhoused teenager adopted by a wealthy family who transforms into an NFL star. But, as reported by ESPN, in 2023, the 39-year-old surprised many by filing a legal petition claiming that the Tuohy family profited from his story without his permission. This revelation reignited debate over Hollywood biopics and how the subjects of these movies are portrayed and rewarded. It also brings into question Michael Oher’s compensation. What is Michael Oher’s net worth now, and how was it affected by the movie and controversy? The Athlete’s Childhood In Memphis Michael Oher was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on May 28, 1986. He was one of twelve children. His mother , Denise Oher, struggled with alcohol and substance use. His father, Michael Jerome Williams, was incarcerated and was eventually murdered when Michael was in high school, reports PEOPLE. According to Biography, Oher moved...
Kevin Durant is sitting on a lump sum of money he can’t access. With 15 All-Star appearances, the athlete has been in the NBA for 18 years and currently represents the Houston Rockets. On the court, Durant’s career earnings total to $447.9 million, notes Spotrac. He also reaps additional benefits through deals with FanDuel, Nike, and Fanatics, according to Forbes. As noted by the NBA, Durant made history as the third NBA player to sign a lifetime contract with Nike, joining Michael Jordan and LeBron James. Investments Durant also has a knack for investing and even launched Thirty Five Ventures (35V), an investment company founded alongside his agent, Rich Kleiman. Forbes notes that Durant has invested in more than 80 companies through 35V. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, 35V’s portfolio includes Goalsetter, Fractional, and Hugging Face. Bitcoin Durant has also entered the world of bitcoin, but there is a catch. At CNBC’s Game Plan 2025 event, Rich Kleiman said he encouraged Durant...
Naomi Osaka is trusting her gut both on and off the court. Naomi Osaka’s Net Worth The tennis star just wrapped a US Open run with victories against Daria Kasatkina, Coco Gauff, and Karolina Muchova, before falling short to No. 8 seed Amanda Anisimova. Across her career, Osaka has cultivated an estimated net worth of $45 million, Celebrity Net Worth reports. In 2025 alone, she earned $24.5 million in prize earnings, per ESPN. Her partnerships with brands such as Maybelline and ZICO have added to her wealth. In 2025, she landed a deal with Nike that pays $10 million annually, as AFROTECH™ previously reported. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ZICO (@zicococonut) BodyArmor Osaka signed an endorsement deal with beverage company, BodyArmor, in 2019. According to her longtime agent, Stuart Duguid, this proved to be a wise business move. In an interview with First&Red, he said Coca-Cola was also looking to sign Osaka, but she turned it down to earn more in the long run with...
