Baron Davis spent 13 years playing professional basketball for the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks before starting his own business as a sports agent and entrepreneur. Spending time with franchise executives and player agents over the course of his career piqued his interest in the behind-the-scenes aspects of the basketball industry.
In a recent interview with the U.S. Chamber’s Senior Vice President of Strategic Alliance and Outreach Rick Wade, Davis shared more about his time in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and his pivot to being a business owner.
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From Professional Athlete to Business Owner
Davis said he created his company, Business Inside the Game (BIG), as a place for athletes to connect, network, and grow. Through their summits, BIG curates programming that fosters conversation and incubates new business ideas.
“Our goal was to build a funnel where we can now start to matchmake the right people within the right ecosystem, so there can be success,” said Davis. BIG serves as a filter, aiding continuity between entrepreneurs, investors, and advisors.
He is also the founder of Sports, Lifestyle in Culture (SLiC) and an investor in Vitaminwater, WNBA, Kitu Super Coffee, Sleeper, Thrive, Cann Drinks, Tracklib, Toucan, Vidy, and other companies.
Impact of 'Name Image Likeness' for Athletes
Davis also discussed how Name Image Likeness (NIL) rules now allow athletes to create their own enterprises while still playing, thus enabling them to build a more sustainable long-term career.
Professional and collegiate athletes can now curate their own brand and own their space in the market. For example, many athletes now find success by leveraging social media for sponsorship, business and media opportunities.
Emerging Technologies
BIG’s work with startups has created a unique vantage point for Davis into emerging technologies poised to make an impact on how we experience sports and entertainment, including AI.
He says those who understand how AI works today will play a pivotal role in the future of sports and become leaders of the industry.
Upcoming Ventures
Davis is gearing up to expand his entrepreneurial journey by launching his latest platform, Black Hollywood Live. The venture aims to create a space where creators can submit content and have ownership of its distribution, fostering an inclusive and empowered creative community.
