Kevin Durant, the hooper business mogul, has crafted an empire that goes far beyond the hardwood. While fans continue to praise his smooth scoring ability on the court, KD has been quietly building a business portfolio that rivals his basketball accomplishments. His transition to entrepreneur, with the help of business partner Rich Kleiman, should be studied in schools for his brand evolution. Here’s a look at some of the Kevin Durant business ventures that made him a superstar off the court.
From Baseline to Bottom Line
Durant’s business acumen first gained serious attention with his 2014 MVP speech, where he famously called his mother “the real MVP.” That authentic and inspiring moment didn’t just showcase his character—it revealed the emotional intelligence that would later help him in boardrooms all over America.
Through his company Thirty-Five Ventures, also co-founded Rich Kleiman, Durant has transformed from NBA superstar to a legitimate business force. The company manages Durant’s investments, media production, and philanthropy with the same precision and energy KD shows when he’s on the court striving for another championship.
The Investment Portfolio
Durant’s investment strategy is aggressive; he was early in investing in companies like Postmates, Coinbase, and Robinhood, and has since seen returns that would impress even Wall Street veterans. His portfolio includes:
- Tech startups across various sectors
- Media properties, including The Boardroom
- Cannabis ventures
- Philadelphia Union
- Health and wellness technologies
What makes Durant’s approach unique is his preference for companies that show off his interest and where he can add value beyond capital. With his knowledge, he leverages his global platform and cultural insights to help portfolio companies scale.
Media Mastermind
Durant‘s media company, The Boardroom, has become a staple for sports business content. Setting itself apart, The Boardroom doesn’t merely exist for personal gain—it delivers genuine content and breakdowns of the intersection between sports, business, and culture.
Durant’s media empire extends beyond The Boardroom. His production company has developed documentaries for major networks, including “Basketball County: In the Water” for Showtime. The documentary explored his home county’s remarkable ability to produce basketball talent, such as Jerami Grant, Ty Lawson, and many more.
The KD Foundation: Business with Purpose
Durant’s experience as a youth living in a single-parent home and spending lots of time at community centers has been a driving force in his philanthropy work. The Kevin Durant Charity Foundation has renovated basketball courts in underserved communities worldwide and created educational programs that teach business fundamentals to youth.
He has built and renovated basketball facilities all over the world through his program “Build It and They Will Ball,” creating safe spaces for youth like the ones that he had coming up as a kid. This initiative reflects Durant’s understanding that true impact requires comprehensive, long-term support systems.
Lessons from the Hardwood
By now, you should be able to notice that basketball and business go hand in hand when it comes to Durant’s unique approach to off-court ventures. Durant has always been known for his efficiency, versatility, and clutch performance. These same qualities define the Kevin Durant business ventures and strategy: targeting investments in areas he understands, building a diverse portfolio across multiple industries, and the ability to identify opportunities others may not see.
The Future
Laying down such a solid foundation for when he retires makes him stand out among his peers, and makes the hooper business mogul so compelling. Looking at his previous moves, Durant’s ultimate ambition may be sports team ownership. He already has a minority stake in the Philadelphia Union, the major league soccer team, which could be a trial run to owning an NBA franchise later down the line.
Kevin Durant has made it clear that his impact will continue even after the ball stops. Retiring from basketball will kick off his full-time business career. If his second career is anything like his first, be prepared to continue to see Durant’s name in headlines throughout all aspects of business.
