Kobe Bryant‘s $6 million investment in a sports drink has really paid off since he made it more than four years ago.

Kobe Earns big Return On Sports Drink Investment

The 39-year-old former NBA star’s stake in sports beverage BodyArmor is now worth a whopping $200 million, according to ESPN. Bryant first invested in 10 percent of the brand in March 2014. On Tuesday, Coca-Cola bought a minority stake in BodyArmor.

BodyArmor is reportedly a healthier version of Gatorade. Only three investors now own larger stakes than former Los Angeles Lakers star Bryant in the company: BodyArmor co-founder Mike Repole, Coca-Cola and Keurig Dr. Pepper.

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According to ESPN, BodyArmor is expected to attain more than $400 million in sales this year.

Bryant received $328 million over the course of his 20-year professional basketball career. The five-time NBA champion also recently launched his own production company Granity Studios, and has already been well rewarded since: he won an Oscar earlier this year for his animated short film Dear Basketball. 

ESPN reported that several other famous athletes own stakes in BodyArmor as part of their sponsorship deals, including Houston Rockets point guard (and reigning NBA MVP) James HardenIndianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, and golfer Dustin Johnson. 

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Bryant is the second NBA star in recent years to earn a hefty return on a business investment. In May 2014, LeBron James made $30 million thanks to a small stake in headphones Beats by Dre after Apple purchased the brand.

Last week, Bryant visited Alabama’s football team and spoke to head coach Nick Saban and his players.

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Pablo Mena

Article by Pablo Mena

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