Retired NBA Champion, CEO, Kobe Inc., Kobe Bryant speaks onstage during 2016 Milken Institute Global Conference at The Beverly Hilton on May 03, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.
Kobe Bryant‘s $6 million investment in a sports drink has really paid off since he made it more than four years ago.
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.
SLIDESHOW: 30 Best Sports Instagrams!
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!
A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.
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 Harden, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, and golfer Dustin Johnson.
30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW
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.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. is back in the news, this time for a legal battle outside…
The New York Knicks dominated the Eastern Conference finals, sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers in four…
The reported departure of Pep Guardiola from Manchester City could signal the beginning of a…
The controversial Enhanced Games, which allow athletes to use steroids, kicked off in Las Vegas…
Daniel Suarez honored the late Kylie Busch after winning the Coca-Cola 600. While Suarez was…
The San Antonio Spurs earned a major win Sunday, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 103-82…