Kobe Bryant was more than just an NBA legend. An Academy Award-Winning artist, producer, writer, and whatnot. Bryant showed that there were many sides to him apart from his iconic basketball career. He once helped alter the landscape of sports media and players’ involvement with a massive investment in another sports icon Derek Jeter’s media venture.

The LA Lakers legend invested in the Players’ Tribune, a media platform started by New York Yankees legend Derek Jeter. Notably, the Yankee legend had founded the Tribune in 2014, but needed outside investment to get it going. Bryant believed in the venture and led an investment of $15 million. In 2015, the Los Angeles Lakers legend opened up on why he made the investment. 

Kobe Bryant opened up on investing in Derek Jeter’s Players’ Tribune

In November 2015, Kobe Bryant announced that he was retiring after the 2015 NBA season. A month prior to that, he led a group of investors that invested $15 million into Derek Jeter’s Players’ Tribune. Bryant was impressed with Jeter’s idea of letting athletes control their message. Furthermore, he believed that it was a good business investment. During an interview, the Black Mamba opened up on the deal.

During the interview, Bryant said, “I just think it’s that age where players really wanna be able to communicate directly. I think it’s important for fans and also for athletes to have different options. There’s a filtered perspective and there’s also a perspective which is coming directly from the athlete. So, it’s uh, it’s fun for me to be a part of.” 

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This investment from Bryant helped Jeter’s Players’ Tribune tremendously and strengthened the relationship between the two sporting icons. Following the Black Mamba’s passing, Jeter also penned a touching note for the Bryant family.

Does Derek Jeter still own The Players’ Tribune?

Despite investing time, effort, and money into the Players’ Tribune, Derek Jeter was unable to sustain it. In 2019, the former New York Yankees legend sold the platform to Minute Media for an undisclosed amount. Jeter continued to be involved with the Tribune and joined Minute Media’s Board of Directors.

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Do you think Bryant made a wise investment in Jeter’s firm at the time? Kindly share your thoughts on the topic in the comments section below!