James Harden is a very successful businessman and during an appearance on the Earn Your Leisure podcast, he revealed Kobe Bryant had advised him to invest in BodyArmor early on in his career.
“Kobe basically was like, ‘We going to put a stash of $5 million and then any business opportunities—it might be a little $200,000, it might be $500,000 just depending on what investment it is—we going to put a pot together and we just going to invest our money'”, Harden said. “… BodyArmor was the beginning of that.
“We seen how it is, we built the whole business up and it took eight to 10 years,” Harden continued. “Look what it’s done… I just try to give the guys as much opportunity in game as they want, but I’m not going to force it on them, because nowadays these young dudes is kind of crazy.”
Later in the episode, Harden revealed he invested $500,000 in BodyArmor and got a nice return on it.
“I put $500 grand into BodyArmor and it got me a good amount of money back,” Harden stated. “I think Kobe, if I’m not mistaken put $8 million into it. All in, $8-9 million.”
Bryant reportedly invested $6 million in BodyArmor in March 2014 and got a 10% stake. In 2021, Coca-Cola paid $5.6 billion for full control of the brand (previously owned a 15% stake) and that sale netted the Bryant family approximately $400 million. Talk about a great investment. Following that sale, Harden sent a message to Bryant on Instagram.
“We did it, bro! Help build one of the best sports drinks created. Wish you were here to celebrate. We still coin hard for you. Much love. 8.24.”
“We did it bro!”
James Harden sends a message to Kobe after BodyArmor sells for $5.6B 🙏 (via @JHarden13) pic.twitter.com/QxjNqhXkti
— Overtime (@overtime) November 2, 2021
Harden didn’t reveal exactly how much he made, but it would have been a lot. He is now following in Bryant’s footsteps by helping his younger teammates. If they ask him for advice, the Los Angeles Clippers star gives it, or if he sees an opportunity for them, he shares it. That’s exactly how it should be and, hopefully, Harden’s younger teammates will follow in his footsteps years down the road.
Kobe Bryant Is James Harden’s GOAT
Bryant has gone down as one of the greatest players of all time and sits atop Harden’s all-time rankings. During an interview with HoopsHype in June, Harden explained why Kobe is his GOAT.
“There was only one person who made me love, I mean fall in love with the game, and that’s Kobe Bryant. Being from LA and being a Lakers fan watching him grow up and win several championships and his passion and love and what he did for the game of basketball, I think the world, you know, feels the same way, but that’s why I started playing basketball. The skill set and things that I’ve learned, I kind of picked up on my own, but as far as falling in love with the game, it’s definitely been Kobe.”
Harden is just one of many current and former players who consider Bryant to be the best. He won five titles, two Finals MVPs, an MVP, and two scoring titles in his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers. He made quite an impact on an entire generation of hoopers and it’s not surprising that so many of them hold him in such high regard.
As for Harden, he too has made quite an impact on the players that have come after him. The 10-time All-Star is one of the greatest shooting guards in NBA history and the only thing missing from his resume is a championship.
Harden is still playing at a high level for the Clippers, averaging 20.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 8.8 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game in this 2024-25 season, but I can’t say I’m optimistic he’ll win a title with them. They’re currently 10-7 on the season and will take on the Philadelphia 76ers, his former team, next at Wells Fargo Center on Sunday at 6 PM ET.
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