Thread by @AndrewPetcash

Kobe Bryant may have made the BEST athlete investment of all time.

Turning $6M into over $400 million.

Here's the fascinating story:

1) Where it all began...

Mike Repole, Lance Collins, and Kobe.

• 𝐌𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐞 - founded and sold Glaceau to Coca-Cola for $4.7 billion

• 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐬 - founded and sold Fuze Tea to Coca-Cola for $250 million

• 𝐊𝐨𝐛𝐞 - 5x NBA champ, 18x all-star

2) In 2011, Mike Repole and Lance Collins co-founded a new beverage company.

They promoted it as a "healthier alternative to Gatorade and Powerade".

By 2013, the drink was doing $10M in sales.

To take it to the next level...

3) They knew they needed some power.

Through mutual connections, they got their drink in front of NBA star Kobe Bryant.

And after just 1 sip...

Kobe said he wanted to invest in the drink.

4) In 2014, Kobe Bryant paid $6 million for a 10% stake in BodyArmor.

Meaning the company was valued at $60M.

Kobe got right to work...

He started promoting the drink and doing commercials for them.

5) And it paid off...

In 2018, Coca-Cola paid $300M for 15% of BodyArmor (at a $2B valuation).

Kobe's $6M investment was now worth $200M on paper.

But it gets even better...

6) Coca-Cola later decided to buy the remaining 70% of BodyArmor.

(Valuing the company at $8B).

This turned Kobe's initial $6M investment, into north of $400 million.

A 66x return on his money. Incredible!

7) Not only did Kobe make a fortune...

Throughout his time with BodyArmor, he made sure other athletes got some equity.

All of them made millions thanks to Kobe.

And last year...

BodyArmor donated $24 million to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation.

And released a new strawberry grape flavor of BodyArmor called “Mamba Forever.”

In honor of the great Kobe Bryant.

Follow @AndrewPetcash for more sports investment stories

Here's another one you might enjoy:

https://twitter.com/AndrewPetcash/status/1530911865701801985?s=20&t=vrlvDTxCDyjKfZmxL8c0Ig