• Loading stock data...
Monday, February 24, 2025

Kevin Durant Scores Big on Coinbase

  • Coinbase’s direct public listing is great news for Kevin Durant, who was an early-stage investor.
  • Durant’s Thirty Five Ventures has a range of tech company and sports-related investments.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

On Tuesday, Kevin Durant scored 31 points on the Timberwolves, his best performance in two-and-a-half months. On Wednesday, he notched an even bigger win when Coinbase went public.

The crypto exchange market, known for providing an easy on-ramp for casual investors to buy bitcoin and other blockchain-based coins, went public via a direct listing.

The crypto exchange market, known for providing an easy on-ramp for casual investors to buy bitcoin and other blockchain-based coins, went public via a direct listing.  Coinbase shares closed at $328.28 today, valuing the company at $86 billion.

That’s good news for KD, who bought into the investment platform through his and Rich Kleinman’s Thirty Five Ventures when it was valued at $1.6 billion. The rapper Nas’ venture fund invested in the Series B round, when Coinbase was valued at around $143 million.

Durant is an active investor, particularly in tech companies. 

  • He was also an early-stage investor in Postmates, Acorns, Sandbox VR, and shared bike and scooter company Lime. 
  • Durant has also bought into a number of sports and fitness companies, including Dapper Labs, maker of NBA Top Shot, Goldin Auctions, drink company WTRMLN WTR, and athlete recovery tech company Therabody.

Serena Williams’ Serena Ventures appears to have also been an investor, but pulled Coinbase from its publicly listed portfolio companies after Coinbase’s CEO came out against employee political activism.

Coinbase reported last week that its Q1 revenue was up 847% year-over-year to around $1.8 billion, and that it has 56 million users.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

‘Ultimate Throwback’: The Unimpeachable Cool of Hartford Whalers Gear

Nostalgia and street cred have driven a consistent frenzy for merch.
January 20, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Kristin Juszczyk, wife of San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44), before a 2024 NFC divisional round game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium.

The New WAGs: Sports Wives Building Business Empires

Athletes’ wives and girlfriends are bucking stereotypes and cashing in.
Feb 3, 2019; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears mascot dances on the court during a stoppage in play in the second half against the Stanford Cardinal at Haas Pavilion.

The Toll of Bicoastal Travel on New ACC Members Cal and Stanford

Cal and Stanford face missed flights, chaotic sleep schedules, and academic demands.

It’s Starting to Pay to Be Good at Cornhole

American Cornhole League players made $7.7 million in 2024.

Featured Today

PWHL arena

PWHL’s Sophomore Year Booms in Canada, Has Room to Grow in U.S.

Attendance is up 30% from last year, the league says.
January 24, 2025

Once Abandoned, Portland Is Regaining Its Place in the WNBA

The next WNBA team is springing up in a once-deserted market.
October 17, 2011; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets fan fireman Ed during the first half against the Miami Dolphins at the New Meadowlands Stadium.
January 24, 2025

Superfandom Is a Lifestyle, Business—and Thorn in Some Teams’ Sides

Rabid fandom has perks—sometimes to the frustration of teams and leagues.
Jeremiah Smith
January 22, 2025

Ohio State’s Title Isn’t As Simple As $20 Million in NIL

Three lessons from the Buckeyes’ title beyond “pay the best players.”
Sep 29, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) dribbles the ball against New York Liberty forward Jonquel Jones (35) during game one of the 2024 WNBA Semi-finals at Barclays Center.

A’ja Wilson’s Star Continues to Rise With Release of Nike Shoe

Shoe deals have picked up alongside growing popularity of the WNBA.
Doncic and Davis
February 2, 2025

Mavs, Lakers Swap Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis in League-Shaking Deal

Other picks and players are on the move in the seismic deal.
Dec 8, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin (left) and Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) talk after playing at Acrisure Stadium.
February 3, 2025

Myles Garrett Seeks Trade Ahead of Massive Extension Coming

The Browns star asked for a trade Monday after a 3–14 season in Cleveland.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
January 31, 2025

NBA’s Bet on Victor Wembanyama Validated by Early All-Star Selection

Wembanyama is in his second season.
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) plays a ground ball off the bat of Pittsburgh Pirates second base Nick Yorke (38) in the second inning of the MLB National League Game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. The Pirates led 1-0 after four innings.
January 30, 2025

MLB Betting on Elly De La Cruz As a Future Face of..

The 23-year-old phenom is featured in two new marketing campaigns.
Jan 30, 2025; Washington D.C., USA; An Alexandria Fire Department crew departs the Metropolitan Police Department Harbor Patrol facility on its way to the site of the crash between an American Airlines passenger jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter above Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, VA., on Jan. 29, 2025..
January 30, 2025

U.S., Russian Figure Skaters Killed in Washington Plane Crash

The skaters were returning to Washington from a camp in Kansas.