How do professional athletes decide whether to invest in a deal?
Short answer: Professional athletes in this panel said they assess deals through trusted people, concise pitches, and review by their accountants and attorneys. Brad said he needs to understand an opportunity before investing and may schedule a follow-up conversation. Stephanie said a pitch should establish the presenter's trustworthiness and industry knowledge, then fit the athlete's risk tolerance and family goals.
At a Family Office Club panel on how professional athletes invest, a moderator asks athletes and family members about evaluating opportunities and building wealth.
Brad on trusted people
Brad said athletes know their sport, so surrounding themselves with people who know more can help them assess opportunities. He said there are opportunities to scale quickly, and athletes should avoid being too conservative. (at 0:03)
Brad on concise pitches
Brad said a one pager and a topline explanation work better than a full A through Z pitch. He said to learn who you're speaking with and build a relationship before asking for a check. (at 0:57)
Brad on team review
Brad said he gives information to his accountants and attorneys to vet, and he won't invest in something he doesn't understand. He said due diligence and time to process the offer matter, and suggested setting up a 30 minute follow-up conversation. (at 1:53)
Stephanie on trust and fit
Stephanie said presenters should show their trustworthiness and industry knowledge instead of assuming athletes will invest based on a pitch alone. She said to learn an athlete's risk tolerance and family goals, then explain how the opportunity fits. (at 5:07)
"Present your trustworthiness to us. present your knowledge of your industry"
From Richard's exclusive Billionaires.com interviews
Lessons from Richard C. Wilson's one-on-one interviews, as published on each interview page.
- Michael Lee-Chin: Invest in what people will do next. He saw that his generation would shift from consuming to saving and investing. He chose wealth management companies over banks and insurers to avoid underwriting losses.
- Tom Rosen: Buy when the market is down. Tom bought a lot when the stock market almost collapsed and made a substantial profit. In the year that followed, oil and gas surged. So did some tech.
- Tim Draper: Teach children about money early. Give them a small allowance and have them earn and invest money in the stock market. Over time they learn to ask sharp questions about how a business works.
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Frequently asked questions
How do professional athletes decide whether to invest in a deal?
Professional athletes in this panel said they assess deals through trusted people, concise pitches, and review by their accountants and attorneys. Brad said he needs to understand an opportunity before investing and may schedule a follow-up conversation. Stephanie said a pitch should establish the presenter's trustworthiness and industry knowledge, then fit the athlete's risk tolerance and family goals.
What kind of deal did Charles suggest?
Charles said a brand ambassador role can help bring an athlete into a deal without requiring the athlete to pay out of pocket.
What skills from sports did a panelist say carry into business?
A panelist said pursuing goals intensely, attention to detail, and resilience to adversity can carry over from professional athletics to business.
Sources
Quotes are copied from the video captions and checked against the transcript. Timestamps link to the moment in the video. General information only, not legal, tax or investment advice.