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Famous Brands Owned by Athletes

Blake RobertsBy Blake Roberts Founder & Editor in Chief Updated: 11 August 2023
Blake Roberts Blake Roberts Founder & Editor in Chief

Blake Roberts is the founder of Betting.US and is currently heading the creative team as Editor in Chief. Born and raised in Morgantown, West Virginia, Blake is a great sports fan, with football and basketball being his favorite. He’s our trusted voice for all betting-related matters.

Serena Williams Playing Tennis Brands Owned by Athletes

For many sports stars, a career on the pitch, court, or track is only the beginning. Many of the most successful athletes end up using their fame and influence to create successful business ventures, and, thanks to the fact that they’re able to reach their fans easily, their brands are often highly successful. In today’s post, we’ll look at brands owned by athletes, and how they successfully transitioned into the business world.

Brands Owned by Sports Stars

As athletes move into the entrepreneurial world, they establish diverse and innovative brands. Serena Williams serves an ace with “S”, her own fashion line, while Cristiano Ronaldo scores big with his lifestyle brand, CR7. Maria Sharapova sweetens the deal with her confectionery brand, Sugarpova, and sets the pace with sunscreen Supergoop and wellness product Therabody. Indian cricket sensation Virat Kohli makes a sporty statement with Wrongn and One8. Tennis Star Venus Williams serves style with her clothing line EleVen.

Lukas Podolski kicks it on the street with his fashion line, Strassenkicker. Finally, football icon David Beckham cultivates his own fashion and grooming empire with House99 and Beckham Brand Holding. These are all the brands owned by athletes we’ll be covering today, so let’s get started!

Stars’ Athlete Brands: Serena Williams & S

Serena Williams, the woman who revolutionized women’s tennis, is also making her mark in the fashion industry with her own clothing line, “S”. Serena’s brand, like herself, is all about strength, confidence, and beauty. The line carries everything from casual wear to formal dresses, all designed with an understanding of what makes women feel powerful and comfortable.

Just as she displayed a unique style on the court, Serena’s fashion line exhibits a distinct blend of comfort and style. Her offerings cater to a wide variety of body types, sizes, and tastes, echoing her advocacy for inclusivity. She’s one of the most iconic – and well-known – athletes in US history, and we’ll showcase some of her biggest achievements below:

Achievement Year
Grand Slam titles won 23
Wimbledon champion 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016
Australian Open champion 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017
French Open champion 2002, 2013, 2015, 2016
US Open champion 1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014

Cristiano Ronaldo: CR7

Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the best-known soccer players in history, is renowned worldwide not only for his spectacular performances on the field but also for his style off the field. His brand CR7 – his initials and jersey number – showcases this perfectly.

The CR7 brand includes a range of products such as clothing, footwear, fragrances, and even hotels. Ronaldo’s brand is built around the same levels of energy and quality he displays on the soccer pitch, and his designs are modern, stylish, and high-quality.

Ronaldo’s commitment to physical fitness is reflected in his activewear line, which promises comfort and durability. His brand, like himself, is global, with a presence in many countries. When it comes to famous athletes with a brand, Ronaldo is definitely up there with the best.

Maria Sharapova: Supergoop, Sugarpova, Therabody

Maria Sharapova, one of the most successful female tennis players in history, has shown her abilities on and off the court. She launched Sugarpova, a premium candy line that has proved fairly popular – albeit not to the same levels of success we’ve seen from some of the sports stars with a brand we’re looking at on this page.

However, Sharapova is also a co-owner of Supergoop, a brand focused on promoting sun safety, which, again, has done pretty well. Her most recent venture, Therabody, is a wellness tech company, although it’s currently unclear how successful it’s doing.

Regardless, each of her brands reflects her commitment to quality, health, and innovation. Through these brands, she has effectively utilized her sports fame and status as a top sports star to grow her brands – and she frequently markets them to fans online, primarily through her social media channels.

Virat Kohli: Wrongn, One8

Indian cricket star Virat Kohli is one of the most famous cricket players in the world. With his exceptional technique, remarkable hand-eye coordination, and strong focus on fitness, he has consistently delivered outstanding performances across all formats. Kohli holds multiple records, including being the fastest player to reach 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, and 11,000 runs in One Day Internationals.

When it comes to brands owned by sports stars, he’s also done a pretty good job. He co-founded Wrongn, a youth-oriented lifestyle brand that fits in well with his vibrant, high-energy personality. Kohli also partnered with Puma to launch One8, a collection of sportswear and footwear.

Both brands reflect Kohli’s sporty, upbeat style and his commitment to fitness and performance. Kohli has often been praised by health advocates in India for his frequent posting on social media, showing fans his workout regimes and encouraging them to get into better shape, too.

Venus Williams: EleVen

Venus Williams, the second Williams sister to appear on this list about brands owned by sports stars, is another iconic figure in women’s tennis. Like her sister, she’s also extended her influence beyond sports to fashion with EleVen. Venus’ brand prides itself on being the “fashion-forward activewear” designed to help women express their individuality.

EleVen’s philosophy of inclusivity and promotion of a healthy, active lifestyle resonates with Venus’ personal values. With stylish designs and comfortable fabrics, Venus ensures her customers can feel confident and comfortable, whether they’re on a tennis court or in a yoga class.

While Venus chose to focus primarily on the US market, this star’s athlete brand products are slowly making their way into European markets, although it remains to be seen whether this will be a success or not.

Lukas Podolski: Strassenkicker

Former German footballer Lukas Podolski, known for his goalscoring prowess, is now aiming for success in the fashion world with his brand Strassenkicker. The brand, which translates to “Street Kicker”, offers a range of clothing and accessories that reflect Podolski’s love for street football.

Strassenkicker’s designs blend urban style with a sporty edge, representing Podolski’s journey from playing street football to becoming an international star. Outside of Germany, Strassenkicker isn’t the best-known brand, but domestically, it does pretty well, and his line can be found at sports shops throughout the country.

David Beckham: House99, Beckham Brand Holdings

David Beckham, perhaps the most famous soccer player to come from the UK – and one of the most iconic names in the sports world – has seen remarkable success off the pitch. He developed a beauty and grooming line, House99, a brand that aims to take men’s skincare and health to new levels.

The brand mirrors Beckham’s personal style and attention to grooming, offering a range of products that combine British barbershop culture and hair styling trends. However, that’s not the only brand Beckham operates; he also owns Beckham Brand Holdings, a company that oversees all his business ventures, including his partnerships with brands like Adidas and his co-ownership of Inter Miami CF.

While Beckham may not be playing anymore, soccer remains the world’s most popular sport – and if you like to have a bet, you may be wondering about sportsbooks with soccer betting markets. If so, make sure to check out our recommended US betting sites, all of which have been hand-picked by our team of online gambling experts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sports stars with a brand is nothing new; however, not all stars' athlete brands have managed the same levels of success as others, and the names we've covered on this page are those who've excelled in their business ventures. To wrap things up, we're going to be answering some FAQs below.

What inspired Serena Williams to start her own clothing line?

Serena Williams was inspired to launch her clothing line, "S", due to her love for fashion and her desire to promote inclusivity. She aimed to create a line that makes women feel confident and empowered, regardless of their body type or size. Just as she has worked hard to tear down stereotypes on the tennis court, her fashion line aims to do the same in the fashion industry, offering a range of styles that cater to all women.

What does Cristiano Ronaldo's brand, CR7, encompass?

Cristiano Ronaldo's brand CR7, named after his initials and jersey number, includes a wide variety of lifestyle products. These range from clothing and footwear, appealing to fashion-conscious fans, to fragrances that capture his distinctive style. Ronaldo even extends his brand into the hospitality industry, with CR7 hotels in select locations.

What kind of products does Maria Sharapova's brand offer?

Maria Sharapova's brands offer a range of products across different sectors. Her candy line, Sugarpova, provides premium sweets, while Supergoop, a skincare brand she co-owns, focuses on sun protection products, emphasizing the importance of skin health. Sharapova's latest venture, Therabody, offers wellness technology products that align with her commitment to health and well-being, reflecting her diverse interests and dedication to quality.

How do Virat Kohli's brands reflect his personality?

Virat Kohli's brands, Wrongn and One8, reflect his sporty, energetic personality and commitment to fitness. Wrongn, a lifestyle brand, embodies his vibrant style, while One8, a collaboration with Puma, focuses on sportswear and footwear, representing his dedication to sports and performance. Through his brands, Kohli effectively showcases his personal style and values, appealing to his vast fan base.

What makes David Beckham's brands unique?

David Beckham's brands are unique as they mirror his personal style and attention to grooming. His beauty and grooming line, House99, combines British barbershop culture and hair styling trends, providing high-quality products that reflect his commitment to style. Meanwhile, Beckham Brand Holdings oversees his various business ventures and partnerships, and can be best described as a holding company, of sorts.
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