Dwyane Wade is a retired NBA player who, at the peak of his career, won three NBA championships. Growing up, Wade started doing drugs, and to avoid gang life and drugs, he took to basketball throughout his high school years at Harold L. Richards High School in Oak Law.
He continued to Marquette University, where he led the team to their first Final Four appearance in 25 years. The Miami Heat drafted him in 2003, and he decided to leave Marquette during his senior year after they made an exception for him, as universities typically require a student to complete graduation before retiring a jersey.
It was at the Miami Heat that Wade won three NBA championships, first in 2006 and then in 2012 and 2013, respectively. Wade announced his retirement after the 2018–2019 season.
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Wade earned $200 million in salary alone during his 16-year career in the NBA, according to reports. Forbes recently said he makes $17 million annually in endorsements.
While playing in the NBA, Wade was not oblivious to his retirement plans. Following in the footsteps of former NBA players who became entrepreneurs like Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal, among others, he ventured into entrepreneurship and pursued other business moves.
Since retiring from the NBA, he has established several companies. Of significance is his investment in the Utah Jazz. He claims that ex-NBA stars like O’Neal, Jordan, and Grant Hill, among others, influenced him to own an NBA team.
In addition to his investment in the Utah Jazz, he is considering launching his own nail polish line, inspired by his daughter and his love for creativity. The ex-NBA player has a passion for painting nails, describing it as a form of self-expression.
“I’m creative, I’m expressive, and there’s so many ways to do that,” Wade said on CBS Mornings as he admitted he has been considering launching a nail polish line. “I actually thinking about jumping into the nail line… Yeah, I’ve been thinking about it. Like I’ve been in it so long. And I’m like, You know what, it could be a good time, but I got some cool ideas and I’m exploring. I’ve been having some conversations on my own about exploring,” Wade said, according to Vibe.
Wade stressed the joy he experiences when painting nails with his 6-year-old daughter, Kaavia. For him, it is a bonding opportunity. “That’s the time that we get to connect. Me doing something that she loves and also that I love.”
Since the announcement of the launch of his polishing line, it has received mixed reactions on social media, with some users mocking him and making homophobic remarks.
“Come on out the closet baby, it’s 2024 and it’s ok to be gay,” one account wrote on TikTok, as reported by Vibe. “We need more Black doctors, not a nail polish line,” another typed.
But others threw their weight behind his idea. “So much insecurity here I hate to see it. I hope he goes through with [making a nail polish business]. Plus bonus content seeing him with his daughter melts my heart,” one social media user wrote.
