The global sports market revenue is estimated to reach $680 billion by 2028, and the current crop of young sports stars will make a mark in it based on their brand strength, market reach, and estimated worth.
Boardroom, a sports, media and entertainment brand co-founded by Kevin Durant, recently published a list of the eight most marketable athletes aged 25 and under. As the sports market revenue is expected to grow, Boardroom said these most marketable young stars will “have a chance to make more money than those before them and take their brands further than dial-up internet or paper currency ever could.”
Four athletes on the list, also known as Boardroom’s Enterprising Eight, are basketball stars. The following Black athletes are featured on the list:
Angel Reese
Accolades: WNBA All-Star, NCAA Champion, Final Four MOP, 3x All-American, SEC Player of the Year, McDonald’s All-American
Following: 3.8M on IG, 3.8M on TikTok, 567K on X
Money Moves: Reebok, Revolve, Havaianas, DC Power FC, Ulta Beauty, Pinky Extensionz, Amazon, Beats, FashionNova, Good American, Raising Canes, Coach, Discord, Outback Steakhouse, Sonic, TurboTax, Wingstop, Xfinity
After an amazing collegiate career at LSU, Angel Reese is now a WNBA player who was drafted into the league as the seventh overall pick, joining the Chicago Sky. Aside from playing basketball, Reese has always dreamt of owning a professional sports team, and today, she is living her dream.
Reese cashed in on her popularity off the court while at LSU. On her official website, she was selling merchandise in addition to signing lucrative deals with powerful brands.
In 2023, a report from SponsorUnited stated that the former LSU star had the most NIL deals of any college basketball player. At the time, she had signed 17 NIL deals totaling $392,000 per year with brands such as Calvin Klein, Bose, JanSport, McDonald’s, Xfinity, and Coach, among others.
The multiple deals she signed put her net worth at an estimated $1.3 million per year, CNBC reported, citing sports media platform On3.
Victor Wembanyama
Accolades: NBA Rookie of the Year, No. 1 Draft Pick, Team France Olympian, NBA All-Defensive First Team, French Player of the Year
Following: 4M on IG, 1.3M on TikTok, 350K on X
Money Moves: Nike, Louis Vuitton, HEB, 2K, Fanatics, Barcode, Topps
French superstar Wembanyama came into the NBA in 2023 with excitement not seen since LeBron James in 2003, according to TalkSport. The huge 7ft 4ins 20-year-old has been labeled an ‘alien’ due to his skill, athleticism, height, defensive prowess, shooting touch, and handling. Wemby, who is playing for France at the Olympics, smashed all kinds of records to win Rookie of the Year last season and has been in Louis Vuitton and Nike ads.
Coco Gauff
Accolades: No. 2 WTA Singles Ranking, No. 1 WTA Doubles Ranking, 7x Singles Titles, 9x Doubles Titles, US Flag Bearer, Team USA Olympian
Following: 1.7M on IG, 654K on TikTok, 367K on X
Money Moves: New Balance, Rolex, American Eagle, Bose, Head, Barilla, Baker Tilly, Naked Juice, Carol’s Daughter
Coco Gauff, reigning US Open champion and world No. 2 tennis player, was named Team USA’s female flag bearer for the Paris Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. She made her Olympic debut in Paris, having missed the Tokyo 2020 Games due to a positive Covid-19 test, according to CNN.
At 20, she became the first U.S. tennis player to serve as a Team USA flag bearer.
C.J. Stroud
Accolades: NFL Rookie of the Year, Pro Bowl selection, No. 2 Draft Pick, 2x Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year
Following: 1.1M on IG, 142K on X
Money Moves: BMW, C4 Energy, Fanatics, Cheetos, Lemon Perfect, Lowe’s, Verizon, Visa, Lockerverse, Ballogy, Texas Ranchers Pro Pickleball Team, HEB
Boardroom’s only NFL figure is Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud. The former Ohio State Buckeye was the second choice in the 2023 NFL Draft, but few expected his dominant first season. Stroud won NFL Rookie of the Year and Pro Bowl accolades while leading a struggling Houston team to the playoffs.
Kylian Mbappe
Accolades: PSG All-Time Goals Leader, French Player of the Year, Golden Boot, Silver Ball, FIFA World Cup Best Young Player, 2018 World Cup Champion
Following: 120M on IG, 14.3M on X
Money Moves: Nike, Oakley, FIFA, Hublot, Sorare, Accor, Loewe, Caen
French-Cameroonian star Kylian Mbappe recently made a move to Spanish giant Real Madrid. The oldest on Boardroom’s list at age 25, the Frenchman is the most accomplished, having already won a World Cup at just 19.
Anthony Edwards
Accolades: No. 1 Draft Pick, 2x NBA All-Star, Team USA Olympian, SEC Freshman of the Year, McDonald’s All-American
Following: 3.5M on IG, 545K on TikTok, 284K on X
Money Moves: Adidas, Bose, Sprite, Chipotle, Foot Locker, Netflix, NBA 2K, Alltroo, Aura
