Andre Igoudala wants more NBA players to get involved with the tech world.
Igoudala, the Golden State Warriors forward and 2015 NBA Finals MVP, is helping launch a new Technology Summit hosted by the NBA Players’ Association (NBPA) later this month.
The event will give both current and former NBA players a chance to interact with executives from top media and tech companies while identifying potential opportunities that they can pursue. Venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, wearable giant Jawbone, and SV Angel are some of the participating organizations.
Igoudala, who sits on the NBPA executive committee, has been active with his off-the-court tech-related work, appearing at events like TechCrunch Disrupt and making friends with Silicon Valley veterans like Ben Horowitz. Now he wants more players to do the same.
“Following the media and tech companies over the last ten years, I have learned a great deal about business development, new opportunities and the increasing growth and importance in the media and tech space,” Iguodala said in a statement. “The close relationships and experiences I have developed with many of the CEO’s have allowed me to strengthen my knowledge about tech and digital media, and apply many of the same principles to my game, like team building and leadership.”
Fast Company first reported on the new event.
“A key part of our mission at the NBPA is to help players maximize their opportunities on and off the court, and prepare for life after basketball,” Roger Mason, Jr., Deputy Executive Director of the NBPA, added in a statement. “Emerging technology, such as wearables and new media content platforms, directly impact our players every day, so we felt the time was right to provide a stage for them to gather, share ideas, get more educated and interact with some of the leaders in these growing fields.”
Igoudala is among a crop of current and former athletes both making investments and working directly in the tech world. For example, former NBA commissioner David Stern and NBA star Carmelo Anthony are investors in eSports startup AlphaDraft, while former NFL linebacker Patrick Willis just started a new job at a Silicon Valley tech startup. Others like Denver Broncos lineman Russell Okung are speaking at startup events and launching their own tech-related organizations.
To learn more about the intersection of sports and technology, be sure to attend GeekWire’s inaugural Sports Tech Summit on July 12-13. LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, MLS Commissioner Don Garber, Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin, and many more will be speaking. Limited tickets are still available, so get your tickets today.
