Bryant's $6M Bet on BodyArmor Yields Estimated $400M Windfall

Kobe Bryant's investment in sports-drink maker BodyArmor turned a $6 million bet into an estimated $400 million for his estate after Coca-Cola acquired the company in 2021 for $5.6 billion.

Bryant invested about 10% of the company, becoming its fourth-largest investor and sitting on the board. He was also involved in marketing efforts, writing and co-directing advertisements featuring athletes including James Harden and Mike Trout.

The deal marked a significant return for Bryant's investment, growing nearly 67 times its original value over eight years with a compound annual growth rate of 69%. BodyArmor was projected to hit $400 million in sales by 2018, making it a fast-growing brand in the crowded sports-drink market.