LOS ANGELES: NBA legend Kobe Bryant has expanded his business interests valued at approximately $300 million by investing in Art of Sport, a body care brand formed last year by German-American entrepreneur, Matthias Metternich and Brian Lee.
The brand aims to address the skin care needs of the modern athlete. As a result, it takes insights from an illustrious roster of athletes besides Bryant, who are also the faces of the brand such as Javier Báez (2016 World Series Champion and All-Star second baseman), Sage Erickson (Professional Surfer), James Harden (Houston Rockets’ Reigning NBA MVP), Ken Roczen (World champion Motocross and Supercross Racer), Ryan Sheckler (Skating legend and X-Games Gold Medallist) and Juju Smith-Schuster (Electrifying NFL Wide Receiver).
The debut product line includes deodorant, antiperspirant, hair + body wash, body bar, sunscreen and a soon-to-be released ultra-strength recovery cream.
“Everything from what athletes wear and consume to how they recover has continued to evolve,” Metternich, who is also the CEO of the company, said.
“We didn’t see anyone transferring that same level of innovation and consideration into what athletes apply on their skin. By working with the best scientists and best athletes, we’ve created body and skincare products that can keep up with the performance needs of athletes at all levels.”
Bryant is expected to advise all aspects of the business with a focus on brand-building and storytelling.
“An athlete, at any level, is always focused on how to improve,” the NBA legend said.
“With Art of Sport, the goal is simple – provide innovative body care products designed for sports performance. We brought together the best minds in skincare to develop products that allow athletes to stay focused on competition.”
The brand’s lead scientists, Dr. Shekhar Mitra and Dr. Laurence Dryer have helped to design new formulas that are engineered with powerful botanicals and performance ingredients and made without common chemicals found in body and skincare products that the skin doesn’t need such as parabens, oxybenzone, PABA, MIT/MCIT, talc and 1, 4 dioxane.
