Bloomberg Businessweek - USA (2020-01-27)

PHOTOGRAPH

BY

LAUREL

GOLIO

FOR

BLOOMBERG

BUSINESSWEEK

45

BloombergBusinessweek January 27, 2020

Fast Break With Chris Paul

How do you pick which business opportunities to

go for?

When I first came into the

league, you used to hear

about endorsements.

“Oh, this player’s

endorsing this and

endorsing that.” There’s

no such thing, really,

as endorsement deals.

There are partnerships—

things that I really believe

in and products that I use.

The Oklahoma City point guard fronts State Farm in commercials,

backs Beyond Meat as an investor, and more. —Jason Kelly

You’re president of the players union. What’s the biggest thing

you’ve learned?

The conversations I’ve had with

[NBA Commissioner] Adam

Silver, just constantly learning

and really understanding the

business of the game.

You’ve led the union since 2013. Any thoughts

about succession?

One of my huge mentors

is [Disney’s Bob] Iger,

and one of the first things

he said to me is that

succession planning is

real. So making sure that

the next in line knows

the conversations being

had now, and that they’re

involved.

How often do you say no? A lot?

Yes. It’s one of

those things

where—I am a

people person.

I love to engage

and talk. But you

have to learn to

say no. Or at least

have somebody

on your team that

can say no.

David Stern, the NBA’s former commissioner, just

passed. What’s his legacy?

Our game is a global game

because of David Stern.

You get into the NBA, and

you just expect that you

go to China. We’re not

where we’re at as a league

without him and his vision.

You’ve switched to a plant-based diet. What’s that like?

As an athlete, you’re always trying

to figure out different ways to get

an edge. Beyond Meat has been

amazing—it’s been life-changing

for me, in the way that my body

feels and I can bounce back.

Where do you think the NBA sees its next big overseas markets?

NBA Africa is continuing to grow. It’s mind-

blowing to me. When I was a kid, I was

thinking, How can I be the best player in my

neighborhood? Now you’re playing against kids

in New Zealand and Africa. It’s crazy when you

think about where the game is now.