Retired NBA legend, Jeff Stibel launch $100 million venture capital fund

10:58 - 22 August 2016

Fans cheer after Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) hits a jump shot during the third quarter against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Bryant was playing in the final game of his NBA career. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Both Bryant and Stibel have already invested in about 15 companies since 2013 but they have only decided to make their partnership formal after Bryant retired from basketball.

NBA legend Kobe Bryant (argue in your backyard), has become a venture capitalist.

The retired NBA player will launch his venture capital fund, a sizeable $100 million vehicle for investing tech, media and data companies, on Monday.

Bryant, who will turn 38 on Tuesday, isn't going into the business alone: He is joining forces with 43-year old Jeff Stibel, a longtime entrepreneur and investor who Bryant met through a mutual friend.

Their venture capital firm will be called Bryant Stibel and it will be based in the Los Angeles area of the USA.

ALSO READ: Facebook founder pumps $24M into Andela in Series B funding

Some of their current investments include sports media website The Players Tribune, videogame designer Scopely, legal-services company LegalZoom, telemarketing software company RingDNA, and a home juicing company called Juicero.

Bryant and Stibel will be contributing the $100 million - which they should be investing over the next few years - and aren't seeking outside investors just yet.

Who woulda thought, right? Maybe Barack Obama will be next, if you know what I mean.