Gerard Piqué is one of those rare athletes who didn't just shine on the football field but also made smart moves off it. Born in Barcelona in 1987, Piqué grew up in a family with strong ties to business and sports. His grandfather was a director at FC Barcelona, his dad a lawyer, and his mom a hospital director.
He started his professional career at Manchester United, then returned to Barcelona where he became a legend, winning multiple Champions Leagues, La Liga titles, and even the World Cup with Spain in 2010. But what sets Piqué apart is how he turned his fame and earnings into a thriving business world, all while still playing at the top level.
Starting
Small: Piqué's Early Business Steps
Piqué didn't wait until retirement to think about life after football. He began dipping his toes into business early on. Back in 2009, while he was establishing himself as a key defender for Barcelona, he founded Kerad Holding. This is basically a real estate company that buys, holds, and manages properties and investments. It's not flashy, but it's smart – real estate is a solid way to grow money over time without much daily hassle. Piqué owns several high-end properties in Barcelona, including a big mansion worth around 5 million euros, and other spots in Catalonia. These aren't just homes; they're assets that can increase in value or bring in rental income.
By starting with something familiar like property, he built a foundation that supported his later, bigger ventures. Around the same time, Piqué got into the gaming world. In 2013, he co-founded Kerad Games, a company that developed mobile games. Their big hit was Golden Manager, a football management simulation game similar to those popular strategy apps where you build teams and compete. It was a natural fit for a footballer, using his knowledge of the sport to create something fun and profitable. Though the company isn't his main focus now, it showed his interest in tech and entertainment early on.
He also launched Kypers Sunglasses in 2021. This brand offers stylish shades for everyday wear, sports, and trends. Piqué even models them on his social media, turning his personal style into a business. It's a smaller venture, but it highlights how athletes can use their image to create products that fans love. Plus, he ventured into food with organic hamburgers – think healthy, grass-fed burgers through a brand or restaurant tie-in. These side projects kept his entrepreneurial spirit alive without pulling him away from training and matches too much.
The
Big Leap: Founding Kosmos and Revolutionizing Sports
The real game-changer came in 2017 when Piqué founded Kosmos Holding in Barcelona. He teamed up with Hiroshi Mikitani, the CEO of Japanese tech giant Rakuten, to create this sports and media investment group. The mission? To blend technology, media, and sports to create new experiences that shake up the industry. Kosmos isn't just about making money; it's about innovating and challenging old ways of doing things in entertainment.
One of their first big moves was revamping the Davis Cup in tennis. Kosmos partnered with the International Tennis Federation to turn it into a more exciting, modern event with a World Cup-style format. This deal was huge – reportedly worth billions over time – and put Piqué on the map as a serious business player. Even though there were some bumps, like debates over changes to the traditional setup, it showed his vision for making sports more appealing to younger fans.
Then came the Kings League, launched in 2022. This is a 7-a-side football league with a twist: teams are run by popular streamers and influencers, games have wild rules like mystery cards or unlimited subs, and it's all streamed online for free. It exploded in popularity, drawing millions of viewers. Kosmos expanded it to Queens League for women, Kings League Americas in Mexico, and even events like the Kings & Queens Cup finals in big stadiums. One event in Madrid's Cívitas Metropolitano had over 70,000 fans in the stands and broke streaming records.
Piqué serves as CEO and president, using his football smarts to make it work.Kosmos also dives into esports. In 2021, Piqué and streamer Ibai Llanos created KOI, an esports team that competes in games like League of Legends, Valorant, and Teamfight Tactics. They even merged with bigger groups for more reach. Before that, Piqué started eFootball.Pro, a competitive gaming league focused on football Sims. These moves tap into the booming esports market, where young audiences spend hours watching pros play video games.
Other Kosmos projects include the Balloon World Cup – a fun, quirky competition – and investments in startups like Sorare, a fantasy football platform using NFTs for digital player cards. Sorare lets fans collect and trade virtual teams, blending sports with blockchain tech. Piqué has poured money into other companies too, like Goals (an entertainment software firm), Wonder, and FanBasis.
Kosmos Studios handles content creation, producing shows and media tied to these ventures. In 2018, Kosmos bought FC Andorra, a small club that Piqué now owns 99% of. Under his leadership, they've climbed to the Spanish second division, sitting in ninth place at one point. It's not just an investment; it's a way for him to stay connected to football while building a brand.
Balancing Football and Business: How Piqué Made It WorkPlaying for Barcelona is no easy job – grueling training, travel, and high-pressure games. Yet Piqué managed to run these businesses on the side. How? He surrounded himself with good partners, like Mikitani for funding and expertise, and Llanos for esports appeal. He also used his network from football to open doors. For example, he lectured at Harvard about the Kings League, sharing ideas with business students.
Piqué was smart about timing. He started small with real estate and games, then scaled up as his career stabilized. He didn't let business distract from football; instead, it fueled his passion. Even after retiring in 2022, his empire keeps growing, with a net worth estimated between $80 million and $300 million, thanks to these ventures plus endorsements from brands like Nike.
Lessons
for Athletes: How to Invest Your Money Wisely
Piqué's story isn't just inspiring; it's a blueprint for other sports pros. Many athletes earn big during their prime but struggle later because they don't plan ahead. Statistics show that a lot of pros go broke within years of retiring due to bad investments or overspending. But you can avoid that by following smart strategies, using Piqué as an example.
First, build a strong financial base. Start with an emergency fund – aim to save 12 to 24 months of living expenses in a safe, high-yield account. Sports careers are unpredictable with injuries or trades, so this cushion is key. Piqué did this through his early real estate moves, which provided steady value.
Second, hire the right team. Don't go it alone. Get a financial advisor experienced with athletes, a lawyer, and an accountant. They can help with taxes, contracts, and spotting scams. Piqué partnered with pros like Mikitani to grow Kosmos. Look for advisors who understand your short earning window – pros often make most money in their 20s and 30s.
Third, diversify your investments. Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Mix stocks, bonds, real estate, and maybe startups. Piqué spread his bets across real estate, tech, esports, and media. A good rule is the "3-bucket" strategy: one for safety (cash and bonds), one for growth (stocks and real estate), and one for high-risk dreams (like startups or your own business). This way, if one area dips, others hold up.
Fourth, invest in yourself and your brand. Keep fit, learn new skills, and build your personal image. Piqué used his fame for endorsements and products like sunglasses. Take courses on business or finance – Piqué spoke at Harvard, showing lifelong learning pays off. Also, pay down debts first, like loans or credit cards, before big splurges.
Fifth, think long-term. Set goals like retirement funds or family security. Consider low-risk options like municipal bonds or blue-chip stocks for steady income post-career. Piqué's Kosmos focuses on future trends like streaming and esports, ensuring income beyond football. Avoid flashy traps like luxury cars that lose value fast – invest in assets that grow.
Sixth, give back and stay grounded. Piqué supports charities and uses his platform for good. This builds your brand and can lead to more opportunities. Remember, financial literacy is crucial – understand basics like compound interest and risk before diving in.
Finally, start early. Piqué began in his 20s, giving his investments time to compound. Even if you're just drafted, set up a budget and save a chunk of each paycheck. Tools like apps for tracking expenses can help.
Possible, A Winning Strategy On and Off the Field?
Gerard Piqué proves that athletes can be more than just players – they can be innovators and empire-builders. From humble real estate starts to global ventures like Kosmos and the Kings League, he balanced a stellar career with smart business plays. For other sportsmen, the key is planning, diversifying, and learning from examples like his. Invest wisely, and your money can work for you long after the final whistle.
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athletes can best secure their future.
