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Shaq has been in the news <a href="https://1851franchise.com/can-shaq-really-save-the-still-struggling-papa-john-s--2710673" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">a lot recently</a> for his <a href="https://1851franchise.com/papa-john-s-announces-its-newest-board-member-shaq-2709489" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">partnership with Papa John&rsquo;s</a>. Although he may be the most recent example, there is certainly <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/karstenstrauss/2019/08/15/these-8-sports-celebrities-also-played-the-franchise-game/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=these-star-athletes-are-slam-dunking-into-the-franchise-game-2710772#4e50766c59ab" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">a long history of star athletes and celebrities</a> playing&mdash;and winning&mdash;the franchise game, with franchisors eager to utilize star power to expand their brands.

This year, Floyd Mayweather launched his own fitness franchise, <a href="https://www.mayweather.fit/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=these-star-athletes-are-slam-dunking-into-the-franchise-game-2710772" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">Mayweather Boxing + Fitness</a>, capitalizing on the <a href="https://1851franchise.com/regymenfitness/the-top-three-reasons-why-the-fitness-segment-is-a-great-business-opportunity-2710527" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">booming fitness segment</a>. Although the boxing concept currently only operates one location in Los Angeles, the company <a href="https://www.franchising.com/news/20190717_mayweather_fitness_franchise_signs_over_100_locati.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=these-star-athletes-are-slam-dunking-into-the-franchise-game-2710772" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">announced last month</a> that it has over 100 locations in development nationwide.

A-Rod also decided to try his hand in the fitness segment, becoming a part-owner and board member of <a href="https://trufusionfranchise.com/new-york-yankees-legendary-alex-rodriguez-talks-hot-yoga-broke-athletes-j-lo-and-fear/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=these-star-athletes-are-slam-dunking-into-the-franchise-game-2710772" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">fitness gym TruFusion</a>.&nbsp;

Another basketball legend, Lebron James, invested in the rapidly growing, build-your-own pizza franchise Blaze Pizza in 2012. Since investing, James has become an all out ambassador for Blaze Pizza, particularly using his <a href="https://twitter.com/KingJames?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=these-star-athletes-are-slam-dunking-into-the-franchise-game-2710772" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">incredible social media</a> following to promote the chain. For example, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF5jXrZfuCA&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=these-star-athletes-are-slam-dunking-into-the-franchise-game-2710772" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">a video of James working behind the counter</a> went viral a few years ago, garnering over two million views. This strategy has proven to be successful, with the company <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/20149593/lebron-james-stake-blaze-pizza-chain-now-worth-least-35-million?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=these-star-athletes-are-slam-dunking-into-the-franchise-game-2710772" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">exploding in value and size</a> after James&rsquo; investment.

In all of these cases, the built-in name recognition of the cache of celebrity athletes has proven to be <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/papa-johns-ceo-here-comes-4-pizzas-and-one-new-shaquille-o-nealinspired-offering-230243252.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=these-star-athletes-are-slam-dunking-into-the-franchise-game-2710772" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">a huge advantage</a> in terms of drawing in customers. While most franchisors <a href="https://1851franchise.com/plugged-in-3-ways-brands-are-building-buzz-through-consumer-marketing-2710719" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">struggle to build brand buzz</a>, these heavy hitters and their reputations for success convince franchisees to invest and customers to patron.&nbsp;

Only time will tell which other brands shall get the chance to jump aboard the celebrity athlete train.

To read the full Forbes list, click <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/karstenstrauss/2019/08/15/these-8-sports-celebrities-also-played-the-franchise-game/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=these-star-athletes-are-slam-dunking-into-the-franchise-game-2710772#4e50766c59ab" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">here</a>.

These Star Athletes Are Slam Dunking Into the Franchise Game

1851 Franchise

Some of today’s most successful athletes are also winning in franchising, including Lebron James, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and A-Rod.


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