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United States Ryan Howard, known as "the Big Piece," transitioned from a record-breaking MLB first baseman to an active investor and sports tech advocate.
Ryan Howard is a Partner at SeventySix Capital and Chairman of its Athlete Venture Group, where he guides investment in sports tech startups and mentors aspiring franchisees. His personal story and experience bring value to entrepreneurs and brands alike, leveraging his insight into sports and business. This partnership allows him to extend his impact beyond the field by fostering innovation and growth in the sports technology sector and investing in direct opportunities such as Colbie's Southern Kissed Chicken. Howard's role involves championing the brand, mentoring, and opening doors for new growth and innovation.
Ryan Howard is a partner in Colbie's Southern Kissed Chicken, a franchising venture. He plays a key role in brand advocacy and mentoring franchisees. This partnership aligns his passion for sports with entrepreneurial endeavors in the food industry, working alongside celebrity chef Fabio Viviani to develop the menu. He was introduced to the Colby brothers by fellow Phillies player Chad Durbin. This highlights his transition from athlete to business owner, involved in operational and strategic aspects of brand growth.
Ryan is the Chairman of their Athlete Venture Group which allows players to invest, learn, and work directly with top sports tech startups and entrepreneurs.
Ryan Howard, through his involvement with SeventySix Capital, is associated with Diamond Kinetics, a startup that develops motion capture tools. These tools help baseball and softball players use data analytics to improve their swings and pitches. This partnership demonstrates Howard's interest in leveraging technology for athletic development and performance.
Ryan Howard has partnered with the Subway restaurant chain as a representative for their products. This aligns him with a globally recognized food brand, leveraging his public image for endorsements.
Ryan Howard has engaged in corporate partnerships with Adidas, a prominent sportswear brand. This collaboration involves endorsing Adidas products, connecting his athletic status with the brand's image in sports apparel and equipment.
Ryan Howard has maintained corporate partnerships with POWERade, a sports drink brand. This type of endorsement leverages his identity as a professional athlete to promote the beverage to sports enthusiasts and consumers.
Ryan Howard has participated in corporate partnerships with Sony PlayStation, a well-known gaming console brand. This collaboration links his celebrity status to the entertainment industry, potentially involving endorsements for video games or consoles.
Ryan Howard is a representative for Under Armour products, a leading athletic performance apparel and footwear company. This partnership highlights his association with high-performance sports gear.
Ryan Howard appeared on the cover of the video game MLB 08: The Show. This served as a promotional partnership, using his image to market the baseball simulation game.
In February 2019, Howard joined ESPN as an analyst for "Baseball Tonight." This role transitioned him into sports media, providing expert commentary and analysis for a major sports broadcasting network.
Ryan James Howard was born on November 19, 1979, in St. Louis, Missouri. His baseball journey began at Lafayette High School and continued at Missouri State University, where he left an impressive collegiate record with 50 home runs, 183 RBIs, and a .335 batting average. Drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 5th round of the 2001 MLB June Amateur Draft, Howard quickly rose through the minor league ranks. He captured consecutive awards in the Florida State League and Eastern League in 2003 and 2004, and notably set the single-season home run record for the Reading Phillies with 37 in just 102 games. By July 31, 2004, he was promoted to Triple-A. His talent garnered significant attention, leading general managers to pursue trades for him. His number 29 was retired by the Lakewood Blueclaws in 2010.
Howard made his Major League Baseball debut on September 1, 2004, with the Philadelphia Phillies. He was named the National League Rookie of the Year in 2005 and followed this with an MVP season in 2006. That year, he hit 58 home runs, tying Mike Schmidt’s Phillies single-season record before surpassing it. He holds the MLB record for being the fastest player to reach both 100 and 200 career home runs, achieving these milestones in 325 and 658 games, respectively. A three-time NL All-Star (2006, 2009, 2010), he also won the Silver Slugger Award and the Hank Aaron Award in 2006. In 2008, he played a crucial role in the Phillies winning the World Series, contributing 3 home runs in the series. He continued his stellar performance, earning the NLCS MVP Award in 2009. His career concluded with his last MLB appearance on October 2, 2016, with a brief stint in the minor leagues for the Atlanta Braves and Colorado Rockies before announcing his retirement on September 4, 2018.
Following his retirement from professional baseball, Howard transitioned into a successful second career in venture capital and sports technology. In May 2017, he joined SeventySix Capital as a Partner, taking on the role of Chairman for their Athlete Venture Group. In this capacity, he actively mentors aspiring entrepreneurs and facilitates investments in sports tech startups. His work at SeventySix Capital includes involvement with companies like Diamond Kinetics, which develops motion capture tools for baseball and softball players. He also joined the ownership team of Colbie’s Southern Kissed Chicken, a franchising venture. In February 2019, Howard joined ESPN as an analyst for *Baseball Tonight*, further solidifying his presence in the sports media landscape. In 2023, he was appointed to the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition.
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