A work and life balance seems to be the talk of the town these days. Part of what makes it easier to create this balance is having multiple streams of income. Here are five athletes with side hustles that create big streams of income.


Carmelo Anthony – Professional Soccer

Before the devastation that was Hurricane Maria in 2017, Carmelo Anthony, was the owner of a professional soccer club, Puerto Rico FC.

Anthony purchased Puerto Rico FC, which will begin play in the North American Soccer League in 2016. Apparently a closet soccer fan, he told Jeff Carlisle of ESPN FC, “My passion for soccer has always been there. I just always kept it to myself and among my circle.”

Venus Williams – Interior Design Firm

On top of being a tennis legend, Venus Williams, is the founder of interior design firm V Starr Interiors.

Her team has worked on projects large and small — including, a $18 million revamp of the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center in Washington, D.C in 2015.  

Dwayne Wade – Tie Collection

In 2015, Dwayne Wade doubled down on his passion for fashion and released his sixth tie collection.

“ I want to be the one that steps out to be bold. It wasn’t easy to do, because in the athletic world you’re talked about. “Why are you wearing pink?” But I was comfortable, because I had a bigger goal in mind. It’s cool to be one of the players in my era to step out and take that risk. Now you see fashion is so big around not only our league but also in other sports.” – Dwayne Wade, Esquire 

In 2015, Dwayne Wade doubled down on his passion for fashion and released his sixth tie collection.

Russell Westbrook – Creative Director/Designer 

Russ began his entry to fashion in 2015, as the creative director for True Religion Jeans. He sense has gone on to become a fashion symbol in the NBA, and creative director for his own apparel line with Jordan Brand 

Maria Sherapova – Candy 

Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova slings candy on the side through her aptly named business, Sugarpova. 

Sharapova started considering business ventures at just 21 years of age when an injury caused her to question the longevity of her tennis career. Sugarpova launched a few years later in 2012. 

She told Tania Bryer of CNBC Meets: “I love to work, I love to do things, I love to learn. Candy wasn’t something that I had ever thought I would get into. … And the name Sugarpova came about in a meeting that my agent and I had. I thought it was fun and young and fresh.”