OKLAHOMA CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 26, 2024--
Russell Westbrook, NBA MVP, Entrepreneur, fashion icon, and global ambassador has joined forces with Christian Kanady, Founding Partner of Echo, a multi-strategy investment firm, on an eight-figure investment platform to energize Oklahoma City’s sports and entertainment industries. Through Russell Westbrook Enterprises (RWE)’s anchor investment in Echo’s Sports & Entertainment platform, Westbrook and Kanady will focus on opportunities that are authentic and purpose-driven.
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Westbrook’s “Profit with a Purpose” and Echo’s “Connective Capital” investment philosophies underscore a shared commitment to financial returns alongside lasting, sustainable community impact. RWE’s partnership with Echo’s Sports & Entertainment platform includes:
Russell Westbrook Enterprises (RWE) is a dynamic organization committed to aligning profitability with purpose by creating impactful platforms and making strategic investments with a focus on digital advertising and beyond. RWE’s mission centers on driving on-balance sheet investments in supply chain diversity to address the often-overlooked issue of concentration risk. As a trusted partner to some of the world’s leading multinational corporations, RWE is uniquely positioned to help companies achieve their supply chain objectives, enhancing operational efficiency and fostering greater inclusivity.
Echo is a multi-strategy investment firm committed to revitalizing American industries. Echo strategically blends investments across energy, life sciences, national security, and sports & entertainment. Recently, the firm liquidated approximately half of its oil and gas royalty portfolio for more than half a billion dollars. Additional holdings include landmark commercial real estate properties, film production soundstages, and majority ownership of OKC’s professional men’s soccer club set to begin play in the United Soccer League (USL) in 2027. Echo is dedicated to fostering innovation and driving exceptional financial and social returns.
Russell Westbrook, CEO of RWE said: "My time with the OKC Thunder shaped so much of who I am, so becoming Christian’s partner and investing in the city’s continued growth is not only exciting personally, but Echo’s Sports and Entertainment vertical is unlike anything else I’ve seen in the space. The opportunity to collaborate on a shared vision—combining the long-term, purpose-driven work I’m developing at RWE with what Christian is building at Echo and Connective Capital—is something I’m incredibly proud to bring to my entire platform."
Christian Kanady, Founding Partner of Echo said: "Having Russ and his brand involved with Echo in OKC is truly a game-changer. Russell Westbrook is not only a future Hall of Famer, but also a global icon—dominating the court, walking the runways in Paris, and making a meaningful impact through his Why Not? Foundation. We have a strong conviction in a differentiated investment opportunity in sports, and I’m excited to continue building something extraordinary with Russ, Donnell, and the entire Westbrook team."
Donnell Beverly Jr, President of RWE said: "Echo's experience of deploying institutional capital across multiple industry sectors for more than a decade, while promoting thoughtful community development, jobs and education, is the most unique platform we’ve seen that also encompasses RWE’s ‘Profit with a Purpose’ remit. When we discovered that Christian was leading a fresh, innovative approach to investing in sports with soccer and entertainment with soundstages, our response was an immediate and enthusiastic 'yes.'"
About Russell Westbrook Enterprises
Russell Westbrook Enterprises (RWE) is an impact focus organization that bridges Russell Westbrook's influence in sports, culture, and business with strategic economic development. RWE leverages its multifaceted platforms to align profitability with purpose, focusing on delivering innovative solutions in digital media, consumer goods, and technology. By investing in scalable initiatives that drive growth in underrepresented communities, RWE offers products, services, and resources that create employment opportunities and amplify brand impact. Through a combination of capital infusion, strategic partnerships, and community-centric initiatives, RWE serves as a catalyst for both social change and business success, helping some of the world’s leading brands achieve their goals while fostering deeper connections with multicultural audiences.
About Echo
Founded by Christian Kanady in 2010 and headquartered in the iconic Ziggurat building overlooking Kerr Park in downtown Oklahoma City, Echo is a multi-strategy investment firm committed to revitalizing American industries. Echo strategically blends investments across energy, life sciences, national security, and media & entertainment, with notable investments in local enterprises such as Wheeler Bio. The firm’s holdings include landmark commercial properties, a significant oil and gas royalty portfolio, and majority ownership in OKC’s professional soccer club. Echo is dedicated to fostering innovation and driving exceptional financial and social returns.
Christian Kanady is the Founding Partner of Echo, a multi-strategy investment firm based in Oklahoma City. (Photo: Business Wire)
Russell Westbrook, NBA MVP, Entrepreneur, fashion icon, and global ambassador has joined forces with Echo on an eight-figure investment platform to energize Oklahoma City’s sports and entertainment industries. (Photo: Business Wire)
