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Few players matched Baron Davishis electrifying, explosive energy at its peak. The two-time NBA All-Star wowed fans with his towering dunks and crafty ball handling. Since his retirement in 2012, Davis has become Mr. IMBD page with actor and producer credits. Now, he is channeling that passion and competitive spirit into building a new legacy through his company In-Game Business (BIG).
Launched in 2017, BIG is a members-only platform that provides its community with networking and thought leadership events, investment opportunities and valuable personal connections.
“Many entrepreneurs work alone,” says Davis. “BIG is a network where entrepreneurs can connect with people who have been in their shoes – investors, C-suite executives and industry talent.”
The idea started from Davis' locker room conversations with his NBA teammates. “I realized that guys are just as competitive in other areas of their lives as they are on the court,” Davis recalled. “Whether it's art, technology or something else, their passion was inspiring.” Motivated by their stories, Davis had an epiphany: “What if there was a platform where we could share ideas, we could share the flow of our deals, and then we could see other people's deals and provide insights. “
Davis leans heavily on his NBA experience to shape his vision for BIG. “In sports, you have specialized coaches — strength, shooting, diet and more,” he says. “I want to apply the same approach.”
In other words, it's about more than just getting the most people in the room—it's about bringing the right people together. This means curating a network of entrepreneurs, investors and thought leaders tailored to meet each other's unique needs. “You want to walk in knowing you're surrounded by like-minded individuals,” Davis says. “When I attend conferences, people are often there to see me. But I'm there to meet others, and those connections don't always happen.”
Contrary to popular belief, most athletes do not get to sail off into the sunset with a boatload of money when they stop playing. Short career gaps often force them to move on to new careers after they have “retired”. While investing has become a standard way for ex-players to maintain financial security, it can also be a slippery slope. “We're seen as easy targets,” Davis says. “People assume that we (athletes) don't know our worth outside of sports, especially in industries like technology.” His solution? Start learning them.
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This idea appeared in the form of an application, which will be launched in 2025. The goal is to “operationalize” the audience, using an algorithm to share verified business opportunities with BIG members and fill the “supply” with relevant content, seminars. , and more. He sees the BIG app as a way to enhance the event experience, allowing attendees to Facetime with the people they came to meet. Davis hopes the community he's building will grow enough to serve as a resource for businesses and entrepreneurs. “When it's time for innovation, or you're looking to learn something new about who you are, your business and your leadership, BIG is here for you,” says Davis.
After years of studying the evolving sports landscape, Davis and his team are convinced the moment to launch is now. “Now more than ever, brands have an opportunity to be a voice and an outlet for creators,” says Davis. The next step is to figure out how to take advantage of this opportunity. For Davis, it comes down to answering two key questions: Where is your audience and who are they? And how are you building the right community around your brand?
When navigating our increasingly virtual world, especially in industries like sports, Davis thinks direct-to-consumer and direct-to-fan models are becoming increasingly important. In his eyes, it's all about giving fans access by allowing creators to control their own content and updates. “Platforms like YouTube, Instagram and TikTok are great for showing off your personality and engaging with fans,” says Davis. But his main concern is what happens next. “What's an ad these days when everyone has one?” wonders the former point guard. “Where do you bring that audience back and how do you continue to meaningfully engage them?”
Davis has always been a playmaker, averaging seven assists per game during his NBA career. While he's no longer hitting the road, Davis still excels at creating opportunities for “teammates,” connecting entrepreneurs with investors, and guiding athletes through their post-career transitions. Going into year 9, Davis and BIG will be waiting for them the first summit on October 19where they plan to start beta testing their app. “We feel like we've built something bigger than just technology,” Davis says. “We created a tool to bring people together.”