DeAndre Jordan is one of a group of current and former NBA all-stars that is investing in the future of plant-based meat substitutes. News outlet Forbes has reported that Jordan joined other business tycoons who are giving support to Beyond Meat, a Los Angeles-based producer of plant-based meat substitutes founded in 2009 by Ethan Brown.
The New York Knicks centre, Boston Celtics point guard, Kyrie Irving, and Chris Paul, Houston Rockets point guard, have all put their money into the company. Beyond Meat's product line is said to be made as part of an eco-friendly mindset to help the planet through reducing livestock.
Neither party has disclosed the amount and terms of the investment in the company, however, Jordan claims that Beyond Meat's product range has been instrumental in helping him go plant-based this basketball season, without a loss of strength or endurance.
The company’s other backers include Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and Don Thompson, McDonald’s former CEO.
Beyond Meat is a popular company in the market with US$122 million raised so far, according to CrunchBase.