Austin Ekeler knew he had everything to prove when he entered the NFL.
Undrafted out of Western Colorado in 2017, Ekeler faced a daunting task of not just making the team but also earning playing time for the Los Angeles Chargers. The running back ended up starring for the Chargers over the next seven seasons, leading the league in total touchdowns twice before signing as a free agent with Washington Commanders this offseason.
Ekeler, a former zero-star recruit from the small town of Eaton, Colo., has carried his blue-collar mindset from the gridiron into his business endeavors. The tech investor has turned his passion for community building into multiple venture deals, most notably with his fan engagement platform Eksperience. The revamped platform allows fans to support their favorite players and influencers through interactive engagement options.
Ekeler’s off-the-field business began in the real estate industry, with more than 100 units across Colorado and Missouri. In addition to real estate, he’s also been involved in gaming and streaming where he has connected with hundreds of fans on his Twitch stream, which has more than 35,000 followers. Despite his different business ventures, he encourages aspiring athlete investors to remain cautious and do their homework on the specific industries where they want to put their money.
On this week’s episode of Business Beyond the Game, Ekeler not only touched on the importance of diligence but also spoke about leveraging the ‘coolness factor’ as an NFL player and taking advantage of access to business leaders before retirement.
For more episodes of Business Beyond the Game, check out Sportico’s YouTube page.
(This story has been corrected in the second paragraph with the name of the Washington Commanders.)
