I earned $44 million in the NBA then followed ex-teammate Shaquille O’Neal’s lead as pretzel mogul
Mark Blount had a successful NBA career. Most NBA players and professional athletes in general can’t say they played for nine seasons. Blount played in the NBA for nearly a decadeGetty Blount can. He was a second round pick in the 1997 draft by the Seattle SuperSonics, but went on to play for a variety of other teams, including the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Miami Heat. While in Miami, Blount was teammates with Shaquille O’Neal, where the two formed a working relationship that eventually spilled off the court. O’Neal seemed to have inspired Blount when it came to investing in other businesses. After Blount’s retirement, he put someone of his $44million that he earned in his career into purchasing a few Auntie Anne’s franchises. The popular pretzel chain can be found in just about every mall in America and Blount wanted a piece of the pie. Or in this case, a piece of the pretzel. “I was actively looking to break into the franchise industry, but I wanted to find a company that was a good fit for me,” Blount told QSR Magazine. “I really felt that the Auntie Anne’s brand provided what I was looking for.” Blount initially bought his stores for around $700k and was able to sell them off four years later for nearly $2m. Auntie Anne’s is one of the most popular food chains in AmericaGetty Blount has carved out a lucrative second career for himself off the court with his investments A savvy investment that paid off handsomely for Blount. “I was able to make connections with them and went through the process of learning their business and going through training and learning their sites,” Blount told Andscape on his experience being a franchise owner. “I ended up running it myself and was able to be pretty successful.” O’Neal also owned a few Auntie Anne’s at one point, but decided to sell them off for another reason. Back in 2021, he appeared on the Earn Your Leisure podcast and didn’t mince his words on why he got out of the pretzel business. “I sold my Auntie Anne’s because Black people don’t like pretzels that much,” O’Neal said. O’Neal is a very savvy and hands-on business man when it comes to different ventures and opportunities he invests inGetty “So I had to switch it up.” After Blount sold his Auntie Anne’s, he moved into real estate and purchased 14 properties in Florida, which he renovated and then sold for a profit. “The restaurant business was a learning curve for me, but real estate is a passion,” Blount said. While he was never a major star in the league, or a household name, he has done quite well for himself off the court. And while spending nearly a decade in the NBA is nothing to be sniffed at, what he’s accomplished off the court may just be even more impressive. How to watch NBA in the UK *If you click a link in this box we will earn affiliate revenue With the NBA hurtling towards playoff season next month, there’s plenty riding on the remaining games. Reigning champions the Boston Celtics are chasing back-to-back titles, and will be the first team to do this since 2018 if they’re successful. Meanwhile, LeBron James and Luka Dončić’s Lakers are looking to win LA’s first championship since 2020. To watch the rest of this NBA season, sign up for an NBA League pass using the links below. NBA League pass allows subscribers to watch games live and on demand. Buy NBA League Pass – £79.99 for the season, £16.99 a month Buy NBA League Pass Premium – £104.99 for the season, £29.99 a month For more information read our article on how to watch the NBA.
Mark Blount had a successful NBA career.
Most NBA players and professional athletes in general can’t say they played for nine seasons.
Blount can.
He was a second round pick in the 1997 draft by the Seattle SuperSonics, but went on to play for a variety of other teams, including the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Miami Heat.
While in Miami, Blount was teammates with Shaquille O’Neal, where the two formed a working relationship that eventually spilled off the court.
O’Neal seemed to have inspired Blount when it came to investing in other businesses.
After Blount’s retirement, he put someone of his $44million that he earned in his career into purchasing a few Auntie Anne’s franchises.
The popular pretzel chain can be found in just about every mall in America and Blount wanted a piece of the pie.
Or in this case, a piece of the pretzel.
“I was actively looking to break into the franchise industry, but I wanted to find a company that was a good fit for me,” Blount told QSR Magazine.
“I really felt that the Auntie Anne’s brand provided what I was looking for.”
Blount initially bought his stores for around $700k and was able to sell them off four years later for nearly $2m.
A savvy investment that paid off handsomely for Blount.
“I was able to make connections with them and went through the process of learning their business and going through training and learning their sites,” Blount told Andscape on his experience being a franchise owner.
“I ended up running it myself and was able to be pretty successful.”
O’Neal also owned a few Auntie Anne’s at one point, but decided to sell them off for another reason.
Back in 2021, he appeared on the Earn Your Leisure podcast and didn’t mince his words on why he got out of the pretzel business.
“I sold my Auntie Anne’s because Black people don’t like pretzels that much,” O’Neal said.
“So I had to switch it up.”
After Blount sold his Auntie Anne’s, he moved into real estate and purchased 14 properties in Florida, which he renovated and then sold for a profit.
“The restaurant business was a learning curve for me, but real estate is a passion,” Blount said.
While he was never a major star in the league, or a household name, he has done quite well for himself off the court.
And while spending nearly a decade in the NBA is nothing to be sniffed at, what he’s accomplished off the court may just be even more impressive.
How to watch NBA in the UK
*If you click a link in this box we will earn affiliate revenue
With the NBA hurtling towards playoff season next month, there’s plenty riding on the remaining games.
Reigning champions the Boston Celtics are chasing back-to-back titles, and will be the first team to do this since 2018 if they’re successful.
Meanwhile, LeBron James and Luka Dončić’s Lakers are looking to win LA’s first championship since 2020.
To watch the rest of this NBA season, sign up for an NBA League pass using the links below. NBA League pass allows subscribers to watch games live and on demand.
- Buy NBA League Pass – £79.99 for the season, £16.99 a month
- Buy NBA League Pass Premium – £104.99 for the season, £29.99 a month
For more information read our article on how to watch the NBA.
