NBA star James Harden is taking his business and investor expertise to Saks’ luxury platform.
The high-end e-commerce company has appointed the Brooklyn Nets player to its board to share his unique perspective as a fashion enthusiast in an effort to help expand its high-potential consumer brands.
“I am honored to join the Saks board and to be a part of a company that is paving the future of luxury retail. This is an exciting opportunity for me to combine two of my personal passions – a love of fashion and teaming up with brands that have the potential to lead while making an impact on the communities they serve,” Harden said in a statement. “I look forward to working with the Saks team, and to having a direct impact on the company’s future success, the fashion community and its customers.”
A press release reports that Harden’s appointment comes as the latest milestone for Saks’ strategy to become the premier luxury e-commerce platform in the fashion industry.
With a proven track record as a high-profile investor, the athlete’s new role will allow him to contribute his knowledge on consumer, sports and entertainment businesses.
“As we work to build this new board, James is an important and valuable addition. With experience in growing businesses and as someone who values self-expression through fashion, I am confident that he will bring a distinct point of view that will help us better deliver for our customers,” Saks’ Executive Chairman Richard Baker said in a statement. “His expertise, combined with that of our other board members, will enable Saks to further capitalize on the significant growth opportunity within luxury e-commerce.”
Harden’s expansive business portfolio includes a minority investment in Saks, minority ownership of Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo as well as the National Women’s Soccer League’s Houston Dash, according to a press release.
Additionally, he holds stakes in various other brands such as Therabody, BodyArmor, Art of Sport, Stance and Pura, in which he serves as its Creative Director. He’s also the founder of Thirteen — a Houston-based restaurant.
Other board members that will join Harden include Deven Parekh and Adam Berger of Insight Partners — a leading growth capital investor and a minority shareholder in Saks — and Franz-Ferdinand Buerstedde of Rhône Capital.
