Anthony Edwards, Kyler Murray and other athletes invest in Karma Automotive via new Karma Nexus programme
What's the deal? Luxury electric vehicle maker Karma Automotive has launched Karma Nexus, an invitation-only programme that gives select members access to its vehicles, design teams, and custom commissions — along with direct investment opportunities in the company. The inaugural group of investor-members includes NBA star Anthony Edwards, NFL quarterbacks Kyler MurrayDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → and Bryce Young, San Antonio Spurs rookie Dylan Harper, Boston Celtics guard Ron Harper Jr., and former NBA All-Star Tracy McGradyDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →.
The Irvine, California-based automaker describes itself as America's only full-line ultra-luxury vehicle manufacturer. Members get priority access to Karma's lineup, including models like the Karma Invictus and the upcoming Karma Eximius, plus direct engagement with its engineering and design teams.
"Having deployed more than $50 million into consumer companies, we view this as a first-of-its-kind structure that meaningfully aligns athletes through ownership and access to the product itself," said Kai Cunningham, co-founder and chief executive officer of Limited VenturesDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →. "This deal could become a blueprint for future partnerships across the industry."
Why now? Athlete investing has expanded significantly over the past decade, according to a 2025 Deloitte report, as players seek opportunities that outlast the short window of a professional sports career. Younger stars entering leagues with greater financial literacy resources are increasingly focused on ownership stakes and venture investing rather than traditional endorsement deals.
"I'm trying to be intentional about building something bigger than basketball off the court," Harper said. "I'm excited to start building long-term, generational wealth through investing in businesses I really believe in."
What could go wrong? The luxury EV market is competitive and capital-intensive. Karma faces well-funded rivals in a segment where brand loyalty is hard to build and margins are thin until scale arrives. Athlete-backed ventures also carry reputational risk on both sides — a downturn for the company or controversy involving an investor can quickly complicate the partnership.
Financial analysts note that equity participation offers greater upside than endorsement deals, but it also means real downside exposure if the business struggles.
The signal: Dealroom profiles for Edwards, Murray, and McGrady all classify them as angel investors, suggesting this is not a one-off brand deal but part of a broader pattern of athletes building personal investment portfolios. With Limited Ventures — an investment fund that says it has deployed more than $50 million into consumer companies — structuring the deal, the Nexus model could offer a repeatable template for other late-growth luxury and tech brands seeking capital paired with cultural credibility.
Read more: Essence
