Dwyane Wade: ‘I Grew Up Idolizing Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls’
Dwyane Wade just signed a two-year, $47.5 million deal with the Chicago Bulls after 12 seasons in Miami. The NBA superstar, married to actress Gabrielle Union, talked with Variety about his family (including three children), his production company, ZZ Prods., and his work beyond the world of basketball.
Congratulations on the Chicago Bulls deal.
My hometown is Chicago, and I grew up idolizing Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.
Do you and your wife talk about the entertainment industry? Does that make you more or less interested in pursuing work in showbiz?
I recently co-hosted “Live With Kelly,” and I had a blast doing it. I am very interested in television and I have my own production company [ZZ Prods.]. Last year, I was an ABC guest analyst during the NBA Finals and a guest correspondent on media day for NBA TV during All-Star Week. My wife and I will flip houses together on a new upcoming HGTV series.
If you had never picked up a basketball, what would you be doing now?
I would have to say acting.
You are now in the fashion world. Does that surprise you?
I enjoy the creative role I have with my fashion partnerships, including Stance, Naked, The Tie Bar, and Li-Ning. This feeds my love of fashion and passion for design.
Aside from your company and fashion partnerships, you have a family, basketball, and charity work. What takes up the most time?
I have my hands in a lot of different areas, but I am a father first, and spending quality time with my children is incredibly important to me.
How do you keep your energy up?
Working out gives me a lot of energy, and I pay close attention to how I fuel my body with the right foods.
What advice do you give your kids?
I tell my children to work hard and never give up on anything.
Do you get nervous before a game?
Not usually. If I do get nervous, it passes pretty quickly when I get myself in the right mindset.
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