Professional basketball player, turned long-haul truck driver and fast food tycoon, having amassed $100 million in earnings. Originally known as the 'Mailman' due to his impressive 14x All-Star career.
Crankin' It Up: Karl Malone's Post-NBA Journey
Known as "The Mailman," and the best player in Utah Jazz history, Karl Malone remains one of the most iconic figures the NBA has ever seen.
Two-time MVP, 14-time All-Star, 14-time All-NBA, and a two-time Finals contender, Malone's basketball prowess is undeniable.
He's in the exclusive club of players who've scored more points than Malone in NBA history, only surpassed by LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Teamed with John Stockton for 18 mind-boggling seasons, Malone ushered in the Jazz's most successful basketball era.
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After retirement, Malone started his second act in 1985 and continued playing through the 2004 season.
Although his basketball journey took him from Salt Lake City to L.A., Malone forged a new path in the world beyond the hardwood.
With a career earning of over $104 million, Malone showed that he could deliver off the court too.
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In both his Finals appearances with the Jazz, Malone and his team faced off against the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan, losing back-to-back seasons in 1997 and 1998.
During the 1997 finals, Scottie Pippen delivered a brutal one-liner to Malone at the free-throw line that still echoes today.
"I had my brother in town. My brother was a postman," Pippen later told ESPN. "So, Karl Malone is at the line. I was a pretty good friend with Karl actually, so I just walked by and said, 'The Mailman doesn't deliver on Sunday.' To this day, I think that is the greatest line in basketball."
Malone missed both free throws, and it's a moment that still stings even now.
Later in his career, Malone made it to the 2004 Finals as a member of the Lakers, but they fell to the Detroit Pistons in a sweep.
While Malone never managed to snag a ring, his prolific career is still among the greats in NBA history.
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After his basketball career, Malone, 61, embraced his roots as a Louisiana native. He owns a timber property and occasionally drives a big rig.
Malone has always been intrigued by the world of long-haul trucking, and this passion extended to his business ventures. He's invested in trucking companies, although specific details remain scant.
Apart from the world of trucking, Malone has also dabbled in the food industry. He owns several restaurants such as Teriyaki Grill, Eskamoe's Frozen Custard & More, and even an Arby's franchise or two.
Sources suggest that Malone's ventures in the hospitality business might be more extensive, but further research is required to confirm these assertions.
- Despite his successful basketball career with the Utah Jazz, Karl Malone ventured into new territories after retirement, engaging in businesses such as trucking and the food industry.
- Showing a striking interest in long-haul trucking, Malone has invested in trucking companies and occasionally drives a big rig, reflecting his Louisiana roots.
- Malone's business portfolio extends beyond trucking, as he also owns restaurants like Teriyaki Grill, Eskamoe's Frozen Custard & More, and even franchises of Arby's.
- Suggestions have been made about Malone's potential extensive ventures in the hospitality business, but further research is needed for confirmation.
- Malone's entrepreneurial spirit doesn't end with sports; his diverse business ventures reflect his ambition to make a mark in various industries.
- With a strong financial background of earning over $104 million during his basketball career, Malone demonstrates that success off the court is achievable for athletes venturing into small-business ownership and lifestyle entrepreneurship.
