NFL: Vernon Davis (49ers) will become the first athlete on the stock market

San Francisco 49ers (NFL, National Football League, League of American Football League) player Vernon Davis will become the first athlete listed on the stock market, announced Fantex Holdings, which launched the sale of 421,000 shares in the player at $10 each (about €7.3) on 01/30/2014. Vernon Davis will receive $4m (€2.9m) from the sale of shares and Fantex keep the remaining $221,000 (€160,000).

Future shareholders will share 10% of the contracts with the club, the sponsors and TV channels if Vernon Davis, born 31/01/1984, continues his career as a consultant after his retirement. They may also sell their shares on a dedicated exchange platform with a 1% commission paid to Fantex for each transaction.

"This is real action. Once issued, they (the shares) will be listed on the secondary market where the price will be determined," said Buck French, the founder of the company, which states that stock prices evolve according to a player's career prospects. "Profitability depends on the ability of Vernon Davis to sign a new contract of at least $33m (€24m)," said the company.