Meta World Peace, formerly known as Ron Artest, on Friday shared insights into his unique journey from NBA champion to entrepreneur during a panel at a Global Investment Summit. Known for his fierce defense and championship run with the Los Angeles Lakers, Meta revealed the story behind his memorable name change and reflected on his basketball career and life after sports.
Meta explained that his name change originated from a personal journey of self-discovery. “I was going through a lot in my life and wanted to find myself,” he said. Inspired by Buddhism, he changed his name to Meta World Peace to reflect his new mindset. “It was a way for me to embrace peace, and I still proudly wore World Peace on the back of my jersey.”
He recalled his NBA career highlights, including winning a championship with the Lakers and being named Defensive Player of the Year. Meta also fondly spoke about playing alongside basketball legend Yao Ming during his time in China, praising Yao’s humility and dedication despite his superstar status.
Meta’s connection with China extends beyond basketball. After retiring from the NBA, he played a season in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) with the Sichuan Blue Whales and grew a strong fan base, earning the nickname “Friend of the Panda” in China. He also spoke about his active social media presence in China, expressing interest in regaining control of his Weibo account to reconnect with fans.
Transitioning to business, Meta mentioned the parallels between his athletic mindset and entrepreneurial drive. After retirement, he pursued further education in digital marketing and business analytics to better understand the corporate world. “I realized it would take me years to master business just like basketball,” he said.
Today, Meta runs a private equity and management services firm, focusing on building partnerships with athletes and institutions. He co-founded 37 Partners, a brand lab and digital marketing company based in Hong Kong, aimed at empowering athletes to own their brands rather than just being sponsored. His business partner Matthew shared that their goal is to localize content for Chinese audiences, tapping into China’s robust social commerce ecosystem to help athletes build financial independence and lasting brand value.
Discussing the China market, Meta described it as a hub of innovation and opportunity. He praised platforms like Little Red Book for their effective integration of content and commerce. “Chinese fans love the NBA, but athletes need to connect authentically,” he said.
When asked about challenges in doing business amid geopolitical complexities, Meta remained optimistic. “Life is a challenge, but I focus on the prize,” he said. With a company in Hong Kong and plans to expand into mainland China and the US, Meta views the future as full of opportunities rather than obstacles.
The panel concluded with Meta stressing the importance of execution, collaboration, and adaptability for young people and entrepreneurs. His journey from basketball courts to boardrooms reflects a relentless drive and passion that continues to define his legacy on and off the court.
