15 Athletes Who Have Unique Side Hustles

Is an ice sculpture business the most unique side hustle you've ever heard of or what?

Yes, LeBron James has an entertainment company, Serena Williams has a clothing line and Peyton Manning owns a bunch of Papa John's Pizza franchises. But today, we're talking about more creative, less typical side hustles—ventures that might surprise you.

Also, everyone knows Magic Johnson is a successful businessman, but we're going to stick with current athletes for this one. (Except you, Israel Idonije. That communion cup thing is way too creative to leave out.)

Here you go: 15 creative business ideas, courtesy of sports. 

Honorable Mention: Israel Idonije

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Former NFL defensive tackle Israel Idonije is recently out of the football game. However, as a man with not one, but two incredibly creative side hustles, he must be included on the list, at least as an honorable mention.

While still active in the NFL, Idonije started his own publishing company, Athlitacomics, and produced several comic books, according to Zach Schonbrun of the New York Times.

Also, in an even more creative venture, Idonije founded Blessed Communion, a business that sells communion supplies to churches (specifically, prefilled cups). Idonije told Black Christian News Network in 2014: "It's not about how many people I tackle each day. It's not about how many hundreds of millions cups we sell at the end of the day. It's about the platform."

Torii Hunter, Investment Firm

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Minnesota Twins outfielder Torii Hunter and financial adviser Ed Butowsky joined forces to launch the Clubhouse Investment Club in February. This is a unique idea because mostly athletes and celebrities make up the club, and a primary focus is to help ensure these folks make smart investments. (Think: athletes not going Broke.)

According to a statement from Butowsky's Chapwood Investments, members will invest in business-to-consumer startups and will also agree to promote their investments via social media. Neato.

Carmelo Anthony, Soccer Team

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Yes, Carmelo Anthony has had some fairly typical ventures—an investment firm, a record label—but now he has something a little more rare, particularly for an active athlete. He has become the owner of a sports team.

Anthony purchased Puerto Rico FC, which will begin play in the North American Soccer League in 2016. Apparently a closet soccer fan, he told Jeff Carlisle of ESPN FC, "My passion for soccer has always been there. I just always kept it to myself and among my circle."

Venus Williams, Interior Design Firm

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Venus Williams, like sister Serena, does have a clothing line. More interestingly, however, she also has her own interior design company. 

According to Hana R. Alberts of the New York Post, Williams started the firm V Starr Interiors in Florida in 2002.

Dwyane Wade, Tie Collection

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One of Dwyane Wade's fashion line boasts a little more originality than others simply by virtue of its content: ties.

According to Adrian Nunez of Esquire, Wade recently wrapped up design on his sixth collection for The Tie Bar in Chicago. He told Nunez, "You always try to find inspiration from different places. Some are personal; some are just where fashion is at the moment."

Brandon Marshall, 'Inside the NFL'

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Many athletes go into television or broadcasting after retirement, but New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall is ahead of that game. 

In 2014, Marshall began making weekly appearances on Inside the NFL on Showtime during the season. He had to make flights from Chicago to New York on his off day each week to make it happen.

According to Seth Walder of the Daily News, Marshall will be at it again in 2015, though his trade to the Jets will certainly make the appearances easier geographically.

Russell Westbrook, Creative Director

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Like the Williams sisters and several other notable athletes, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook also has a clothing line. 

However, his gig as campaign creative director for True Religion makes him a bit more unique. In February, Westbrook told Andrew D. Luecke of Esquire, "I think a lot of people have an outdated idea of what the brand is all about and I am excited to be working with them to help change people's minds. They are all about fearless style which is exactly who I am."

Brian Hartline, Convenience Stores

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Brian Hartline is a wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns. He also owns two convenience stores in Ohio.

According to Donna Gehrke-White of the Sun Sentinel, Hartline said, "I only invest if I really understand." Along those lines, he occasionally helps out at the stores in the offseason, even serving the customers. 

Vernon Davis, Art Gallery

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Many athletes engage in philanthropic efforts or even have their own foundations. San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis does both, and his passion for art led him to start the Vernon Davis Foundation for the Arts.

Davis' foundation is unique in that it is a parent of sorts to Gallery 85, an affiliated art gallery located in San Jose, California.

Maria Sharapova, Candy

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Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova slings candy on the side through her aptly named business, Sugarpova. 

Sharapova started considering business ventures at just 21 years of age when an injury caused her to question the longevity of her tennis career. Sugarpova launched a few years later in 2012. 

She told Tania Bryer of CNBC Meets: "I love to work, I love to do things, I love to learn. Candy wasn't something that I had ever thought I would get into. ... And the name Sugarpova came about in a meeting that my agent and I had. I thought it was fun and young and fresh."

Michael Vick, Hair Brushes

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According to TMZ Sports, Michael Vick bought 40 percent of the hairbrush company WaveMasterz in 2014, and things were apparently going well.

However, TMZ reported an update in May that indicated tensions between Vick and a business partner, Tony "Bachelor" Fortune, may be affecting business (or vice versa).

Jordy Nelson, Farming

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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson is one of the NFL's best at his position, and he's also got a unique side gig. 

According to Anna Katherine Clemmons of ESPN The Magazine, Nelson spends several weeks each offseason working on his family's Kansas farm—driving a combine, herding cattle.

But what's really on the side here, farming or football? Nelson told Clemmons, "I probably identify more as a farmer [than a football player]. Around here, I'm just the farm kid that they have always known."

A.J. Francis, Uber

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What if you got into your next Uber, and A.J. Francis, defensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins, was driving?

It could happen. If you live in Miami, be on the lookout for a 2014 Dodge Charger.

John Urschel, Mathematician

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Baltimore Ravens guard John Urschel has a master's degree in math from Penn State University and plans to eventually complete a doctorate, according to Childs Walker of the Baltimore Sun.

Walker described Urschel as a "math ambassador" and revealed he spends time in the offseason spreading the good mathematical word to Maryland's youth. Urschel also writes for The Players' Tribune under the title "Advanced Stats Columnist."

C.J. Watson, Voice-over Actor

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NBA guard C.J. Watson has a dream job, and surprisingly, it's not NBA guard. No, according to Dana Hunsinger Benbow of the Indianapolis Star, Watson wants to be a voice-over actor. He even has a demo tape in circulation.

Watson told Benbow, "My strategy is you only live once, so just try it and if you're not good at it then go to something else. So I just tried it and ended up liking it."

Watson hasn't landed any paying jobs yet, but he has worked with California-based voice-over coach Marc Graue. Stay tuned.  

Cullen Loeffler, Ice Sculptures

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NFL free agent Cullen Loeffler was a long snapper for the Minnesota Vikings until August, when the team released him. Perhaps prophetically, Loeffler told Dave Schwartz of KARE 11 in May, "NFL not only does it stand for National Football League. It also stands for not for long. So you always have to be planning for the future."

Loeffler started planning by partnering up with Robbie Harrell, co-owner of Minnesota Ice Sculptures, after the two met on an airplane. Loeffler told Schwartz he knew nothing about ice sculptures before meeting Harrell but that it "was a great opportunity for me to cut my teeth on my first business."