When Chad Hurley co-founded YouTube, few could have imagined that his next major venture would involve helping transform the Golden State Warriors into one of the NBA’s most valuable franchises. Fourteen years ago, the Warriors were under new ownership, and Hurley was perfectly positioned to join Joe Lacob and Peter Guber’s mission to revive the team’s fortunes. Today, the Warriors are worth a staggering $8.28 billion, and Hurley, with his tech-driven insights, has quietly become one of the unsung heroes behind this incredible success.
Hurley’s journey from tech to NBA began with humble roots in Reading, Pennsylvania. After founding YouTube in 2005 with PayPal colleagues Jawed Karim and Steve Chen, Hurley made history when Google acquired the platform for $1.65 billion just a year later. His $334 million windfall provided the capital for his next big step. When he left his YouTube CEO role in 2010, Hurley’s interest in sports and media led him to the Warriors—a team ripe for reinvention.
Introduced to Guber through mutual interests and a talk at UCLA, Hurley forged a connection that would later bring him into the Warriors’ ownership circle. His relationship with Joe Lacob, fueled by a shared passion for Formula 1 and sports, further smoothed the partnership. Hurley joined the ownership team at a time when the $450 million purchase price was record-breaking for an NBA team. Reflecting on his decision, Hurley humbly said, “Joe was able to work his magic, and I just kind of jumped on board because of it.”
Since then, the Warriors have won four championships, becoming an NBA dynasty and a model franchise for merging sports with tech and media. Hurley’s presence has added a unique perspective, given his tech background and knack for innovation. His investment in the Warriors proved prescient, much like his YouTube venture. Today, Hurley’s net worth hovers around $800 million, while YouTube is valued at an astounding $455 billion.
Hurley’s journey from tech innovator to NBA co-owner is a testament to his vision, passion for sports, and sense of timing—a savvy move that’s paid off for him and contributed to the Warriors’ billion-dollar legacy. Thoughts?
