NBA players past and present have "found an alternative way to connect" with fans via video-sharing platform Cameo, which "books and delivers personalized messages," according to Dan Woike of the L.A. TIMES. Cameo allows fans to "book their favorite athletes or celebrities, sending them an outline of the message they want recorded," and more than 40 NBAers are "available for bookings." With the NBA shut down, even more have "reached out to try to get more information about the service." The current roster includes Nets G Kyrie Irving, Lakers C JaVale McGee, free agent C Pau Gasol and Heat F Udonis Haslem. With retired players and those in the WNBA, G League and overseas, Cameo has "more than 400 basketball players on its roster." The talent "sets their own fee and keeps 75%," with Cameo getting the other 25%. Celtics C Enes Kanter, who charges $50 a video, is "one of Cameo’s most prolific basketball players -- recording more than 500 messages for fans." According to Cameo, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the "most popular former player." He charges $500 per video, and Cameo co-Founder & CEO Steven Galanis said that Abdul-Jabbar "fulfills between 15 and 20 per week" (L.A. TIMES, 4/6).
