Rio Ferdinand was a top level international footballer for a very long time, both for his club Manchester United, as well as his national side England. However apart from being a mighty fine player, he also involved himself in a lot of business and social ventures, which kept him busy off the field too.
These ventures incorporate a wide range of areas, from music to restaurant businesses, from a fashion line to a film making business, and many more. Let us have a detailed look into his various businesses and social ventures, and the impact they have been making.
Rosso Restaurant in Manchester
Rosso Restaurant is a swanky Italian eatery at the top of King Street. It has become a favorite spot for celebrities who visit the city. The restaurant has played host to a range of stars, events and parties. Many of Manchester United’s celebrations in the past have taken place at the restaurant.
At the restaurant, Ferdinand has also shown a tendency to encourage young talent. The restaurant has an apprenticeship scheme to develop the next generation of young chefs.
White Chalk Music
In 2005, Rio Ferdinand started his White Chalk Music Label, and started a competition in Manchester to find new, unsigned talent to record with. The label signed two new stars then, Melody Johnson and Nia Jai, who went on to become household names.
Rio himself even appeared in Nia Jia’s 2010 album with a rap of his own. The financial accounts for White Chalk Music (dated April 30, 2012), showed a net worth of £600,000.
Magazine “#5” fivebyrioferdinand.com
Ferdinand also has online magazine no his own, which he named #5 after his squad number. The magazine had its first issue published in April 2009. Through the magazine he has interviewed many famous international celebrities, including Boris Becker and Snoop Dogg.
The magazine continues to attract widespread reader attention, and has seen many big names in sports as well as entertainment don its covers over the years. The latest edition of the magazine features Ice Cube, Riyad Mahrez and the Vaccines!
#5 Store
Rio Ferdinand also has his own fashion label that he launched with a range of shoes and accessories in Selfridges in 2010. He commented at the launch that fashion was a family tradition, as his dad was also a tailor by profession.
He has also urged fellas to “embrace their feminine side”, saying: “I really like manbags, I use them all the time they’re perfect for a busy lifestyle.”
The store sells all types of sports apparel and accessories, including shoes, socks, T-shirts, caps, etc.
Rio Ferdinand Foundation
The foundation provides education and employment pathways to youth and helps them in finding their career goals.
As per the Foundation website, it has three main objectives:
“To use role models to inspire young people and develop their skills and confidence through education, sports and the arts.
To work with a network of strategic partners to support young people, act as their mentors, and enable them to access employment opportunities and pathways relevant to their skills and talents.
To develop young people as peer role models in order to address important personal, social and economic issues, enabling them to build a brighter future for themselves and their communities."
Recently, it has entered in a partnership with British Telecom (BT). The two organizations will work together to provide mentoring and teaching skills to help young people from deprived communities.
The Rio Ferdinand Legacy outside of the game
The various businesses and projects that Ferdinand runs shows his all-round qualities and a deep desire to give something back to society and future generations. He has also shown that sportsmen can don multiple roles at the same time, and do justice to them all.
We hope many more sporting great follow in his footsteps, and endeavour to make a difference to our society.
