Boxing legend Mike Tyson seems to have entered the education space. TMZ reports that Tyson has partnered with former MMA fighter Daniel Puder to promote and open The Transformational Technologies Academy in Phoenix, Arizona.
Affiliated with private school system MLMPI Prep Academy School System, the goal of Transformational Technologies, for grades 6-12, is prioritize life skills such as financial literacy and résumé-building over traditional school curriculum.
The school’s opening got support from two local Republican bigwigs — Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne and former Gov. Doug Ducey, Fox Phoenix reported.
Money Questions
On the surface, Transformational Technologies sounds promising and innovating, but there seems to be little information on the financials — who’s funding it, has Tyson invested, or is he being paid for his sponsorship?
According to an academy spokesperson, Tyson’s TTA has no out of pocket expenses to attend as all costs are covered through the ESA Scholarship.
The fight duo have reportedly already established three other schools: two in Florida and another in West Virginia.
Tyson’s Millions
While the money behind appears to be anything but transparent, Tyson’s money ups and downs have been pretty public. According to Forbes in 2016, Tyson earned $400 million in the ring (not adjusted for inflation). Today, his net worth is estimated at $10 million, having lost millions upon millions over the years.
In 2003, he declared bankruptcy after splurging on real estate and cars, among other things. He was also known to be overly generous — een giving away a Bentley and a Rolls-Royce.
Despite his fortune, Tyson once revealed on his podcast, “‘Hotboxin’,” he was envious of a homeless man because money can’t buy happiness.
Still, he is back in the money-making business. The Brownsville, Brooklyn, native has a hand in the cannabis industry, and he is said to have made millions in 2023 from his cannabis business.
Tyson’s cannabis company, Tyson 2.0, sells edible cannabis gummies called Mike Bites shaped like ears with a bite mark. It is a reference to when Tyson notoriously bit a chunk out of fellow fighter Evander Holyfield’s ear during their contentious rematch for the WBA heavyweight championship.
“I got fined $3 million for that and, I might have made $30 million since that happened,” Tyson said in an interview with “Checc’n In Podcast with Big U” last year. “From that bite. You know how important that was for people!”
Hi Christian – Thank you so much for your post and sharing such inspiring news! I am the director of Marketing for Tyson Transformational Technologies Academy and I noticed that there is a correction to be made to this article in regards to our annual tuition fee. Could you be back in touch so that I can provide you with the correct information to include in your fabulous write-up. Thank you!