NBA champ Tristan Thompson disrupts telecom giants with bold plan to expand internet access worldwide
Tristan Thompson is well-known for his strong defense on the basketball court, but now he is stepping into a new role off the court. In August 2025, the
NBA
star joined World Mobile as their Chief Digital Equity Officer.
His new job focuses on helping people in underserved areas get internet access, aiming to connect millions worldwide who currently have no reliable online connection.
NBA champion Tristan Thompson takes on digital equity mission
On August 10, TMZ Sports reported that Tristan Thompson, the 34-year-old NBA player, joined the
telecommunications
company World Mobile. He has taken a big role there as the Chief Digital Equity Officer. This means Tristan will help World Mobile connect people who live without easy access to the internet.
— tmz (@tmz)
Thompson is not just a face for the company. According to World Mobile sources, he believes deeply in their mission to give internet service to people in many parts of the world who lack it, especially in poor or rural areas. Right now, about one-third of the world's population has no internet connection. This is often because big companies find it too expensive to build networks in those places.
World Mobile plans to change this by using a special peer-to-peer system.
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Instead of building costly towers, regular people can host small devices called AirNodes. These devices help build a big network that spreads the internet in new ways.
Balancing basketball and tech Tristan Thompson's ambitious dual role
Tristan Thompson's new job started officially in August 2025. As Chief Digital Equity Officer, he will lead the "Community Connectivity Fund." This is a multi-million-dollar program by World Mobile aimed at improving internet infrastructure and starting pilot projects in different parts of the world.
Thompson said in an interview with TMZ Sports, 'Connecting people to the internet changes lives. It opens doors to education, jobs, and health care.' He believes his work with World Mobile can make a real difference.
While preparing for his 14th NBA season as a free agent, Thompson is balancing his basketball career with this new mission. In addition to World Mobile, he is also working with two companies focused on Artificial Intelligence, including a partnership with TracyAI announced earlier in 2025.
His role with World Mobile is based mainly out of the company's offices, which focus on global connectivity projects. The company's approach of using AirNodes allows ordinary people to help spread internet access, which could make a big impact in remote areas.
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Tristan Thompson's new role shows how athletes can use their influence beyond sports to help people worldwide. His focus on digital equity highlights the growing importance of internet access as a basic need everywhere.
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India Today
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News18
an hour ago
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Kishane Thompson Breaks Lyles' Streak, Sets Record At Silesia Diamond League
Last Updated: Jamaica's Kishane Thompson beat Olympic champion Noah Lyles in the 100m at the Silesia Diamond League, clocking 9.87sec. Jamaica's Kishane Thompson exacted a measure of revenge by beating Olympic champion Noah Lyles over 100m at the Silesia Diamond League meet on Saturday. It was the first time the two sprinters have met since Lyles clinched Olympic gold in Paris a year ago, just five-thousandths of a second ahead of Thompson. The fast-starting Jamaican timed a joint meet record of 9.87sec for victory in the Polish city of Chorzow, with Lyles second in 9.90sec. Another American, Kenny Bednarek, rounded out the podium in 9.96sec. 'It felt alright. My job is to get the job done," said Thompson. The Jamaican, who missed the cut for the 2023 world championships in Budapest, will be one of the favourites for this year's edition in Tokyo on September 13-21. But he downplayed the significance of the result. 'Honestly, I compete against myself, no offence to the competition," he said, admitting that his Paris Olympics experience had offered him a learning curve. 'My race today was not so good, not so bad. I enjoyed competition against Noah today," he said. 'It is all about execution: I had problems with that, but I am finding it. 'The key is to find the momentum in the race and to maintain it until the end. Nobody is perfect, but I am working on improving my strengths and improving on my weaknesses. 'Paris last year was a big learning factor. I learned it is me against myself. No disrespect to my rivals, but anything is possible when you execute well." Lyles put a positive spin on his second place, saying it was a 'great stepping stone". 'I needed to see a sub-10," the American said. 'I needed to see winning, beating people, I took out some really big heads today, people who run 9.7 and 9.8. 'I am getting the confidence. It makes me really excited for not only today, but also for next week and Tokyo. 'The more I run, the better I am getting. I get more excited each day and it is working. I need to keep competing." Lyles was drawn in lane seven, outside Bednarek and inside Christian Coleman, with Thompson in five and South African Akani Simbine to his left. But it was Thompson who stole the march in hot and humid conditions, rocketing out of his blocks to leave the field in his wake for a true gun-to-tape display. Lyles had the joint slowest reaction of the nine-man line-up and looked to be out of even a podium finish from the start before he came through strongly over the closing 20 metres to pinch second place from Bednarek. Thompson's winning time matched the 9.87sec meet record jointly held by Americans Ronnie Baker and Fred Kerley. It did not quite match the world-leading 9.75sec he set at the Jamaican trials in June, a time which puts him sixth on the all-time list. view comments First Published: News sports Kishane Thompson Breaks Lyles' Streak, Sets Record At Silesia Diamond League Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
3 hours ago
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Watch: Olympic champion Noah Lyles stunned; Jamaican sprinter Kishane Thompson wins 100m at Silesia Diamond League
Noah Lyles of the United States. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File) Jamaican sprinter Kishane Thompson defeated Olympic champion Noah Lyles in the 100m race at the Silesia Diamond League meet on Saturday. This marked their first encounter since the Olympics in Paris last year, where Lyles secured gold by a margin of just five-thousandths of a second ahead of Thompson. Thompson clocked a joint meet record of 9.87 seconds in Chorzow, Poland. Lyles finished second with 9.90 seconds, while American Kenny Bednarek took third place with 9.96 seconds. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! "It felt alright. My job is to get the job done," said Thompson. Thompson, who did not qualify for the 2023 world championships in Budapest, is now considered a top contender for this year's event in Tokyo, scheduled for September 13-21. Watch: "Honestly, I compete against myself, no offence to the competition," he said. "I needed to see a sub-10. I needed to see winning, beating people, I took out some really big heads today, people who run 9.7 and 9.8. I am getting the confidence. It makes me really excited for not only today, but also for next week and Tokyo," said Lyles. Lyles competed from lane seven, positioned between Bednarek and Christian Coleman. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo Thompson ran in lane five, with South African Akani Simbine on his left. Thompson dominated the race from the start in the hot and humid conditions, leading from beginning to end. Lyles recorded the joint slowest reaction time among all nine competitors. He appeared to be out of medal contention initially but managed to secure second place in the final 20 meters, overtaking Bednarek. Thompson's winning time equaled the meet record of 9.87 seconds, jointly held by Americans Ronnie Baker and Fred Kerley. His performance fell short of his world-leading time of 9.75 seconds, set at the Jamaican trials in June, which ranks him sixth on the all-time list. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
