Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges has partnered with Dovly, a Phoenix credit improvement startup, to amplify the importance of building and maintaining credit.
Dovly makes consumer-facing software that automatically monitors and fixes errors on credit reports, with the goal of raising credit scores.
Most American students, including Bridges, do not learn much about financial literacy in school and as a result many young people do not realize the importance of credit.
“As a kid, I didn’t quite grasp the concept of credit,” he said in a statement. “So from the start, my mom made it a priority for me to develop a good credit score. Now it’s my turn to help others do the same — and a partnership with Dovly is making that possible.”
Bridges grew up in Philadelphia, raised solely by his mother, Tyneeha Rivers. Rivers worked with her son to build a plan around major purchases, and now Bridges wants to convey that message to others.
Managing money is more important than ever for Bridges after signing a four-year, $90 million contract extension with the Suns in October. Bridges was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2018 draft, but he was quickly traded to the Suns and has since played his entire career in Phoenix.
The Suns are 3-3 so far this season after reaching the NBA Finals and losing to the Milwaukee Bucks in six games last June. Their next game is Thursday night at home against the Houston Rockets.
Nirit Rubenstein co-founded Dovly in 2018 and she said working with a well-known athlete like Bridges helps amplify the importance of credit with younger users.
“Seventy percent of college students damage their credit shortly after graduating,” she said in a statement. “We’ve partnered with Mikal so he can use his personal experience with finances and credit to help his fellow millennials. His influence can make a difference in countless lives.”
Dovly is based in Phoenix and currently has about 20 employees, most of whom are in the Valley. The company raised a $3 million bridge round in July.
