“Football doesn’t last forever.” A refrain every rookie hears when he’s handed his first giant check. So what comes after sports?
Some professional athletes retire, some pick up golf, but some become successful entrepreneurs and business owners. Let’s take a look at the top 10 pro athletes who became successful entrepreneurs after their playing days were over.
Steph Curry
Like LeBron, Steph Curry is getting up there in years, and needs a release valve for his energies.
Enter Unanimous Media: “which produces scripts, digital content, and documentaries focused on sports, family, and faith-based content.”
And they’re already rocking. A 2021 deal with Comcast for new projects was worth eight figures. He also has a show on Apple TV+, Underrated.
Look for this young man to rapidly expand his portfolio once he’s done with basketball!
Net worth: $160 million
Maria Sharapova
For 11 years, Maria Sharapova was the highest-paid female athlete. So how did this tennis and beauty icon do it?
For starters – winning! Between prize money and endorsements during those 11 years, she raked in an estimated $300 million.
Then she built a … candy empire? Indeed. She even wanted to change her name to Maria Sugarpova after the brand! Interestingly, she’s also an investor in the MMA promotion UFC. Hey, it all adds up!
Net worth: $180 million
George Foreman
Olympic gold medalist. Two-time heavyweight champion of the world. He beat the heck out of Smokin’ Joe Frazier, and then lost the title to none other than Muhammad Ali.
But after his fighting days, he sold a simple little machine that took the country by storm. The George Foreman Grill is still a fixture on any college campus!
When he partnered with Salton to make the George Foreman Grill, surely he wasn’t expecting anything like 100 million units sold. But sell they did, and made George Foreman a very wealthy man.
Net worth: $300 million
Tom Brady
Let’s just get this out of the way: Tom Brady is the GOAT. Period.
But now that his playing days are over (Just a reminder: 7 Super Bowl Rings, 89,214 yards, 649 touchdowns) he’s settling in to his new life. That new life includes his lifestyle and health brand, TB12.
The company seeks to teach people how to eat, train, and live like the GOAT. Who wouldn’t want that?
And should he sign a blockbuster $375 million broadcasting deal with Fox… well, all the better!
Net worth: $300-450 million
David Beckham
The stylish Brit who can really bend the ball also bends the business world to his will.
David Beckham dominated the field for England, Manny U, Real Madrid, and the LA Galaxy. Now, he dominates the board room. You name it, and he’s there: cologne, pubs, fashion, cosmetics, he’s doing it all with style and panache.
Of course, he’s also the spokesman in about 100 commercials. Altogether, it adds up to serious bank.
Net worth: $450 million
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Younger people may not realize that Arnie is the most famous bodybuilder of all time. Even more people probably forget that he was the Governor of California.
But where he made his fortune was in movies. He has tons of iconic roles. Conan. The Terminator. The Expendables. Dozens more.
Instead of taking salaries for some movies, he took box office percentages – a very smart move that made him a very wealthy man.
Net worth: $450 million
Shaquille O’Neal
Oh, you didn’t know Shaq was, in addition to everything else, a working DJ? He’s also served as a policeman!
But that’s not where he gets his money. A lot of it comes from franchising – he owns some in Five Guys, Papa John’s, Krispy Kreme, Auntie Anne’s, and Big Chicken.
He runs sporting goods lines called Shaq Sports, and he even runs a fashion line called the Shaquille O’Neal Collection.
When you say “He does everything” about Shaq, you really mean it!
Net worth: $500 million
LeBron James
Look, LeBron made $480 million just from his basketball contracts.
So how did he become even wealthier than that? Massive endorsements from Nike and Kia Motors.
Inc.com notes that his business ventures are successful, too. He runs an entertainment company with his friend called SpringHill Company, which attracted all kinds of capital from blue chip names. And let’s not forget, he uses his wealth for education and job training for underprivileged Ohioans.
Net worth: $1 billion
Magic Johnson
Everybody knows Magic Johnson. Unfortunately, more probably know him because of his health status rather than his playing days or his entrepreneurship.
But after basketball, Magic became a major investor. Magic Johnson Enterprises seems to do a little bit of everything. Starbucks stores, movie theaters, and now even becoming part owner of the LA Dodgers baseball franchise. He’s also part owner of Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA, Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Football Club, and eSports franchise Team Liquid.
But that’s not all. His firm partners with minority-owned tech companies, financial services, and more.
Net worth: $1.2 billion
Michael Jordan
His Airness is the GOAT both on and off the court. After racking up records and trophies for the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards, Michael Jordan became a kingpin.
You may have heard of Air Jordan shoes. The GOAT’s deal with Nike made Jordan bigger than ever, earning $330 million in royalties just from the shoes in 2013.
For those of a certain age, you also certainly remember his endorsement deals with Wheaties, and of course, Hanes.
Michael Jordan doesn’t take second place. He just doesn’t!
Net worth: $3.2 billion