Superstar athletes these days can earn tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars. But these kinds of contrats don’t apply to all nor most professional athletes. While they are still very well paid, most make far less. And since the average career of a professional athlete is 10 years or less, they often have to plan properly in order to take their lifestyle after retirement. Here are eighteen amazing success stories of athletes who have used their fame and name recognition to build careers and empires that earn them far more money after leaving the game than they did when they played.
18. Nolan Ryan
Sport: Baseball
Year Retired: 1993
Sources of Fortune: Baseball team ownerships (two minor league teams and partial ownership of Houston Astros); Bank ownership; Product endorsements (Advil)
Est. Net Worth: $60 million
17. Grant Hill
Sport: Basketball
Year Retired: 2013
Sources of Fortune: Real estate investments; Product endorsements
Est. Net Worth: $80 million
16. Pele
Sport: Soccer
Year Retired: 1977
Sources of Fortune: Real estate investments; Endorsements
Est. Net Worth: $100 million
15. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
Sport: Professional Wrestling
Year Retired: 2013
Sources of Fortune: Acting; Product endorsements
Est. Net Worth: $160 million
14. Wayne Gretzky
Sport: Hockey
Year Retired: 1999
Sources of Fortune: Sports team ownerships; Restaurants; Product endorsements (Coca Cola, Domino’s Pizza)
Est. Net Worth: $200 million
13. Hakeem Olajuwon
Sport: Basketball
Year Retired: 2002
Sources of Fortune: Real estate investments in Houston, TX
Est. Net Worth: $200 million
12. George Foreman
Sport: Boxing
Year Retired: 1993
Sources of Fortune: Product endorsements – George Foreman Grill, Meineke Mufflers
Est. Net Worth: $250 million
11. Jack Nicklaus
Sport: Golf
Year Retired: 2005
Sources of Fortune: Golf course design; Product endorsements
Est. Net Worth: $280 million
10. Greg Norman
Sport: Golf
Year Retired: 2008
Sources of Fortune: Golf apparel; Golf course design; Real estate investments, Golf academies
Est. Net Worth: $300 million
9. Andre Agassi
Sport: Tennis
Year Retired: 2006
Sources of Fortune: Product endorsements (Canon, American Express, Adidas, Genworth Financial); Real estate investments; Hotels; Fitness Centers
Est. Net Worth: $175 million
8. Shaquille O’Neal
Sport: Basketball
Year Retired: 2011
Sources of Fortune: Product endorsements (Buick, Gold Bond); Sports announcing
Est. Net Worth: $350 million
7. Michael Jordan
Sport: Basketball
Year Retired: 2003
Sources of Fortune: Product endorsements (Nike, Hanes, Gatorade, McDonald’s, Coca Cola, Chevrolet); Basketball team ownership (Charlotte Hornets);
Est. Net Worth: $1 billion
6. David Beckham
Sport: Soccer
Year Retired: 2013
Sources of Fortune: Product endorsements (Adidas, Breitling, H&M, Jaguar), Business ventures (Haig Club Whiskey)
Est. Net Worth: $350 million
5. Magic Johnson
Sport: Basketball
Year Retired: 1996
Sources of Fortune: Sports team ownerships (LA Lakers, LA Dodgers); Business ventures (Movie theaters, Starbuck’s)
Est. Net Worth: $500 million
4. Roger Staubach
Sport: Football
Year Retired: 1980
Sources of Fortune: Real estate; Partial ownership of investment management company
Est. Net Worth: $600 million
3. Arnold Palmer
Sport: Golf
Year Retired: 2006
Sources of Fortune: Real estate holdings (Latrobe Country Club, Bay Hill Club and Lodge); Product endorsements (Callaway, Rolex)
Est. Net Worth: $675 million
2. Ion Tiriac
Sport: Tennis
Year Retired: 1980
Sources of Fortune: Bank ownership; Real estate investments
Est. Net Worth: $2 billion
1. Jim Brown
Sport: Football
Year Retired: 1966
Sources of Fortune: TV & Movie Acting; Sports Announcing
Est. Net Worth: $50 million
Source: Life in the golden years
