Hanging up a jersey doesn’t always mean the cash flow stops. In fact, some athletes made far more once they stepped off the field. They stepped beyond stadiums and scoreboards to grow fortunes through smart business moves, branding deals, and even career pivots.
After riding the fame, these athletes flipped it into lasting fortunes.
George Foreman
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Foreman’s heavyweight title isn’t exactly what made him a household name. It was that countertop grill. After licensing his name to Salton, the George Foreman Grill sold over 100 million units. The deal eventually earned him a $138 million payout, along with royalties. For many, he became more recognizable in kitchens than in boxing rings.
Magic Johnson
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Instead of resting on his Lakers legacy, Johnson got busy. He invested in real estate, movie theaters, and Starbucks franchises and eventually landed part ownership of the Dodgers. Magic Johnson Enterprises became a billion-dollar operation.
Shaquille O’Neal
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Shaq took brand deals and turned them into long-term investments. He grabbed early stakes in Google, PepsiCo, and various restaurant chains, including Papa John’s and Krispy Kreme. His portfolio touches real estate, fast food, tech, and esports, and he has established a business powerhouse with a larger-than-life résumé to match his size.
Tim Horton
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Hockey fans knew Horton for his NHL career, but coffee lovers know him from the ubiquitous Tim Hortons cafés. He opened the first shop in 1964. By the time the chain exploded across Canada and beyond, his name had become less about defensemen and more about double-doubles and Timbits.
Jim Bouton’s
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Bouton’s tell-all “Ball Four” alienated him from Major League Baseball but launched a different kind of fame. He followed up with more books and turned his candor into a second act in broadcasting. Later, he co-invented Big League Chew, a shredded bubble gum that became a dugout mainstay.
Roger Staubach
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While still playing for the Cowboys, Staubach built a commercial real estate firm that worked with top brands. The Staubach Company sold for $613 million in 2008. With no direct tie to sports, his rise in real estate was both deliberate and wildly profitable, and set a benchmark for smart post-career transitions.
Junior Bridgeman
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Bridgeman’s NBA may not have turned heads, but his post-career choices did. He bought hundreds of Wendy’s and Chili’s franchises before shifting to Coca-Cola bottling. His businesses brought in over $30 million a year at their peak.
Vinnie Johnson’s
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Known as “The Microwave” in the NBA, Johnson heated up the automotive sector after retiring. He launched Piston Group in 1995, which now generates nearly $3 billion in yearly revenue. With clients like Toyota and GM, Johnson’s business success turned his modest $5 million NBA earnings into a net worth of roughly $400 million.
Arnold Palmer
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Palmer’s off-course earnings reached $875 million, including branding deals with Cadillac, Rolex, and AriZona Beverages. His signature drink is still ordered by name across the country. He also co-founded the Golf Channel and owned a course.
Michael Strahan
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Strahan made the leap from the gridiron to daytime TV without missing a beat. Hosting “Live! with Kelly and Michael” led to “Good Morning America” and NFL commentary gigs. Today, his annual TV paycheck rivals his best NFL contracts.
Peyton Manning
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Manning’s charm carried into business. He turned into one of the most likable pitchmen on TV. Between ad campaigns for Nationwide and DirecTV, and his own Omaha Productions, he built a media presence that’s both self-aware and profitable.
David Beckham
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Beckham enjoyed sports glory for a long time and eventually built a brand with global reach. He co-founded Inter Miami CF, launched fashion and media ventures under Beckham Brand Holdings, and maintained lucrative endorsements. Alongside Victoria Beckham’s business endeavors, their joint empire is now worth more than $500 million.
Hakeem Olajuwon
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Olajuwon’s Houston-based real estate investments involved buying fully developed property and holding. That strategy paid off. By 2006, he had made as much in real estate in 10 years as he did during 17 seasons in the NBA. His current net worth is estimated at $300 million.
John Elway
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Elway traded quarterbacking for car sales and made it work. He sold five dealerships in 1997 for $82.5 million and still holds interests in several others. His ventures expanded into restaurants and sports teams. In Colorado, he’s managed to stay a household name through business as much as football.
Michael Jordan
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Basketball gave him fame, but Nike made him a billionaire. The Jordan Brand racks up billions annually, and Jordan collects royalties from each pair sold. Add in ownership stakes, endorsement deals, and a range of business interests, from tequila to auto dealerships, and his post-NBA earnings left even his Bulls salary in the dust.
