Super Bowl-ing For Dollars: The Richest NFL Players Of All Time

Quick Links

• Calvin Johnson

• Brett Favre

• Carson Palmer

• Joe Montana

• Eli Manning

• Drew Brees

• Tom Brady

• John Madden

• Peyton Manning

• Roger Staubach

Highlights

• The richest NFL players cleverly leveraged their success in football to become successful entrepreneurs and brand endorsers, earning vast sums of money.
• Some of the richest NFL players made intelligent investments in real estate, start-up companies, and the cannabis industry.
• Not only are the players wealthy, but NFL teams themselves generate staggering amounts of revenue, making the league a true cash cow.

Millions of people are fans of American football (or "gridiron football") the world over, but that is particularly true on the National Football League's home turf: the United States.

Massive television contracts and endorsement deals allow the richest NFL players to earn vast sums of money.

From multi-million dollar contracts to off-field strategic investments, these NFL players have gone beyond football to become successful entrepreneurs and brand endorsers.

In February 2023, data published by St. Bonaventure/Siena Research crowned football "clearly king" in America, the top choice of sports fans by a large margin:

"Seventy-two percent of all Americans – including 97% of Avid fans and 92% of Involved fans – identify as football fans. Forty-seven percent say football is their favorite sport, including 77% of Avid fans and a majority of men (52%) ...

"Seventy-two percent of Americans watch live NFL games, including more than 90% of Involved and Avid fans, nearly 80% of men and even 27% of Non-Fans.

"'A majority – 58% of all Americans – watch NFL games live more than two hours a week and 35% of Avid fans watch six or more hours of NFL football every week,' [Siena's Don] Levy said."

"Where attention goes, money follows" is a modern axiom that quite aptly applies to football, and one which evidences itself in the financial profiles of the richest NFL players.

A Note About The Richest NFL Players' Net Worths: Determining the net worth of any given notable individual is complicated by factors such as undisclosed assets and liabilities.

We examine a variety of sources and financial details in an effort to be as precise as possible.

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Top NFL players have leveraged their success thoroughly to add even more zeroes to their bank account, bringing in more than twice the league's average salary.

Some of the biggest stars in football paved their way to generational wealth, too.

Join us as we unveil the financial touchdowns scored by these NFL titans, exploring the diverse avenues which contribute to their remarkable wealth.

10 Calvin Johnson

Calvin Johnson's Net Worth (Estimated): $60 Million

"Megatron" ruled and dominated the defensive backs that played against him while serving as one of the best wide receivers for the Detroit Lions.

Calvin Johnson, the highest-paid receiver in the NFL in 2012, made over $73 million just from salary alone and broke the league record for most receiving yards in a single season.

Johnson's endorsement earnings include lucrative deals with Nike, FanDuel, and other big brands. Intelligent investments in real estate and start-up companies are made from savings he accrued during his playing days.

In addition, Johnson is a partial owner of a cannabis dispensary chain and other legal cannabis business enterprises.

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Despite retiring early at the age of 30, Calvin Johnson was able to capitalize on his on-field production and savvy money management skills in building a net worth of $60 million.

9 Brett Favre

Brett Favre's Net Worth (Estimated): $100 Million

Famously known as "Gunslinger," Brett Favre spent 20 record years in the NFL with the Falcons, Packers, Jets, and Vikings.

Favre built a legendary football career as a pioneering NFL quarterback who scored 500 touchdowns (TDs), 70K yards, and 10K attempts (ATT).

However, off the field, Favre has bolstered his fortune through endorsements with Wrangler, Remington, MasterCard, and via real estate investments.

After retirement, Brett Favre signed a 10-year product endorsement deal with Bergstrom Nutrition, further adding to his estimated $100 million net worth.

8 Carson Palmer

Carson Palmer's Net Worth (Estimated): $140 Million

In 2003, Carson Palmer was the top overall selection, and spent the next fifteen years playing for the Bengals, Raiders, and Cardinals.

Palmer earned $174 million in salary during his playing days.

He maintains interests in the Palmer Properties real estate group and owns a minor stake in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

He also earns income through lucrative endorsement deals with companies such as Fanatics, Nike, and UGN.

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From the fame and fortune of his playing career and the addition of wise investments, he accumulated a $140 million estimated net worth, which continually grows through his various streams of compensation.

7 Joe Montana

Joe Montana's Net Worth (Estimated): $150 Million

The San Francisco 49ers had legendary quarterback Joe Montana, who won four Super Bowls and three Super Bowl MVPs (Most Valuable Player).

One of the most successful quarterbacks in football history, Montana has since created a fortune worth an estimated $150 million by wisely investing and working with big brands.

Endorsements involving big brands such as Sketchers, Joint Juice, and Guinness, as well as venture capital and real estate investments, make him among the top ten wealthiest retired NFL players.

Montana remains the favorite among the fans and a gridiron icon, which adds to his estimated $80 million personal wealth.

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6 Eli Manning

Eli Manning's Net Worth (Estimated): $150 Million

Eli Manning is a two-time Superbowl champion quarterback who spent 16 years with the New York Giants and won two dramatic victories.

Manning brought in more than $252 million in career salary and bonuses, and he pocketed lucrative endorsement deals with Nike, DirecTV, Toyota, and Hublot.

Eli's wealth portfolio is rounded out with savvy investments in technology and real estate.

Manning has used his NFL fame to create a staggering estimated net worth of $150 million through smart money management, which is likely to endure.

The future only looks brighter when one considers his business ventures, as well as his public profile.

5 Drew Brees

Drew Brees' Net Worth (Estimated): $160 Million

Drew Brees played for the New Orleans Saints and became the Super Bowl XLIV MVP after quarterbacking the Saints' win.

Brees played 20 legendary NFL seasons for the Saints and Chargers, retiring as the all-time passing leader with 80,358 yards.

His clever use of investments in the food industry, restaurants, games, and athletics earned him a whopping $160 million estimated net worth.

Through investments in SurgePays, Waitr Holdings, and PointsBet, Brees built notable wealth, and his endorsement earnings pad out lucrative deals with brands like Nike, PepsiCo, Microsoft, and Wrangler.

Through prudent money management and several high-end investments, Brees parlayed his Gridiron success into multi-millionaire status.

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4 Tom Brady

Tom Brady's Net Worth (Estimated): $180 Million

Tom Brady is recognized as the best quarterback in NFL history, and he managed to win seven Super Bowl rings over 23 years in his career with the Patriots and the Buccaneers.

He made over $330 million in his career earnings (salary and endorsements), and has also established a wildly successful health and wellness company (TB12).

On top of that, Brady has partnered with luxury brands like Aston Martin and UGG, and owns myriad valuable assets, including a $17 million mansion in Miami.

Branded as one of the world's most celebrated sports stars and frequent sports winners, Brady transformed his football genius into a multi-million empire; he is likely to become even more affluent in his retirement.

3 John Madden

John Madden's Net Worth (Estimated At The Time Of His Death): $200 Million

As a legendary NFL coach and broadcaster, John Madden brought his infectious passion for football into American homes for decades.

His hit video game franchise, Madden NFL, has sold over 130 million copies globally since 1988, earning Madden endless royalties.

Lucrative endorsements with brands like Ace Hardware, Outback Steakhouse, Verizon, and Miller Lite also added to his wealth.

Madden built an empire by converting football brilliance into smart business, establishing his place as one of sports' most iconic figures with an estimated $200 million fortune.

Madden died on December 28th 2021, at the age of 85.

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2 Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning's Net Worth (Estimated): $250 Million

Peyton Manning exemplified statistical excellence in an 18-year-long NFL career – he was a five-time MVP, and netted approximately $400 million altogether in his time on the field.

Peyton's wealth is further enhanced by lucrative endorsements from high-profile firms such as Nike, Nationwide, Papa John's, and Buick. He owns twenty-one Papa John's pizza franchises across Colorado, generating millions annually.

Venture capital investments in tech start-ups are generally a smart move, as they provide more income for a player's later years.

Considering Manning is one of football's most prominent envoys, he transformed his intergenerational standing into solid wealth, building a staggering net worth estimated at $250 million.

1 Roger Staubach

Roger Staubach's Net Worth (Estimated): $600 Million

Roger Staubach was an excellent player who won two Super Bowls (including a Super Bowl MVP) in his illustrious NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys.

Staubach, who turned 82 on February 5th, founded the company Jones Lang LaSalle after retiring from football; it profits to the tune of over $16 billion annually.

Staubach made a fortune of over $600 million due to the unparalleled success of his organization, coupled with profits from shrewd oil, gas, and other investments.

America's quarterback became an industry captain, equivalent to Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos.

Staubach's highest earnings for a former NFL player through entrepreneurship make him unique, and earned him top spot as the richest NFL player.

Recap: The Richest NFL Players At A Glance

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