NFL stars amass wealth through business ventures beyond their playing days

Fran Tarkenton
Fran Tarkenton

NFL players have not only made a name for themselves on the field but have also built substantial wealth through various business ventures. Among the top earners is Roger Staubach, whose net worth stands at $600 million, largely due to his successful real estate investments. Fran Tarkenton and Tom Brady also feature prominently on this list, with Tarkenton’s tech ventures and Brady’s endorsements significantly boosting their fortunes.

“The NFL isn’t just about touchdowns and tackles, but also a testament to the incredible wealth its top stars have amassed,” states the press release. The richest players combine their athletic prowess with business acumen, resulting in financial empires that extend beyond their playing careers.

Familiar names such as Roger Staubach, Russell Wilson, Fran Tarkenton, and Tom Brady are among those leading this group of financially elite athletes. Their wealth comes from lucrative contracts, endorsement deals, real estate investments, and media ventures.

Fran Tarkenton ranks as the second-richest living NFL player with a net worth of $300 million. His career spanned 18 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants from 1961 to 1978. Although he earned $1.2 million in player salary during his career—a modest amount by today’s standards—his post-retirement ventures significantly increased his wealth.

Tarkenton became a pioneer in customer relationship management (CRM) software by launching Tarkenton Software in the late 20th century. The company merged with KnowledgeWare in 1986 and was later acquired by Sterling Software for $73 million in 1994. Additionally, Tarkenton secured endorsement deals with major brands like Johnson & Johnson.

According to CelebrityNetWorth, Tarkenton currently owns several businesses including Tarkenton Financial, GoSmallBiz, and Tarkenton Teleconferencing. He reportedly holds over $100 million in Apple stock and owns real estate valued at around $15 million.

Information from this article can be found here.


Organizations Mentioned: National Football League

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