The Richest Retired Athletes in the World Right Now

Stars in select sports tend to make millions of dollars throughout their careers. And if you rank among the very best, you can still rake in a ton of money after retiring. However, some retired famous athletes aren’t settling for finances that’ll see them live a regular, comfortable life. Their quest for more has seen them command more money than they accumulated in the duration of their respective careers.

This reiterates the “rich people are committed to being rich” quote from T. Harv Eker, an accomplished author.

Making more fortune after you’ve retired isn’t a stroke of luck, though. Athletes who’ve tread this path have businesses and endorsement deals paving the way for otherworldly financial success.

But who are these superstars? Not to worry, this guide will give a detailed overview of retired athletes who struck gold after their careers ended.

The Richest Retired Athletes Right Now

Many athletes have retired and faded into oblivion. However, these retired sports stars are on the other side of the pile, with finances that blow the mind of many.

Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson was an NBA superstar with a career spanning 13 years, ending in 1991. While playing professional basketball, Magic scooped many individual awards; he was a 12-time all-star and appeared in the All-NBA First Team nine times.

After retirement, Magic Johnson diversified his investment portfolio. He’s got shares in Starbucks, 24-Hour Fitness, Burger King, and EquiTrust. Forbes declared Magic Johnson a billionaire back in 2023. His net worth in June 2025 is estimated to be around $1.5 billion.

DID YOU KNOW: As seen in a BBC report, Magic Johnson claimed that he would’ve become a billionaire sooner if he hadn’t refused shares from Nike back in the 1970s. Instead, he took an endorsement deal with Converse valued at $100,000 worth of earnings per year.

2. Shaquille O’Neal

Next on our list of the richest athletes in the world that are retired is Shaquille O’Neal (AKA Big Shaq). Like Magic Johnson, Shaquille was a sensation in the NBA. In the course of his career, Big Shaq featured in the All-NBA first team seven consecutive times and lifted the championship four times in total during his stints at the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat.

Upon retirement, Shaquille O’Neal finances rose exponentially, with the ex-NBA superstar making investments in Apple, 24-Hour Fitness, and an array of franchise restaurants.

Currently, Shaquille O’Neal has a net worth of over $500 million dollars. This cements his place as one of the richest athletes in the world. He attributes his investment acumen to Magic Johnson who advised him to start owning things, regardless of his fame.

FUN FACT: Big Shaq also claimed to have made an accidental investment of $250,000 in Google back in 1999. However, the company turned out to be profitable; it’s now worth more than $1 trillion.

3. Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning made a name for himself while at the NFL. He played professional football for 17 seasons; he spent 13 at Indianapolis Colts and four at the Denver Broncos. He ranks as one of the highest-paid players in NFL history, with $248 million in career earnings.

While his career earnings made headlines, Peyton Manning’s finances haven’t taken a dip even after retirement.

Through his investment company, the ex-NFL quarterback has holdings in tech startups and real estate. He also receives several endorsement deals. Recently, his production company — Manning’s Omaha Productions — inked a nine-year deal with ESPN. Currently, Peyton Manning’s net worth is estimated to be around $250 million.

4. David Beckham

Among the richest retired athletes in the world is a familiar name — David Beckham. Regarded as one of the best football players in English history, Beckham is hailed for his technical abilities (the most notable involving curling the ball into the net from far distances).

He plied his sporting trade for several revered clubs such as Manchester United, Paris Saint Germain, and Real Madrid. Due to his reverence in world soccer, it’s no surprise that Beckham netted a staggering $800 million in career earnings.

David Beckham has a vast array of investments in his portfolio. The most notable include DB Ventures, Haig Club Whiskey, Guild Esports, Fragrance Empire, Kent & Curven, and IM8. He’s also the co-owner of MLS side Inter Miami; this US-based soccer team acquired the services of Lionel Messi some years back and has had its revenue skyrocket ever since.

But that’s not all. Beckham has a lifetime deal with Adidas worth $160 million. He also has endorsement deals with Pepsi and TUDOR that bring in tens of millions in US Dollars every year. Currently, David Beckham has a net worth of $450 million.

5. Michael Jordan

Wrapping up our list of the richest retired athletes in the world is Michael Jordan. MJ doesn’t really need any introduction, as his name sent shock waves worldwide while playing for the NBA’s Chicago Bulls. During the course of his career, Michael Jordan won a truckload of awards. He’s a 14-time NBA All-Star and six-time NBA Champion. His drive to win saw him average a mind-blowing 30 points per game.

“Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.”

This is a quote from the basketball superstar and you can see that it played out in his basketball career. Well, it also translates into his investments.

The ex-NBA player has holdings in companies such as Cincoro Tequila, NASCAR, and Michael Jordan’s Steak House. What’s more? Back in 2010, he bought the Charlotte Hornets NBA franchise. In August 2023, he sold it for a mind-blowing $3 billion.

MJ doubles as an advisor and investor in DraftKings, a sports betting company. Talking about sports betting, MJ was a competitive athlete in his days and many punters made money by betting on his teams. If you are also looking into sports betting now, it is a good opportunity to make some extra bucks, but you should dig deep to uncover top bookmakers with the best offers before you begin.

According to Evelyn Balyton, a respected tipster, going with a bookmaker with good bonus offers can be very valuable, especially for casual bettors. To discover top bookmakers known for their exclusive free bonus & sign-up offers read review sites and follow the recommendations of experts.

Michael Jordan has made a fortune via lucrative endorsements with companies like Nike. This particular partnership has netted the former basketball player over $1 billion since it started. Jordan’s net worth in 2025 is estimated to be $3.2 billion, according to Forbes.

Conclusion

We’ve just curated a list of athletes who hit it big after retirement. If you look closely, you’ll notice that none of them sat on their earnings to live a comfy life. Rather, they sought to diversify their investment portfolios and earn mind-blowing amounts. Even if you aren’t an athlete, you can look upon the individuals on this list for inspiration on how you can achieve financial independence.

The article was provided by Evelyn Balyton