Fortune and Fame: The Net Worth of America’s Richest Sports Icons

Sport holds a special place in the hearts of many Americans. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’d be well aware The Super Bowl is consistently one of the most watched events ever. Likewise, baseball, NBA, golf and ice hockey rate pretty highly as our favorite sporting pastimes to play, watch and cheer for. But how much do the best of the best get paid? Read on and find out, old sport. 

Most of the top athletes in the United States are paid pretty well for their time, often earning in the millions as part of their pay packets. Not bad, eh? While some squander their fortunes and end up broke, others invest wisely and have become the richest athletes in America. 

While their exact net worth is a bit of guesswork (the very wealthy often go to great lengths to hide their assets), it's safe to say all these men have huge fortunes. 

And now, our round up of the richest US sports stars. Coming in at number one is, unsurprisingly, none other than…

Michael Jordan

Sport: Basketball 
Estimated Net Worth: Over $3.2 billion or more. Yes. Billion. 

A household name most people would know, Michael Jordan is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. During his time in the NBA he was paid rather well, with career earnings estimated at over $90 million—a princely sum, even by today’s standards. However, he made the bulk of his cash through investments, sponsorships, his association with Nike, Gatorade and McDonald's, along with other business ventures. 

More recently, in 2023, he sold his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets, an NBA franchise valued at $3 billion. As of 2024, Michael Jordan’s net worth is estimated to be well over $3 billion. Some have it as high as $3.75 billion. Only the man himself knows the exact figure, but it's safe to say that any list of the richest sports stars will have him pretty close to the top.

Vince McMahon

Sport: WWE, professional wrestling 
Estimated Net Worth: Estimated $2.9 billion or more 

The world of sports entertainment, better known as professional wrestling, or by the biggest promotion of the sport, WWE, is often the subject of debate when it comes to classifying wrestlers as real athletes. The matches are not true contests, more theater than anything, but some of the hits they receive can cause serious injury. Either way, it's hard to argue their physical condition is comparable to other athletes at the top of their game.

None more so than Vince McMahon who, in his prime, was a top wrestler. He has held many different roles in the world of sports entertainment though: performer, promoter, producer, announcer and most famously, majority owner and CEO of the WWE. He was the company's largest shareholder before it was sold to Endeavor in 2023 for $9.3 billion. Any income he made through other ventures pales in comparison.

McMahon's actual net worth isn't known, but it's estimated to be anywhere between $2.9 billion and $3.2 billion—or possibly more. 

Jerry Richardson 

Sport: NFL
Estimated Net Worth: Estimated $2 billion or more 

Former National Football League (NFL) player and executive Jerry Richardson passed away on March 1 2023, leaving behind a fortune of around $2 billion. After playing two seasons for the Baltimore Colts, he demonstrated remarkable business acumen. His business ventures netted him far more than playing in the NFL ever could. 

In 1959, he reportedly used his NFL championship bonus to invest in opening the first Hardee's franchise, which he ended up owning a 50% stake in. Hardee’s has since expanded to include more than 1,800 restaurants. Richardson also founded Spartan Foods, served as the CEO at Flagstar and founded the NFL team the Carolina Panthers. He owned the team from its first season in 1995 until he sold the franchise in 2018. He is by far the richest NFL player of all time and among the wealthiest sports stars ever. 

Tiger Woods 

Sport: Golf 
Estimated Net Worth: Estimated $1.3 billion or more 

The biggest and most recognizable golfer in the US and beyond, Tiger Woods has had a storied career that has seen him win a huge number of accolades and make a substantial amount of money doing it. He has reportedly earned around $121 million in prize money from PGA tours alone. 

A large part of his wealth has come from endorsement deals with major brands such as Nike and Monster Energy. Woods also has significant interests in various businesses and serves as founder and CEO of TGR, a multi-brand enterprise comprised of his multiple companies. The golfer’s net worth is estimated to be anywhere from $1.3 billion, all the way up to $2.5 billion - or possibly even more than that. 

Floyd Mayweather 

Sport: Boxing 
Estimated Net Worth: Estimated $1.2 billion or more 

A controversial figure in boxing for many reasons, Floyd Mayweather is to date the only boxer to ever retire with a 50-0 undefeated record as a professional. Contrary to popular belief, he has lost before, just not as a pro. 
Throughout his career, Mayweather accumulated substantial wealth from his boxing endeavors. First as just a fighter and then through his promotion company, Mayweather Promotions, which allowed him to take a share of the pay-per-view earnings, ticket sales, merchandise and international TV deals of his bouts. 

Mayweather made around $280 million from his fight with UFC star Conor McGregor and around $240 million from his long-awaited and ultimately disappointing fight with fellow boxing great Manny Pacquiao. At the same time, he has been raking it in from endorsements of various brands, the launch of his merchandise line, investing in real estate, cryptocurrency, and other sectors.

LeBron James 

Sport: Basketball 
Estimated Net Worth: Estimated $1.2 billion or more 

LeBron James is already an NBA legend and reportedly the league's highest paid player. However, he's also secured many lucrative deals and endorsements outside of playing that skyrocketed his net worth into the stratosphere. 

James has appeared in commercials for companies like Kia and Intel, and is a major investor in food company Blaze Pizza. He also has investments in media production, bicycle brands, and sports agencies. Overall, it's generally agreed that he is worth over $1 billion, at least.

Magic Johnson

Sport: Basketball 
Estimated Net Worth: $1.2 billion or more

Here we have yet another NBA legend who leveraged his earnings into a huge fortune. Only a fraction of Magic Johnson's wealth can be attributed to his storied NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers. He reportedly pocketed about $40 million for his 13 seasons, which he then invested in more than a few savvy business ventures. 

The bulk of his wealth comes from a stake in the Iowa based life insurance provider EquiTrust, a movie theater chain, which he sold, and over 100 Starbucks locations, which he has sold as well. Johnson is also an investor in sports teams, including the NFL team Washington Commanders and the WNBA team Los Angeles Sparks. He also had a stake in his former team, the Lakers, from 1994 until 2010. 

Phil Mickelson

Sport: Golf 
Estimated Net Worth: Nearly $1 billion, allegedly   

Pro golfer Phil Mickelson has had a great golf career, winning 45 events on the PGA Tour, six major championships and a host of other accomplishments. Most of his wealth has come from prize money, endorsements, sponsorships, and commercial deals with companies like Callaway Golf Company, Barclays, KPMG and Rolex. 

Mickelson designs golf courses and charges top dollar for special appearances as well. He also made around $200 million from a deal with professional men's golf tour LIV. His net worth has been estimated at around $400 million, but other figures claim $875 million, and even over $1.2 billion at the higher end of the spectrum.

Mickelson himself claims to be nearing billionaire status. During an online argument with Golf Channel analyst Eamon Lynch in 2023, Mickelson claimed his net worth was nearly a billion dollars. The figure hasn’t been verified, but considering his many million dollar pay days, some reaching into the hundreds of millions, it’s not entirely out of the realm of possibility that he is a billionaire by now.   

Arnold Palmer

Sport: Golf 
Estimated Net Worth: Estimated estate value $875 million  

The late great golfing legend Arnold Palmer passed away at the age of 87 back in 2016. His estate was valued at $875 million, earned through a diverse golf-related business career. He was considered one of golf's most popular stars during his prime years and the first true golf superstar. Nicknamed “The King”, Palmer earned a killing from prize money, but he also used that money for investments, including owning the Bay Hill Club and Lodge at one point, among other business ventures.