Athletes are known for their focus and drive on the field. But those traits don’t disappear when they retire and transition into a second career.
The average NFL athlete plays for just 3.5 years. What comes next?
Many athletes turn to entrepreneurship, applying the same determination to build companies that win.
There are endless lists of rich and famous athletes who used their fame to launch a product or who made a savvy investment with their vast fortune. But for every Shaquille O’Neil and Michael Jordan, there are everyday professional athletes who quietly built businesses and wealth. Here are just twelve of them.
1. Chris Gronkowski (NFL): Innovating Fitness Products
- Business: Founder of Ice Shaker, a company that makes insulated bottles for fitness enthusiasts.
- Industry: Health and fitness products.
- Revenue: Over $3 million in revenue two years after appearing on Shark Tank.
- How It Started: Chris noticed a gap in the market for a shaker bottle that could keep drinks cold for hours. He combined his NFL earnings with lessons from his entrepreneurial family (hello, Gronkowski brothers) to create Ice Shaker. After gaining investment from Mark Cuban and Alex Rodriguez, the brand has expanded into national retailers like Target.
2. Jessica Mendoza (Olympic Softball): Championing Wellness and Equality
- Business: Media analyst for ESPN and investor in health and wellness startups.
- Industry: Media and health.
- Revenue: Not public, but her startup investments have grown in value alongside her broadcasting career.
- How It Started: Jessica transitioned into broadcasting after her Olympic softball career, becoming one of the first women to analyze MLB games. Her business interests align with her athletic background, focusing on fitness apps and products promoting healthy living.
3. Vernon Davis (NFL): Arts and Entertainment Ventures
- Business: Founder of Vernon Davis Art Gallery and co-owner of Between the Linez, a film production company.
- Industry: Arts, entertainment, and tech investments.
- Revenue: Between the Linez raised $10 million for its first film.
- How It Started: Vernon’s passion for art began during his NFL career, and he used his earnings to open a gallery showcasing his work. He later diversified into filmmaking and now collaborates with industry professionals on larger productions.
4. Ryan Howard (MLB): Venture Capital Powerhouse
- Business: Co-founder of SeventySix Capital, a venture capital firm focusing on sports tech, esports, and fitness.
- Industry: Venture capital.
- Revenue: The firm manages hundreds of millions in assets.
- How It Started: Ryan launched the firm to combine his passion for sports and innovation. SeventySix Capital has invested in companies like Nerd Street Gamers (esports) and QuintEvents (sports hospitality), driving cutting-edge advancements in these industries.
5. Tim Tebow (NFL/MLB): Fitness and Nutrition Empire
- Business: Tebow Nutrition, a supplement line, and D1 Training Gyms, a fitness franchise.
- Industry: Health and fitness.
- Revenue: D1 Training Gyms reported $40 million in system-wide revenue in 2022.
- How It Started: Tebow’s dedication to fitness and wellness inspired him to create businesses that align with his values. He partnered with D1 Training to expand fitness accessibility and launched his nutrition brand to help others achieve their health goals.
6. Abby Wambach (Soccer): Leadership and Equity
- Business: Co-founder of Wolfpack Endeavor and investor in Angel City FC, a women’s soccer team.
- Industry: Leadership development and sports.
- Revenue: Angel City FC raised over $100 million in funding and generated $12 million in revenue in its first year.
- How It Started: Abby turned her experience as a captain into a business centered on leadership training. With Wolfpack Endeavor, she helps companies build inclusive cultures. Her investment in Angel City FC aligns with her mission to elevate women in sports.
7. Torii Hunter (MLB): Real Estate Leader
- Business: Owner of residential and commercial properties across the U.S.
- Industry: Real estate.
- Revenue: Estimated portfolio value in the tens of millions.
- How It Started: Torii began investing in real estate during his MLB career. He focused on properties in high-growth areas, leveraging his earnings to build a steady income stream post-retirement.
8. Clint Dempsey (Soccer): Creative Ventures
- Business: Music producer and investor in entertainment and sports ventures.
- Industry: Entertainment and sports.
- Revenue: Not publicly disclosed but tied to multiple profitable projects.
- How It Started: Clint’s love for music during his playing days led him to pursue production post-retirement. He also invests in startups that align with his interests in creativity and innovation.
9. Lauryn Williams (Olympics): Financial Planning for Athletes
- Business: Founder of Worth Winning, a financial planning firm.
- Industry: Finance and personal wealth management.
- Revenue: Advises dozens of athletes and young professionals annually, with fees ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 per client.
- How It Started: Lauryn experienced financial mismanagement early in her athletic career and wanted to help others avoid the same mistakes. She became a certified financial planner and launched her firm to provide tailored advice.
10. Marques Colston (NFL): Innovating in Tech and Healthcare
- Business: Co-founder of Dynasty Innovation, a consulting firm, and investor in healthcare startups.
- Industry: Business consulting and tech.
- Revenue: Dynasty Innovation generates $1 million annually from consulting services.
- How It Started: Marques used his NFL discipline to build a consulting firm that helps businesses scale. His investments in healthcare focus on improving patient outcomes and advancing medical technologies.
11. Keith Smith: Real Estate Investor
- Business: Triple net lease (NNN) investing
- Industry: Real Estate
- How It Started: After learning from mentors, Keith focused real estate efforts on the triple net lease (NNN) space, a lesser-known but highly lucrative area of real estate investing. With a triple net lease, the tenant—often a large business like Dollar General or Chipotle—takes on the responsibility for taxes, insurance, and maintenance, leaving the landlord with little to no property management duties. This arrangement offers a steady, passive income stream with minimal responsibility for the property owner.
12. Jacob Turner (MLB): Financial Planning for Athletes
- Business: Founder of Moment Wealth, a financial planning firm.
- Industry: Finance and personal wealth management.
- How It Started: After a career in the MLB where he watched some athletes thrive and others struggle with fast motny, Jacob started Moment to help athletes build and secure their wealth.
Why Athletes Succeed in Business
Athletes are natural entrepreneurs. They’re resilient, adaptable, and have access to unique opportunities. A Forbes study found that 75% of athletes who start businesses report finding a greater sense of purpose post-retirement.
For these athletes, success wasn’t about walking away from the game—it was about creating a new one.
How Athletes Become Entrepreneurs
Athletes excel in business by leveraging their unique skills and opportunities:
- Real Estate: Athletes such as Keith Smith and Torii Hunter use real estate to build wealth and generate steady income. From rental properties to large developments, it’s a reliable way to diversify and secure their finances.
- Cash Flow Investing: Many athletes prioritize investments that produce consistent income, like dividend-paying stocks, rental properties, or franchise businesses, ensuring financial stability after retirement.
- Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL): By capitalizing on their NIL, athletes create personal brands that attract sponsorships, endorsements, and business opportunities, often serving as a launchpad for entrepreneurial ventures.
- Venture Capital: Athletes like Ryan Howard invest in startups, combining their wealth and networks to fund innovative companies. This approach aligns with their passions while offering high-growth potential.
- Existing Brand: With existing fanbases, athletes have a marketing edge. A Nielsen study shows that 53% of fans are more likely to support brands tied to athletes they admire.
For every famous athletes who launched a successful businesses, there is a normal player who started a business that led to financial freedom. If they can do it, you can do it. All it takes is starting early, a strategy, and good mentors.
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