Most athletes earn money from endorsements, merchandise, and businesses. But what about the ones who actually made more from their side gigs than from playing the game that made them famous? These sports legends discovered that their true calling wasn’t on the field but in boardrooms, kitchens, and surprisingly creative ventures that turned them into moguls.
George Foreman Grilled His Way Past Boxing Earnings
George Foreman was a two-time heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist who made around $5 million throughout his career. Not bad, right? In 1994, Salton Inc. approached Foreman about endorsing a fat-reducing countertop grill. Foreman signed on, expecting basically nothing.
Overnight, the George Foreman Lean Mean Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine exploded in popularity, earning him around $8 million per month at the peak. In 1999, Salton bought out his rights for $137.5 million in cash and stock. His total earnings from the grill? Over $200 million.
Magic Johnson Built an Empire Beyond Basketball
Magic Johnson’s basketball career produced five championships, three MVP awards, and a place among the game’s all-time greats. But his business career might be even more impressive than his basketball legacy.
In the mid-1990s, he opened Magic Johnson Theaters in underserved urban communities, which were massive hits. Then came his Starbucks partnership, which allowed him to own 105 locations that he sold back to the company in 2010 for profit. Today, Magic Johnson Enterprises is worth an estimated $1.2 billion with investments spanning everything from real estate to eSports teams.
Michael Jordan’s Sneakers Dwarf His Basketball Salary
Michael Jordan earned roughly $90 million during his entire NBA playing career. That’s a lot of money, obviously. But it’s pocket change compared to what the Jordan Brand generates. Nike’s Air Jordan line brings in over $5 billion annually, and MJ still earns around $150 million per year from the partnership.
Michael’s deal with Nike in 1984 was revolutionary, as he got a percentage of sales rather than just a flat endorsement fee. Today, the Jordan Brand sponsors dozens of athletes across multiple sports and has become a cultural phenomenon.
Venus Williams Designs Interiors That Outlast Tennis
Venus Williams has seven Grand Slam singles titles and 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, earning millions in prize money and endorsements throughout her career. But she has been quietly building a second career in interior design.
Venus founded “V Starr Interiors” in 2002, a full-service interior design firm based in Florida. The company has designed luxury residences, hotels, and commercial spaces for high-profile clients. She has made it clear that interior design is far from another celebrity vanity project. She’s earned a degree in interior design from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and actively runs the company herself.
There are several reasons why some athletes’ side hustles eclipse their sports careers. Timing, smart partnerships, and recognizing that athletic fame has an expiration date. These athletes understood that their names carried value and leveraged that recognition into ventures that generated wealth for decades. The scoreboard eventually stops bearing their names, but a great business idea can compound interest for years to come.
