Going Broke: The Mistakes NFL Players Make and How to Avoid Them (2024)

Going Broke: The Mistakes NFL Players Make and How to Avoid Them (1)

With so many economic issues, everyone is trying to make a dollar go further. NFL athletes are no different. Having been on both sides of this issue as a player and now as an agent, I have seen firsthand how easily money comes and goes in professional sports.

While shows like ESPN’s documentary Broke highlight the pitfalls of being a professional athlete, there are also many players who are smart with their finances. In NFL locker rooms all around the country, televisions are set to ESPN and NFL Network, but also to CNN and CNBC.

Players care about their financial futures, and by heeding the following advice they should be able to live comfortably for the rest of their lives.

One of the first concepts young players have to grasp is that most of their NFL careers will be short-lived and that they will not play in the NFL long enough to make millions of dollars.

Most athletes get through college on Pell grant money or a small scholarship stipend. If they make the NFL as rookies, the base salary in 2012 is $390,000. Most players look at that number and think they are set, when in reality they will be lucky to get about half of that after taxes.

For example, adjusting to the cost of living in New York City after moving from Columbia, Mo., is a hard lesson to learn. Products just cost more. Most players struggle with the cost-of-living adjustment and are amazed at how quickly their bank accounts dwindle.

Another major issue for athletes are the expectations from family and friends. I have heard horror stories of parents telling their son that they expect to retire now that he has been drafted.

The NFL player needs to provide for his parents like they provided for him.

Family members expect free flights, free tickets, free jerseys, helmets and NFL gear. Saying no to family is very hard and players are "guilted" into spending money they should be saving.

NFL players work hard to make the league and want to enjoy the spoils of their success. But trying to “keep up with the Joneses” can be expensive and cause lots of financial heartache.

When a young player first signs with a team, he looks in the parking lot and sees BMWs, Mercedes and even Maybachs. Maybe he dreamed of having those cars as a kid, and he may believe that he “needs” that ride now. Most of those cars are driven by players who have already made big money and can afford them, but some guys who buy them are trying to front and act like they have more cash than they do.

Pride is an evil mistress in a NFL locker room, and trying to have the best house, the best suits and the most cars can get expensive and frivolous.

Some of the best advice I ever heard was from a veteran who blew through his rookie contract on “toys” and was fortunate to have seen the error of his ways.

“Why did I need more than one car anyway? I can only drive one at a time,” he said.

This lesson applies to owning houses as well. Players need to live within their means and think long-term as opposed to short-term.

Most players are not taught good spending habits growing up and never learn these lessons in college. There are not many colleges or universities that offer life skills courses on how to manage credit and be a wise investor. I have known players who had no idea what a credit score was. That is why hiring a competent financial planner who can teach you and make sound investments is important.

As an agent, I cannot and will not offer financial investment advice to my clients. No investment is risk-free, just like no one financial adviser is great for every player. I recommend each player interview multiple firms to find the best fit.

As an agent, I advise my clients on many topics, but I do not play for them, so ultimately their career is their responsibility. The same principle applies to their money.

I use this example when I talk to players: You would never just walk up to a stranger, hand him your child and say, "Take care of this for me.” You would ask for references; you would talk to other people this person has done childcare for; you would take every precaution to ensure your child's safety. The same rules should apply to your money.

There are too many horror stories of people from all walks of life losing their fortunes. Even if a person tries to live frugally, life and loss can still happen.

But if a player is smart financially, any loss will be minimal, and he will not end up the subject of a documentary about how he went from rags to riches, then back to rags again.

Going Broke: The Mistakes NFL Players Make and How to Avoid Them (2024)

FAQs

What is the percentage of NFL players who go broke? ›

According to Sports Illustrated, nearly 4 out of 5 former NFL players either go bankrupt or suffer severe financial distress within two years of retirement.

What is the average salary of a NFL player? ›

The median wage for all NFL players is around $860,000, which is considerably lower, and First-year rookies earn a minimum of $435,000. While top quarterbacks can make over $25 to $30 million per year, the average salary for all quarterbacks is $5,766,000, with a median income of $1,100,000.

Who is the richest NFL player in history? ›

With a net worth of roughly $600 Million, Roger Staubach is the wealthiest NFL (National Football League) player. Behind Roger Staubach is John Madden, with an estimated net worth of $200 Million, followed by Peyton Manning (No. 3, $200 Million); and Tom Brady (No. 4, $180 Million).

How long does it take for NFL players to go broke? ›

Sports Illustrated recently estimated that 80% of retired NFL players go broke in their first three years out of the League.

Are NFL players still going broke? ›

According to a working paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research, 15.7% of NFL players have filed for bankruptcy within twelve years of retiring. (16% of retired NFL players go bankruptcy, Fortune.com).

Who is the first billionaire NFL player? ›

(July 18, 1936 – March 1, 2023) was an American businessman, football player, and owner in the National Football League (NFL).
...
Jerome Johnson Richardson Sr.
No. 87
NFL Draft:1958 / Round: 13 / Pick: 154
Career history
As a player:
Baltimore Colts (1959–1960)
20 more rows

Who is the lowest paid NFL player? ›

While Tyrone Swoopes was the lowest paid player in the NFL in 2021, looking at the low end of league earners in 2022 isn't as transparent.

How much does a NFL cheerleader make? ›

A report just last year from NBC News pinpointed the average pay for NFL cheerleaders to be about $150 a game, or roughly $22,500 a year, which is not much different than what it was reported to be in the original Raiders lawsuit.

What is the lowest salary in the NFL? ›

The minimum for an NFL player's salary is $750,000 in 2023, according to Spotrac, but that number changes based on experience. The minimum for a rookie is $750,000, but that increases to $870,000 for players with one year of experience and $940,000 for players with two years of experience.

Is there a billionaire in the NFL? ›

After founding his own real estate company late in his playing career, Staubach sold it for more than $600 million in 2008. Now 81, Staubach is believed to be the wealthiest current or former NFL player of all time.

Are there any billionaires in the NFL? ›

Woody and Christopher Johnson are businessmen and owners of the New York Jets. They are great-grandsons of Robert Wood Johnson and heirs to the Johnson & Johnson empire. The Johnson family was reported to be worth $10.7 billion in 2020.

How much money is Tom Brady worth? ›

That endorsem*nt total would put Brady's net worth around $512 million if you combine his on- and off-field earnings.

Do NFL players keep getting paid after retirement? ›

Severance is paid as a lump sum post-retirement check. You will receive the payment on the quarter-end date following one full year without any NFL contract activity. The amount you will receive is based on the number of credited seasons you have, and the years in which you played.

Does an NFL player get paid if you cut him? ›

If a team releases a player before paying part of that player's guaranteed salary or guaranteed bonus, the team still must pay that money. This doesn't happen very frequently, however. In most cases, the player has already received all guaranteed money by the time he's released. The remainder of the contract vanishes.

How many years do you have to be in the NFL to get a pension? ›

How Long Do You Have to Play in the NFL to Get a Pension? NFL players must play for three seasons before they can be eligible to receive a pension. That's when he'll be considered vested. Meaning he's eligible to receive benefits negotiated under the CBA.

What percent of NFL players are black? ›

56 percent

Does the NFL have debt? ›

Based on a November disclosure of the NFL's debt load and financial information disclosed in the current Fitch rating, it appears the new notes probably are increasing the league's total indebtedness by around $900 million to $10.87 billion, although public disclosure could provide an incomplete picture.

Do NFL players lose money when injured? ›

Does an NFL player get paid while on injured reserve? A player still gets paid – and counts toward the salary cap – while on IR.

Who has the first $100 million dollar contract in the NFL? ›

The NFL's First 100 Million Dollar Man. On March 1, 2001, Brett Favre signed a "lifetime" contract extension, a 10-year deal worth $100 million with the Green Bay Packers.

Is Tom Brady a billionaire? ›

Tom Brady and his family is all set to become a Billionaire

Combine that with his promised $375 million deal with Fox, and the GOAT already makes it to $625 million. Keeping in mind the $400 million Net Worth of his Brazilian supermodel wife, Gisele Bundchen, the Brady family is all set to become a Billionaire.

Who is the youngest owner ever in the NFL? ›

Irsay was 12 years old when his father, Robert Irsay, acquired the Baltimore Colts, after initially purchasing the Los Angeles Rams, then swapping franchises with Colts owner Carroll Rosenbloom. After graduating from SMU in 1982, he joined the Colts' professional staff.

Do NFL players get paid weekly? ›

NFL players are generally paid on a weekly basis during the regular season. According to reports, salaries are deposited into their bank accounts at the start of every week, however, the exact days when they get paid could vary.

How much do NFL refs make? ›

How much do NFL referees make?
SportAverage Salary
NFL Official$188,322
NHL Official$212,500
MLB Official$235,000
NBA Official$375,000
Mar 31, 2023

Who is the lowest paid NFL coach? ›

The five lowest-paid NFL coaches in 2023
  • #5 – Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers – $5 Million.
  • #4 - Robert Saleh, New York Jets – $5 Million.
  • #3 - Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals – $4.5 million.
  • #2 - Mike McCarthy, Dallas Cowboys – $4 million.
  • #1 - Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns – $3.5 million.
Mar 28, 2023

How much do cheerleader Cowboys get paid? ›

For instance, Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, aka America's Sweethearts, who happen to be one of the most popular groups in the NFL, earn about $15-20 per hour, or $500 per match. Therefore, their yearly salary comes out to about $75,000.

Is a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader a full time job? ›

Is being a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader a full-time job? No, most Cheerleaders hold part-time or full-time jobs or attend college.

How much does a Dallas cowgirl cheerleader make per game? ›

Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders make $12 an hour and also receive an additional $400 per game appearance. Some senior-level Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders earn $75,000 per season. This is impressive compared to most other NFL cheerleaders. Generally, NFL cheerleaders make very low annual salaries.

How much do rookie NFL players get paid? ›

The CBA also sets out minimum salaries for players in the NFL depending on their years of service. For 2023, a rookie will get a minimum of $750,000. This is a figure that is much closer to the reality for the vast majority of players in the NFL.

How much does a 1st round NFL draft pick make? ›

What will the salary be for the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft? The projected contract for the No. 1 pick in 2023 is roughly $41,217,000 in total value, with an estimated signing bonus of $26,976,000 and a 2023 cap of $7,494,000, according to Spotrac.

What is the lowest paid sport? ›

Here are some of the lowest wages in professional sports:
  • Boxing. No athlete earns more today than Floyd Mayweather, who rakes in more than $73 million per year. ...
  • Bowling. ...
  • Football. ...
  • Golf. ...
  • Hockey. ...
  • Lacrosse. ...
  • Major League Soccer. ...
  • Minor League Baseball.
Nov 25, 2014

Who is the richest manning? ›

What is Peyton Manning's net worth? Peyton is the richest Manning, with an estimated net worth of $250 million. His successful NFL career helped him earn endorsem*nts from various huge brands such as Sony, ESPN, Spring, DirecTV, Master Card, Reebok, and Gatorade.

What NFL player spent all his money? ›

Terrell Owens squandered nearly every dollar of the massive fortune he earned during his outstanding NFL career.

Who owns the NFL? ›

The simple answer is that no one entity owns the NFL. Perhaps the best way to describe who owns the league is that the 32 NFL teams own the league. Therefore, the NFL and its brand lie in the hands of the NFL franchise owners. A number of teams are owned by just one person, while others have dual ownership.

What NFL team is a black billionaire trying to buy? ›

The National Football League is frantically appealing to Robert F. Smith, the nation's richest black man, to buy the Denver Broncos — but thus far he has shown a reluctance to bid, sources told The Post.

Who is the richest sports team? ›

Dallas Cowboys

What family has owned an NFL team the longest? ›

Along with being the oldest and longest-tenured owner in the NFL today, McCaskey is also one of 12 current female owners. Virginia Halas McCaskey is the matriarch of one of the most prominent ownership families in the history of American sports. On her 100th birthday, we celebrate a genuine football life.

What team does Tom Brady own? ›

Tom Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl champion, is not content with just being one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. After temporarily buying a minority stake in the Miami Dolphins, Brady has now acquired an ownership interest in a WNBA franchise owned by Raiders' Mark Davis: Las Vegas Aces.

What is Pat Mahomes salary? ›

Mahomes is the fifth-highest paid quarterback in the league based on average annual salary ($45 million), even though the total length of his contract is still the highest in NFL history.

How much will Tom Brady make at Fox? ›

His $37.5 million salary would by far be the most for any NFL color commentator, roughly doubling the $18 million salaries for ESPN's Troy Aikman and CBS' Tony Romo, according to the New York Post.

Do NFL players get health insurance for life? ›

NFL players become eligible for pensions after playing three seasons and health insurance after retirement if they play for five years. But many NFL players don't make it to that point.

How much is a 10 year NFL pension? ›

Due to the NFL's systemic injury rate, the average retirement age for an NFL player is 55. A ten-year NFL veteran who played prior to 1993, receives approximately $43,560, a year, pre tax, at age 55.

Do NFL players get health insurance? ›

The NFL only covers healthcare for five years after retirement. After that, their health plan can cost up to $35,000 a year in premiums. While the NFL does provide healthcare stipends, they do not even amount to the premium payment on the league's own plan. Contrast this with the other major sports leagues in America.

Do NFL players get guaranteed money if they don't play? ›

Injury guarantee

This is the best-known form of guaranteed money, which is activated when a player is cut from the team but is unable to play ball or pass a physical. The player is entitled to the money in his contract that is protected against injury.

Do NFL players get benefits? ›

We offer a wide range of benefits in areas including health, family, finance and wellness. HEALTH: The NFL offers a variety of comprehensive, high-quality medical, critical illness insurance, accident insurance, dental, vision and prescription drug packages to meet your specific needs.

How do NFL players get paid after the season? ›

NFL players can receive pay during their offseasons, but it depends on their contracts. For example, players can receive bonuses for participating in offseason workouts. Typically, players' base salaries are paid out weekly during the season. Players can also earn more if their teams make the NFL playoffs.

Who is the richest NFL football player? ›

Roger Staubach

What benefits do former NFL players get? ›

You and your eligible dependents receive 5 years of Extended Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug, and Work/Life Resources coverage, also known as Continuing Veteran (CV) coverage. replacements. eligible dependents. you + $2,000 for each additional Credited Season thereafter (max of $50,000).

How much is OJ Simpson's pension from the NFL? ›

O.J. Simpson receives a pension of up to $25,000 per month from the #NFL, per @UberFacts. Interestingly, that amounts to a limit of $300,000 a year just from the NFL as a pension. However, with a net worth of about $7 million, the ex-running back hardly needs it.

What percentage of football players come from poverty? ›

A 2019 study conducted by the National College Players Association found that 86 percent of college athletes live below the federal poverty line.

Do most NFL players come from poverty? ›

Today, more than half of all NFL players come from a county with a poverty rate higher than the national average. Nearly 70 percent of NFL players are African-American, and face a much higher likelihood of being in poverty than most demographic groups.

What percentage of NFL players are broke 2 years after playing ball? ›

A Fortune magazine article states, however, that a working paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research found that the percentage of NFL players who go bankrupt after two years is a much smaller 1.9%, climbing to 15.7% after 12 years.

What percentage of total revenue do NFL players get? ›

Violations of the NFL's substance abuse policy no longer can result in a player suspension. Players receive 48% of the NFL revenue by the 2021 season, and at least 48.8% of the revenue in any 17-game NFL season.

What percent of football is white? ›

National Football League Statistics by Race

The percentage of Black or African-American NFL players reached 57.5%, Whites 24.9%, Hispanics or Latinos 0.4%, Asians 0.1%, Pacific Islanders 1.6%, and American Indian 0.2%. 9.4% of players identified as two or more races.

What race is the majority of football players? ›

Players in the NFL in 2022, by ethnicity. In 2022, the greatest share of players by ethnic group in the National Football League (NFL) were black or African American athletes, constituting just over 56 percent of players within the NFL.

What NFL player grew up homeless? ›

Knowshon Moreno was not supposed to become a success, as he lived in countless homeless shelters in his early childhood before his grandmother received custody of him after his parents (who were teenagers when he was born) were deemed unfit.

Who makes the least amount of money in the NFL? ›

While Tyrone Swoopes was the lowest paid player in the NFL in 2021, looking at the low end of league earners in 2022 isn't as transparent.

Why is the NFL so well off financially? ›

NFL teams generate local and international revenues through TV contracts. The teams receive large payments from television providers thanks to multibillion-dollar contracts, and there are even more television viewers and broadcasts of games than other programs on set.

What is the NFL 3 year rule? ›

Player Eligibility

To be eligible for the draft, players must have been out of high school for at least three years and must have used up their college eligibility before the start of the next college football season.

How much is an NFL player fined for giving a ball away? ›

The facts: The NFL doesn't fine Newton for giving footballs away, a league spokesman told Snopes.com. But all NFL players are fined $5,250 when they throw or punt a ball into the stands because of the issues of crowd safety.

Do NFL players get to keep footballs? ›

An NFL football that goes into the stands is considered a "live ball" and is not allowed to be kept as a souvenir. It is a rule in the NFL that any ball that goes into the stands during a game must be returned to the field of play, as it could potentially be used again in the game.

How much money does a team get for winning the Super Bowl? ›

According to the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement with the NFL, each member of the winning team will pocket $157,000, a $7,000 bump over what the Los Angeles Rams earned last year. Winners of Super Bowl LVIII next year will receive $164,000. They'll get those checks within 15 days of the game.

Who pays NFL player salaries? ›

NFL teams pay their players weekly during the 18-week season. Each of the league's 32 teams plays 17 games during 18 weeks with one "bye" week off. Salaries usually include conditions that can affect payments, such as whether they miss games due to injury.

How much profit do NFL owners make per year? ›

It's safe to say NFL teams are doing well.

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