The modern athlete is far more than a competitor. The most successful performers have become global brands, venture-capital backers, and media moguls. As a result, their fortunes now rival those of tech founders and hedge-fund managers. Below is an up-to-date snapshot, drawn from verified 2025 valuations, of the ten richest sportspeople alive this June.
The Business of Sporting Wealth
When an athlete’s earning window on the pitch, court, or circuit narrows, the smartest look outward: franchising food outlets, launching fashion labels, or buying equity in emerging entertainment sectors such as competitive gaming, and in particular sports betting. However, according to Lee Ho-jinn, you might be surprised to discover that certain online platforms make it wonderfully simple to lodge funds, yet difficult to withdraw them later.
Seeking transparent platforms can be a strategic move not only for bettors but also for sports professionals, aligning their name or capital with betting ventures. Experts from esportsinsider.com profile safe and verified Toto sites to help professionals find these platforms. The demand for security and legitimacy in this sector makes reputational diligence a must. With that in mind, let’s turn to the athletes who have mastered such strategic thinking and now top the wealth charts in 2025.
The 2025 Rich List
1. Michael Jordan – Approximately £2.76 billion
Michael Jordan remains at the pinnacle of global sports wealth. More than twenty years after hanging up his Air Jordans, he continues to redefine what it means to be a sporting mogul. The game-changer was his 2023 sale of a majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets, which reportedly netted around £2.36 billion. This massive windfall added to his ongoing revenue from the Jordan Brand with Nike, arguably the most successful athlete-brand collaboration in history.
Jordan also maintains investment stakes in DraftKings, a prominent sports betting company, and owns the NASCAR team 23XI Racing. With a personal brand recognised across generations, his estimated net worth sits around £2.76 billion as of mid-2025.
2. Ion Țiriac – Approximately £1.73 billion
Ion Țiriac, once a top-level tennis and ice hockey athlete, turned his competitive edge into continental dominance in business. The Romanian magnate established a diversified portfolio that includes banking, insurance, and the highly profitable Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament. His companies span several sectors and continue to grow in value across Europe.
Țiriac’s keen financial sense has kept him at the top of the European sports rich list, with a net worth of approximately £1.73 billion.
3. Junior Bridgeman – Approximately £1.10 billion
A name less well-known on the court, Junior Bridgeman made a lasting mark far beyond it. Following a solid but unflashy NBA career, he delved into franchising, eventually owning over 450 Wendy’s and Chili’s restaurants across the United States. These ventures created a business empire that later expanded into Coca-Cola bottling and the purchase of Ebony and Jet, two iconic African-American media brands. Though he sadly passed away in early 2025, his estate remains one of the wealthiest in sport, with an estimated value of £1.10 billion.
4. Earvin “Magic” Johnson – Approximately £1.02 billion
Magic Johnson is a masterclass in charisma-driven business. After retiring from professional basketball, he built Magic Johnson Enterprises, a company with interests in commercial real estate, urban redevelopment, and entertainment. His high-profile sports investments include stakes in the LA Dodgers (MLB), LAFC (MLS), and the Washington Commanders (NFL).
Thanks to his far-reaching business network and enduring popularity, Johnson’s estimated net worth now stands at around £1.02 billion.
5. Tiger Woods – Approximately £1.02 billion
Despite a reduced playing schedule, Tiger Woods is still a financial juggernaut. His long-time endorsement deals with Nike and TaylorMade continue to deliver strong revenue, while his design business, TGR Design, is responsible for several high-end golf courses globally.
More recently, Woods became involved in TMRW Sports, a tech-forward golf company he co-founded with Rory McIlroy. These strategic ventures, alongside his legendary career, have helped him maintain a personal wealth of approximately £1.02 billion.
6. LeBron James – Approximately £940 million
LeBron James is not only still competing at the highest level in basketball at 40 years old, but he’s also running a rapidly growing business empire. His production company, SpringHill, is behind several major film and TV projects, while his lifetime contract with Nike ensures a steady income well into retirement.
LeBron also holds equity in Fenway Sports Group, which owns Liverpool FC and the Boston Red Sox. All told, his financial portfolio is valued at an estimated £940 million.
7. Lionel Messi – Approximately £670 million
Lionel Messi’s move to Inter Miami in the MLS has proven lucrative. In addition to a hefty salary, his contract includes a share of revenue from Apple TV+ subscriptions tied to MLS broadcasts, an innovative commercial model that has changed the way athletes are compensated.
Off the pitch, Messi is involved in a range of endorsements with brands like Adidas and Pepsi, and he’s recently invested in a hotel chain that spans southern Europe. His estimated net worth in June 2025 is approximately £670 million.
8. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – Approximately £660 million
From wrestling to film and now business, Dwayne Johnson has proven himself a multifaceted force. He’s one of Hollywood’s top-grossing stars, with credits including Fast & Furious and Moana. However, it’s outside the cinema where his wealth has exploded.
His tequila brand, Teremana, is currently valued at close to £800 million and is one of the fastest-growing spirits in the world. He also holds a significant stake in TKO Group, the merged parent company of WWE and UFC. Johnson’s net worth stands at approximately £660 million.
Final Thoughts
Taken together, these ten individuals control an estimated £11 billion, proof that athletic excellence can generate dynastic wealth. In 2025, the playbook is clear: secure marquee contracts early, preserve earnings, diversify into ownership, and when opportunity knocks, whether in esports, film production, or real estate, answer with conviction.
