Financial success in sports often begins with the contract an athlete signs, but long-term wealth is usually built through smart investments. In recent years, stars across basketball, football, soccer, tennis, and even combat sports have shifted toward ownership, private equity, technology, and real estate. Their financial strategies provide lessons for anyone interested in long-term security.
As public interest in athlete business ventures grows, fans often stumble across these financial stories while scrolling through team news or even while checking a sportsbook like DraftKings for game lines. It is becoming clear that athletes now see business as a natural extension of their competitive careers.
Basketball Icons Turning Into Business Leaders
Many NBA players have become well-known investors. LeBron James is one of the most visible examples. Beyond his contracts and endorsements, he owns stakes in the Fenway Sports Group, SpringHill Company, Blaze Pizza, and a growing portfolio of entertainment and media ventures. His investment in Blaze Pizza was famously small at the start, yet it grew into a multimillion-dollar return as the chain expanded.
Stephen Curry has also built a diversified approach. He has invested in tech start-ups, a gaming company, and a venture fund. His brand produces television, film, books, and youth programs. Curry’s investments show how athletes can leverage a global fan base to launch successful ventures that reach far beyond the court.
Soccer Stars Dominating More Than the Pitch
Soccer players have increasingly followed business paths as well. Cristiano Ronaldo holds significant investments in hotels, gyms, fragrances, and lifestyle brands. His CR7 brand has expanded steadily for more than a decade and continues to grow in multiple sectors.
Lionel Messi has chosen a different model. He invests heavily in real estate, including luxury properties in Argentina and the United States. He also owns shares in lifestyle and hospitality companies. Messi’s choices highlight how athletes can use stability in real estate to balance riskier ventures.
Perhaps the most interesting soccer business example comes from Gerard Pique. After retiring, he launched media and sports technology projects, including a reimagined sporting league that became a major digital success. His journey shows that athletes can use their competitive mindset to create entirely new markets.
NFL Players Building Wealth Beyond the Game
Football careers can be physically demanding and often shorter, which is why many NFL players invest early. Russell Wilson has built a wide portfolio that includes real estate, food chains, and tech companies. His strategy centers on long-term stability and steady revenue streams.
Patrick Mahomes also stands out. Alongside his equity in the Kansas City Royals and Sporting Kansas City, Mahomes invests in sports nutrition brands, restaurants, and technology platforms. He focuses on companies tied to sports, lifestyle, and wellness, which gives his investments authenticity and strong brand synergy.
Rob Gronkowski famously claimed he saved nearly all his football earnings and lived only off sponsorships. After retiring, he began investing in fitness, recovery products, and consumer brands. His disciplined financial approach has become a model for younger players.
Tennis and Combat Sports Show a New Wave of Investment
Serena Williams has built one of the most successful athlete-backed venture capital firms. Serena Ventures focuses on early-stage companies, many led by women and minority founders. Her investments range across fashion, health, and technology. Her strategy highlights how athletes can use their financial power to support social impact and innovation.
In the world of combat sports, Conor McGregor has turned his brand into a powerhouse through Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey. He sold the majority stake for a massive profit, showing how athletes can take a single product and build an international business.
Floyd Mayweather has invested heavily in real estate and entertainment. His interest in consistent income properties rather than high-risk ventures reflects a strategy built on financial security after retirement.
Why Athletes Are Investing More Than Ever
There are several reasons why athletes are increasingly drawn to business. First, sports careers are unpredictable. Injuries, trades, and performance slumps can dramatically change an athlete’s earning potential. Investments offer stability that a playing career alone cannot guarantee.
Second, modern athletes have larger platforms. Social media allows them to market products directly to millions of followers, giving them built-in audiences that most entrepreneurs can only dream of.
Third, ownership provides long-term power. Players today want influence in the industries connected to their passion. When stars invest in teams, leagues, or businesses within the sports ecosystem, they create opportunities that last beyond retirement.
Lastly, younger athletes are being educated earlier. Many leagues and players’ associations offer financial literacy programs. Athletes now understand the importance of budgeting, investing, and building multiple income streams.
Investment strategies used by professional athletes have grown more sophisticated over the years. What once seemed like a luxury has now become a necessity, especially for players looking to remain financially secure after their athletic careers end. Whether it is LeBron James building a business empire, Serena Williams investing in innovative companies, or Patrick Mahomes acquiring sports franchise stakes, today’s athletes are proving that smart investments can rival the success they achieve in competition.
Their stories offer lessons for anyone. Diversify your portfolio. Invest in what you know. Build a brand that reflects your values. Plan for the long term, not the moment.
Modern athletes are not just stars on the field. They are becoming some of the most influential business builders in the world, showing that financial success can continue long after the final whistle.