The NBA is a huge stepping stone for most players in terms of financial security. A roster spot usually means earning millions of dollars for a season or more, which is way more than what the general population earns throughout their lifetime.
While we always hear stories about NBA players who squander their riches until they go broke, there are quite a few who saved their earnings from their time in the league and invested it in businesses after their playing days.
Today, we will name the top 10 NBA players who made it big in life after basketball. In this list, we will rank former players who grew the financial assets they earned after retiring from the league.
10. Jamal Mashburn – Net Worth: $100 million
Mashburn retired from the NBA in 2005 but has opened over 100 businesses since. One of the most business savvy of the bunch, he owns several food chains such as Outback Steakhouse, and Papa John’s and car dealerships throughout the state of Kentucky.
The former one-time All-star has truly enjoyed life after basketball. Today, Mashburn has continued to expand his food chain business across nearby states.
9. Tim Duncan – Net Worth: $130 million
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Even before retiring, The Big Fundamental was already thinking of life after basketball and how to expand his riches.
Duncan opened multiple vehicle customization shops in Texas while he was still playing with the Spurs, which he named Blackjack Speed Shop. He also held minor roles within the Spurs’ organization since his retirement.
8. Yao Ming – Net Worth: $180 million
Yao Ming’s career with Houston was sadly cut short due to injuries in 2011, but he remains relatively rich because of his massive influence in his native China.
He bought a team in CBA, owns a chain of restaurants in China and has invested in several companies there too. Plus, The 7’6″ gentle giant opened up a winery in Napa Valley, California. At still relatively young age of 42, Yao could realistically climb on this list if he decides to expand his business ventures on a global scale.
7. Grant Hill – Net Worth: $250 million
Hill retired in 2014, but the former All-Star continues to add to his net worth through smart investments and numerous deals.
In 2018, the former Duke Blue Devil signed a lifetime contract with Fila for $10 million annually. In addition, he is a part owner of the Atlanta Hawks, which is now valued at nearly $2 billion. He also does part-time analysis on basketball games for big-time sports networks, further adding to his annual earnings.
6. David Robinson – Net Worth: $250 million
As great as The Admiral was on the court, he is also a phenomenal businessman off of it. After retiring in 2003, Robinson went back to school to earn his MBA.
Equipped with the newfound knowledge he obtained after his MBA, Robinson then formed a venture capital firm called Admiral Capital Group. The company has over $1.4 billion in assets and it’s not slowing down anytime soon.
5. Shaquille O'Neal – Net Worth: $400 million
Shaq’s bigger-than-life personality during his time in the league has continued even in retirement. Considered one of the best big men of his generation, Diesel was even more financially successful today compared to his playing days.
He earns more than $60 million a year through endorsements and business ventures. In addition, he earns millions annually as one of the most beloved TV personalities on TNT’s Inside the NBA. Word has it that he’ll venture into food chains as well, further expanding his assets.
4. Kobe Bryant – Net Worth: $600 million
Before Kobe unexpectedly passed away in 2020, he was beginning to scratch the surface of his potential in business. He essentially had a lifetime’s worth of endorsements from multiple well-known brands. Plus, his Nike shoes were selling like crazy to this day.
The Black Mamba launched a capital firm called Bryant-Stibel and began his venture towards the entertainment industry in 2018. If Kobe were still alive today, his net worth would have been around $1 billion dollars.
3. Magic Johnson – Net Worth: $620 million
Johnson “only” earned around $39 million during his playing days with the Lakers but is one of the richest ex-NBA players today. Aside from forming the Magic Johnson Enterprises, Magic earns through a plethora of endorsements, a record label and several investments.
He had a stake in numerous Starbucks franchises and was also part of an ownership group of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Magic is a business mogul and he isn’t stopping anytime soon.
2. Junior Bridgeman – Net Worth: $620 million
It’s not just the popular players who made it big in life after basketball. To be fair, Bridgeman was no slouch on the court as his number 2 jersey is currently hanging at the rafters of the Milwaukee Bucks.
The amazing part of his story is his determination to be successful after playing basketball. Even though he was still playing in the league, he took time in the off-season to study the business model of the popular food chain, Wendy’s.
Eventually, he became the owner of over 100 Wendy’s and Chili’s restaurants before selling them in 2016. He also founded Bridgeman Foods, Inc., and became a bottler for The Coca-Cola Company in 2018.
1. Michael Jordan – Net Worth: $3 billion
When you are the GOAT, the status definitely follows you after retirement. Jordan earns more than $250 million dollars per year from the Jordan Brand, his partnership with Nike. His shoe line is one of the most coveted in the world, earning around $5 billion dollars per year in sales.
In addition, he was the majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets for more than a decade. He recently sold much of his majority stake in the team for around $3 billion dollars in 2023. The sale could push Jordan’s net worth more than $3 billion at the end of this year. He is currently the first former professional athlete to rank among America’s wealthiest individuals.
