Athletes Who Spend Outrageous Amounts Of Money On The Most Ridiculous Things
Having access to a tremendous amount of money can be dangerous for some people. When star athletes make it to the big leagues, many of them make lavish purchases. Even when they've made it for a few years and get to sign a huge contract, they'll usually be inclined to splurge. Although some know how to maintain their savings and can make whatever purchases they wish, don't even get us started on what certain retired players do with their money. Here are some athletes that spend their fortunes on ridiculous things!
Tom Brady And His Luxury G550
As sensational as Tom Brady is, he's earned the ability to splurge. No matter if that means spending $50 million on a luxurious Gulfstream G550. His $25 million annual salary helps him be able to purchase things of this nature.
Now, Brady can take his beautiful wife Gisele Bündchen wherever she wants -- in style and in a hurry. As long as he's not practicing or preparing to win another Super Bowl, the airways are ready for Brady.
Antonio Garay Bought What?!
When you see the biggest men on the football field, they may strike you as highly intimidating. While that can be true, deep down, some of them are as loving as any person you know.
Take Antonio Garay for instance. His wacky hairstyles are one thing, but when he spent $22.7 thousand on a custom Hello Kitty Smart Car Fortwo, that's when you should have known he was a softie. These cars, without any added modification, can go for as low as $12,000.
Tyson And Tigers
Have you ever heard of a car salesman who was capable of obtaining white Bengal tigers? We hadn't either, but when Mike Tyson was in jail, he called his car dealer up and asked for some tigers. Tyson had a desire to own supercars and large cats.
The car man secured three white Bengal tigers that cost $70,000 and another $4,000 a month to maintain. Thanks to going bankrupt, the championship boxer had to relinquish the felines in 2003. It’s still a mystery where they are now.
Floyd Mayweather Loves Spending
53-0 champion boxer Floyd Mayweather was in an on-again-off-again relationship with Shantel Jackson. If you're familiar with Mayweather, then you know he doesn't mind spending a few million in a matter of moments.
When the pair became engaged, he gave her a $10 million engagement ring. Sadly, they broke up shortly after he made the purchase. It's unclear if she returned it, but with a net worth as high as Mayweather's we're sure he didn't mind too much one way or another.
Big Bucks Spent On A Hummer
The former New York Yankee Alfonso Soriano had a 2005 model Hummer H2 that he absolutely adored. He purchased it new for $50,000. After that, he took things to a new level with customizations.
After four years of work, he ended up spending $100,000 to give it a complete makeover. It got to the point that you could literally spot Soriano from a mile away. He just might've been the one who invented that expression.
Johnson Really Wanted A Semi-Truck
Chad Johnson was one of the better wide receivers in the NFL during his prime. In 2011, during his last season, he purchased a semi-truck. Even if it's a bit head-scratching, there's no harm in that purchase.
The vehicle was no less than $100 thousand, but then you have to toss in the expenses of tricking it out. Johnson had his name put on the side, which we're sure cost him a pretty penny. For his sake, let's hope it kept some of its value.
The Man Loves Shoes
"Iso" Joe Johnson loves shoes. You probably have friends who say they're sneakerheads, and they probably are. But none of them compare to Johnson. There probably isn't anyone alive who has dedicated as much time to sneakers as Johnson.
He has more than one thousand pairs, and they're seriously taken care of. The hooper puts them in a closet that can fit about seven people. There's a bed, mirrors on the ceiling, TV, and a basketball hoop. You also have to use a fingerprint ID to gain access.
Iverson Loved Jewelry!
Usually, the adornment of jewelry rests solely in the hands of music artists. Allen Iverson was that at one point, but at the end of the day, he was a basketball player. At one point, Iverson was really short on money, primarily because he tried to live like he was still in the NBA after he was out.
When he played overseas, he made around $60,000 a month, but his expenses were $350,000. Iverson was still buying a lot of jewelry during this time and at one point, was forced to cough up $900,000 in court for the unpaid expenses.
Smile For The Camera
In 2009, some reports said that former Titans running back Chris Johnson missed the team bus to the game because he ran back to his hotel. The reason? He forgot his gold dentures. Maybe he couldn't do well without them?
Thank goodness he doesn't have to worry about doing that anymore because he got gold implanted teeth! Estimates total up to $8.1 thousand for the six teeth. That's an expensive set of teeth he had in his mouth. We hope he never gets them knocked out!
Holyfield Blew Some Major Money For This!
Evander Holyfield didn't get a portion of his ear bitten off for no reason! During his boxing career, Holyfield earned $250 million. When he bought this mega-mansion for $14 million in Fayette County, Georgia, it was one of his biggest mistakes.
He had 235 acres of farm property to himself, so you can imagine how hard it was to maintain that much. In 2012, he got evicted, despite the thousands he spent trying to keep it.
Scottie And His Jet
Many have probably caught wind of this story, but we have to tell it once again. 2002 wasn't a great year for Scottie Pippen. The NBA champion wanted something luxurious, so he purchased a $4.3 million Gulfstream private plane.
He didn't know this plane needed work done on it before he could use it. The repairs it needed would've cost him one million dollars! As a result, the aircraft was on land for years, and Pippen sued his lawyer who didn't attend the inspection. Luckily, he won that case and was awarded $2 million.
Vick Just Wanted A Nice Pond
At one point in his life, Michael Vick wanted a fish pond at his home. The pond would cost him $85,000 to have it customized and installed, but that wasn't the end of it.
Vick also spent $48,000 on landscaping. The issue was that he was going through tough financial times at that point in his life, but he was still spending at an alarming rate. He blew through $3.5 million in six months.
One Bed, One Man, One Mega Check
Al Jefferson is a big man. He's no longer in the NBA, which probably makes him the biggest guy in the Chinese league. Now you get it, he's one large individual, which is probably why he spent $23,000 on a bed.
The dimensions of the bed were insane. It was ten by twelve feet! If you ask someone who lives in the Bay area, they will tell you that there are apartments smaller than that.
Vince Young Really Needed To Fly!
Before the start of the 2012 NFL season, the Buffalo Bills decided to release the former college star, Vince Young. Sadly, he had money problems because he would spend it in strange ways.
One example of this is when he wanted a "quiet, stress-free flight." Young decided to buy 120 of the 130 total seats available on a Southwest flight. It wasn't a private flight at all and ended up costing him at least $22,000.
Kyrie Irving Following In Iverson's Footsteps?
Kyrie Irving is an all-world talent. He helped LeBron James secure an NBA title for the Cleveland Cavaliers in what was one of the most exceptional performances we've seen from a duo on the court. He's earned his way to a fat paycheck.
With those checks, he likes to spend a large amount of it on jewelry. Reports are that his jewelry collection is worth at least one million dollars now. With all of his business ventures, you can expect that number to grow.
Anyone Want A Segway?
When Arian Foster was still in the NFL, he made a pretty questionable investment. In March 2012, Foster signed a healthy contract extension that made him $43.5 million richer. His first thought: buy ten Segways.
He gave them all to the offensive linemen as a token of his appreciation for blocking guys so well for him. They were top-class Segways that cost him a little under $7 thousand each! The thing is, they could only carry up to 270 pounds, and these linemen weighed at least 300!
Shaq Bought A Load Of Shoes
As physically large as Shaquille O'Neal has been his entire life, he knows what it's like to struggle to find clothing that fits. The NBA icon wears an insane shoe size, and in 2019, he helped a young man with the same issue.
Zack Kieth couldn't buy shoes for himself due to wearing a size 18. O'Neal found out via social media and bought the young man ten pairs. That would come out to a little under $1,000 that he spent.
The Posh Mansion Woods Purchased
Tiger Woods was the most prolific golfer on the face of this planet. He won many tournaments and earned a ridiculous amount of sponsor money. With those funds, Woods decided to buy the priciest home an athlete could have.
Woods purchased a Jupiter Island, Florida mansion that sits on two waterfronts. It cost him $40 million, but after adding on to it, the total was around $60 million. He has four gold greens, a 6,400 square-foot gym, and an oxygen therapy room.
Messi Bought The Neighbors
Lionel Messi has a boatload of cash thanks to being a top-three soccer player in the world. Reports are that if any team wanted to buy him out, he's worth $340 million alone — a man this important can't have bothersome neighbors.
One time, Messi found his neighbors to be too much trouble, claiming they disturbed him and his family. What he did was buy out their house and made it an extension of his million-dollar estate.
Michael Jordan Soars Through The Sky
It must be a g.o.a.t thing. Tom Brady has a precious jet, and so does His Airness, Michael Jordan. When you're a billionaire sports icon, you can spend (or waste) your riches however you wish.
Jordan purchased a customized "MJ-G550" for a whopping $30 million. He had his logo placed on the aircraft, and in 2017, he gave it a complete color change to an elephant print motif. The legend continues to fly with style, years after retirement.
Darius Miles Wanted Some Obscure Art
Once upon a time, not too long ago, Darius Miles was a pretty good basketball player. He once put 30-inch wheels on his car, but that doesn't compare to his wildest purchase.
Miles had the $100 bill Benjamin Franklin painted on the side of his vehicle's hood. That already sounds wild, but the craziest part was what Franklin had in his mouth. He made Franklin have a lit joint, which was very controversial at the time.
Arenas Had A Shark Budget
The former NBA All-Star, Gilbert Arenas was a funny individual. Now that he's out the league, he's showcasing his humorous side on social media, but something insane that he did while in the NBA was get a shark budget.
Documents from a settlement from his ex-girlfriend, the ridiculous things Arenas spent his money on came into the light. Arenas had a $6,500 monthly shark budget. He spent $5,000 on the food and an additional $1,500 on the keeper.
Aaron Rodgers Loves Sports
Super Bowl champion Aaron Rodgers isn't only a fan of the NFL, but he loves competition overall. He was a huge fan of Kobe Bryant, the former Los Angeles Laker. Bryant's final season was in 2016, and his last game brought out all of the stars.
Rodgers had to be there. It was Bryant's last time lacing up his kicks, so it was an epic moment. The quarterback showed up and sat courtside, a ticket that cost over $11,000 according to SeatGeek. That's some kid's tuition.
She Might As Well Be A Property Manager
Tennis superstar Serena Williams' guilty pleasure when it comes to spending isn't something you'd usually expect to see or hear. She isn't treating herself to special new rackets or candy, but instead, she buys property.
When Maverick Carter asked her how much she owned, her response was, "I don't know, a lot." She has properties in Paris, Manhattan, West Palm Beach, and many other luxurious destinations. She even regrets when she sells them.
Taming A Gator
Former defensive player Darnell Dockett likes to play with danger, it seems. While he may be a pretty large guy, there are some things or animals you don't mess with unless trained.
Not long ago, the player tweeted, "I'm out here messing with these gators in everglades!" Then he said one of them almost bit him! Still, this wasn't enough to prevent him from spending $500 on a baby alligator that he would end up naming Nino.
Marquis Daniels Invests In Himself...
Former NBA player Marquis Daniels might've taken the term "invest in yourself" a little too far with this one. He ordered a piece of jewelry in the shape of his head.
The jeweler went to extra lengths by mapping out the dimensions of the basketball player's head using 3D laser technology. The final cost of this pendant is unknown, but the necklace is 1,300 grams of 14-karat gold. You can do the math and know that it's not cheap.
Risky Business For Owens
Terrell Owens made a fortune but lost way faster than he made it. He would learn from his mistakes, but not before he made an unpredictable investment in a bingo hall and entertainment complex.
The NFL policy said that players couldn't spend their money on entities like that, but Owens spent $2 million of his money anyway. To add insult to injury, the electronic bingo devices were illegal in Alabama. Owens would sue the attorney that encouraged him to make the investment.
Granger Built A Batcave
There are millions of ways to blow through your money. We'd never imagine that building a Batcave would be one of them. Former Indiana Pacer All-Star, Danny Granger, put together a Batcave at his house.
"I was telling my fiancee I wanted to have — once again with the superhero thing — you know how Batman drives into a hidden cave? I'm serious. [The Superhero stuff] is just a big thing I've been a part of. I love Superman, love Batman. It's just the way I've been always," Granger said.
Shaq Loves Superman
Shaquille O'Neal has a ton of money. He's a savvy investor, and he made a boatload while in the NBA. That gives him a little freedom to spend his cash on unnecessary things like customized Superman luxury items.
The total amount he shelled out for this isn't public knowledge, but rumors are that he spent $15,000 on the bed alone. The custom SUV set him back around $45,000 as well. You don't come between a man and his love for Superman.
One Expensive Bathtub
Mike Tyson has a reputation for being wild. The legends of Tyson range from biting an opponent's ear (which is true) to buying Bengal tigers (also true). Something he wasted big cash on was a bathtub.
Out of all the blown money he's thrown out the window, we can't imagine that he'd want anything back faster than the $2 million he spent on his ex-wife Robin Givens. That all went towards a bathtub for her.
J.R. Smith Lashes Out
At one point, NBA player J.R. Smith purchased a Jesus pendant that put him $50,000 in debt with the jewelry company. They brought him to court because he wasn't paying the balance, which is odd because his NBA salary was pretty high.
He had to pay up $48,000, but not long after that, he purchased the armored truck from Fast Five. That cost Smith around $450,000! He had the money; he was only saving it for the vehicle.
Rodgers Like Buying Expensive Gifts
Aaron Rodgers makes the list again, but this time it's for purchases he made for others. Yes, he's one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL, and he still gets sponsorships. You still have to be somewhat responsible, but we trust Rodgers.
In 2017, Rodgers decided to gift each offensive lineman with an ATV! They protect the quarterback as best as they can, so its the least he could do. It only cost him $20,000 for each one, no big deal.
A Hardy Statue
Professional wrestler Matt Hardy gets his fame from the notorious Hardy Boyz. Wrestlers spend their money differently than other athletes, so keep that in mind. Matt Hardy took a step further from Marquise Daniels and got a statue of his head made.
He admires himself so much that he got the bust put in his home. There's no word on how much the thing cost, but it couldn't have been cheap. He has wrestling money, so he had enough.
Nelson Cruz Wanted To Cruise
We've heard of people buying the same model cars that police officers drive and making them look like cop cars. We haven't heard of anyone purchasing a fire truck for their hometown!
While the gift may be kind, it's also unusual. In 2012, baseball player Nelson Cruz said his hometown lacked any fire trucks and ambulances. Cruz felt that since he had the means to help, he would contribute to his community. The deed inspired American Medical Response to donate some ambulances as well.
Roger Staubach - $600 Million
Financially, Roger Staubach has had more success off the NFL field than on it. A Hall of Famer and Dallas Cowboys legend, Staubach played in Dallas from 1969 until 1979, an era when salaries weren't as exaggerated as they are today.
A savvy businessman, Staubach grew a real estate empire that has earned him his epic net worth. As he once explained, "I couldn't have retired at my age and just played golf. First of all, they didn't pay quarterbacks what they do today. And I was 37 with three kids. I kept thinking about [what would happen] if some linebacker takes off my head and I can't play anymore."
Peyton Manning - $250 Million
During his career with the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos, Peyton Manning started four Super Bowls, winning two. In one season he threw 55 touchdowns passes, a single-season NFL record.
Thanks to his accomplishments on the field, the era he played during, and his glut of endorsement deals off the field, Manning is worth a reported $250 million. And while pressure mounts on him to join a broadcasting crew in the booth, the QB seems content to take things easy in retirement.
Tom Brady - $200 Million
Arguably the greatest QB to ever play in the NFL, Tom Brady continues to make waves on the field well into his 40s. Amazingly, if Brady had been a little more selfish during his time in New England, his net worth might be more than $200 million.
Brady famously signed contracts as a Patriot that undervalued him so the team could keep certain other skill players around. The strategy netted Brady seven Super Bowl championships and multiple lucrative endorsement deals.
Steve Young - $200 Million
When Steve Young succeeded Joe Montana in San Francisco, few could have predicted he would throw a record six touchdowns in one Super Bowl. Young's NFL career was short-lived, though, as he was forced to retire in 1999 after several concussions.
Off the field, Young has not only became a vital on-air personality for ESPN, he has also been a highly successful businessman. In 2007, he co-founded Huntsman Gay Global Capital, a venture that has helped skyrocket his net worth to $200 million.
Drew Brees - $160 Million
Like Tom Brady, Drew Brees played in the NFL at an elite level well into his 40s. A legend as a Saint, Brees has been in the Big Easy for so long it's easy to forget he was originally drafted by the Chargers.
Brees is worth a reported $160 million and was invaluable in New Orleans. He even brought the city together after Hurricane Katrina by winning the team's first Super Bowl.
Eli Manning - $150 Million
Eli Manning has one of the more complicated legacies of the players you will find on this list. The franchise QB for the New York Giants, Manning beat Tom Brady twice in Super Bowls and earned millions during his career.
Despite his accomplishments, there are still questions about how good of a QB Manning really was. Love him or hate him, his success in the Super Bowl, and a few pricey endorsement deals, secured his estimated $150 million net worth.
John Elway - $145 Million
John Elway spent his entire 16-year career with the Denver Broncos. During his run as the team's starting QB, he started five Super Bowls, winning back-to-back championships before retiring. Since then, his net worth has ballooned to $145 million.
Try as he might, Elway couldn't stay away from the game, and after several successful ventures were in the books, he joined the Broncos' front off as team president, a position he has used to win a third Super Bowl championship.
Russell Wilson - $135 Million
Russell Wilson is one of the NFL's highest-paid QBs, earning roughly $35 million a season to play for the Seattle Seahawks. Worth every penny, Wilson rarely misses the playoffs and has won the Super Bowl once.
Off the field, Wilson has become his own brand. Add that revenue in with his mega endorsement deals with major food and clothing companies and it's not hard to see how this superstar has a super large net worth!
Aaron Rodgers - $120 Million
The face of the Green Bay Packers for over a decade, Aaron Rodgers is worth a reported $120 million. With one Super Bowl championship and two NFL MVP awards to his name, Rodgers earns every penny of his lofty salary.
Helping boost his net worth off the field is his sponsorship with State Farm Insurance. How many times a day do you see him during a commercial break interacting with Jake?
Brett Favre - $100 Million
Now that we've talked about his successor, let's break down Brett Favre's net worth. Considered one of the greatest QBs of all-time, Favre played in the NFL for 20 years for the Falcons, Packers, Jets, and Vikings.
When he retired, Favre was the NFL's all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns. His long career, and endorsement deals with Wrangler Jeans and Copper Fit, have helped the Hall of Famer earn an estimated net worth of $100 million.
Joe Montana - $100 Million
The winner of four Super Bowls during his legendary tenure with the San Francisco 49ers, Joe Montana is worth a reported $100 million. Like Staubach, much of Montana's wealth came after he retired.
Montana has his own successful wine label and listed his massive estate in 2009 for $49 million, a fitting number all things considered. Montana, unlike Steve Young, has mostly stayed out of the public eye since leaving the world of professional sports behind.
Ben Roethlisberger - $100 Million
Over the last two decades, Ben Roethlisberger has been nothing short of sensational for the Pittsburgh Steelers. When he's been healthy, the team has been a perennial Super Bowl contender. And when he's been hurt, it's been the opposite story.
His long career has led to a healthy bank account, along with a bloated net worth of $100 million. With a few years left in his tank, we expect that lofty number to keep growing, too.
Fran Tarkenton - $100 Million
Fran Tarkenton built his $100 million net worth on a media career and business acumen that served him well after his 18 year NFL career. For a brief period, Tarkenton worked as a color analyst for Monday Night Football.
He also was the founder of Tarkenton Software, a company specializing in generating computer programs. Not one to settle for one business, the Minnesota legend also owns $40 million worth of stocks in Apple Computers.
Joe Flacco - $75 Million
You might be surprised to see Joe Flacco on this list, but he's earned his place. After winning the Super Bowl in 2013 and going on a historic postseason run, Baltimore rewarded him with the richest contract in NFL history.
Flacco didn't exactly live up to the contract, but that didn't stop his net worth from climbing. After burning through his goodwill in Baltimore, Flacco became a Bronco. In 2020, he signed a deal to play for the New York Jets.
Cam Newton - $75 Million
Cam Newton became a superstar with the Carolina Panthers, winning one NFL MVP and appearing in the Super Bowl once. If it wasn't for a shoulder injury, the uber-talented Newton may have been high on this list.
Still one of the most exciting players in the league, Newton isn't as explosive as he used to be, but he's proven to be a valuable player for the New England Patriots. With his salary and endorsements added together, Newton is worth an estimated $75 million.
Tony Romo - $70 Million
Tony Romo had a successful, if injury-plagued, career in the NFL as the starting QB for the Dallas Cowboys. Immediately after retiring, Romo was hired by CBS to be the network's top NFL analyst.
Romo is now known as one of the best analysts in the industry and has used his media career to gain multi-million dollar endorsement deals. Today, it's estimated that he is worth about $70 million.
Matt Ryan - $70 MIllion
Taken by the Atlanta Falcons with the 3rd overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, Matt Ryan has been the team's franchise QB ever since. He has reached one Super Bowl and been named the NFL MVP once.
For all his accomplishments, Ryan has been well-paid by the Falcons. In 2018, he became the first player in NFL history to have a $30 million a year salary after signing a massive extension.
Kirk Cousins - $70 Million
Kirk Cousins was the first player in NFL history to sign a fully guaranteed contract when he left the Washington Football Team for the Minnesota Vikings. A few years into his deal, the Vikings extended his contract, showing their commitment to Cousins as their franchise player.
With a reported net worth of $70 million, Cousins is one of the wealthiest players in the NFL. Still young, we expect his worth to rise as long as he continues to play at a near-elite level.
Patrick Mahomes - $30 Million
After signing a mind-boggling 10-year contract extension worth more than $400 million with the Kansas City Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes' $30 million net worth totally blew. The young star already has won a Super Bowl and league MVP.
An endorsement deal with State Farm has helped increase Mahomes' net worth, as well another high profile investment. Shortly after signing his massive extension, the QB bought an ownership piece of the Kansas City Royals.
Terry Bradshaw- $25 Million
Terry Bradshaw won four Super Bowls during his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Matching Joe Montana with big game wins hasn't meant the same for his net worth, though. A stable career on television as a Fox analyst has helped Bradshaw's net worth rise to $25 million.
Just being an analyst isn't enough for Bradshaw, who also has a reality show following his life with his daughters, which airs on E!
