Several athletes have become billionaires through salaries, endorsements, investments, and business ventures, with the most famous examples being Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, LeBron James, and Roger Federer. Michael Jordan is considered the first athlete billionaire, achieving billionaire status largely after retirement through Nike Air Jordan royalties, ownership of Charlotte Hornets, and endorsements, with net worth now over 3 billion dollars. Tiger Woods became a billionaire in 2022 due to career prize money, endorsements, and course design business. LeBron James became a billionaire in 2022 while still active, through NBA salary, Nike lifetime deal, SpringHill Company, and investments in Blaze Pizza and Fenway Sports Group. Roger Federer became a billionaire in 2024 through tennis prize money, Rolex, Uniqlo deal, and On Running investment. Other athlete billionaires include Magic Johnson through business investments, Floyd Mayweather through boxing purses, and Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are near billionaire status with career earnings over 1 billion but not yet confirmed billionaires in net worth. According to Forbes, the billionaire athlete list also includes former wrestler Vince McMahon, though more business than athlete now. Female athlete billionaires are rarer, with Serena Williams approaching billionaire status through investments.
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