How the 12 richest NFL players alive made their money

8. Drew Brees

With a net worth of $160 million, Drew Brees makes the list of the NFL’s richest players, having shown a perfect mix between business assets and career earnings. With a $50 million contract inked with the New Orleans Saints in 2012 marking a significant turning point, his overall career earnings amount to $269 million.

A shoulder injury almost ended his career prematurely, but over his 15 years with the Saints, he made $220 million in compensation and built a financial basis from his consistent success.

Brees has also been quite active in sponsorships; his partnerships with Nike, Pepsi, and Verizon span his whole career, and his long-term contract with the painkiller brand Advil targets his “tough guy” image, thereby generating a special brand synergy.

The modus operandi through which Brees organises his business follows a diversified approach. Combining sports-themed eating with regional culture, the Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux network of restaurants he co-founded has grown to comprise more than 60 outlets, thereby developing an iconic brand in the Southern dining scene.

He also owns franchise rights for Dunkin’ coffee, Jimmy John’s sandwich chain, and Title Boxing Club, thereby creating an investing matrix of “consumption + health.”

The focus of his private equity company, Junction Investments, is literally the junction of technology and sports, as an early 2020 investment in the payment company Shift4 Payments yielded notable gains following its IPO.

Although he had made a dubious investment in a scam loan organisation, a quick exit enabled him to avoid both money and reputation damages. Through the “Brice Dream Foundation,” Brice additionally offers charitable contributions to promote social concerns while besting asset allocation via tax planning.