How Tom Brady became a millionaire

• Tom Brady is one of the most prominent figures in the NFL
• The 46-year-old is noted for his longevity as he spent 23 seasons in the NFL before ending his career
• He signed a whopping $375 million 10-year contract with Fox Sports to be their main NFL analyst starting this year

Whether you’re a fan of American football or have never heard about the sport, the name Tom Brady must ring a bell. Brady is one of the most popular athletes of his generation and even though he might have retired his jersey, there are plenty of memories that fans have, thanks to his decades-long career.

A legend of the New England Patriots, Brady is widely regarded as the greatest quarterback of all time and one of the most gifted players in the sport. He led Patriots to 17 division titles and six Super Bowl titles among other honours. The 46-year-old is noted for his longevity in the NFL as he spent 23 seasons in the league before ending his career.

Tom Brady. Photo/ Sky Sports.

Now a celebrated icon of American football, Brady is still very much around working as a commentator for the sport he dedicated his life to.

Apart from being a prominent figure in the NFL, another reason why Brady is popular all over the world is because he is one of the richest athletes in the world. According to credible sources on the internet such as Celebrity Net Worth, the American sportsman has built a fortune worth a whopping $300 million. So how did the 46-year-old ex-player become so rich?

In this article we are going to take a look at five ways the ‘GOAT’ of NFL Tom Brady made his millions.

1. NFL 

Well, Tom Brady’s main source of income over the years was playing in the NFL. The football icon spent his 23-year career in the NFL playing for the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

According to Investopedia, he was one of the highest-paid players and earned more than $450 million throughout the years. The veteran, who retired in early 2023, earned $30 million on the field in 2022 alone. He also received $45 million from endorsement deals and his other business ventures.

It is estimated that Brady earned $235 million in salary and bonuses from his years with the Patriots. After leaving the Patriots for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he signed a $50 million contract which also had an additional $15 million.

Tom Brady. Photo/ CNBC.

2. Various Businesses 

Tom Brady is an entrepreneur, and a successful one for that matter. The former Patriots player owns TB12, a sports nutrition and supplements brand “transforming health by empowering people everywhere to do what they love better”.

Brady is also the owner of a sportswear line named after him that sells technical apparel for every activity. He is also the man behind Religion of Sports and 199 Productions, which he founded alongside footballer player turned journalist Michael Strahan.

3. Investment In Sports

The NFL legend has invested his money wisely and owns several sports teams. To start with, Brady purchased stakes in the Las Vegas Raiders, a football team based in the Las Vegas metropolitan area competing in the NFL. He also has shares in other Vegas sports teams such as the WNBA team Las Vegas Aces. He also teamed with former tennis player Kim Clijsters to become founding investors of the Major League pickleball franchise the Las Vegas Night Owls.

Tom Brady’s investment in sports hasn’t only been limited to the United States alone as he is also a minority owner of English soccer club Birmingham City. He is the Chairman of the Advisory Board of the club.

4. Commentator

Tom Brady. Photo/ SportsPro Media.

After announcing his retirement from professional football early last year, Tom Brady joined Fox Sports, with whom he has been working as a commentator. According to reports, he signed a whopping $375 million contract with the media company to be their main NFL analyst starting this year. What a fantastic way to remain connected to something you have been doing all your life!

5. Endorsements 

Tom Brady has been one of the most marketable athletes for many years. As a result, he has signed endorsement deals with various brands over the years, including Subway, Under Armour and Hertz, Molecule Mattresses, Upper Deck, and IWC watches.