These Are The Wealthiest Retired Athletes In The World Today

Newsflash: sports isn’t just fun and games- it’s a business. A staggering $500 billion business, at that. Even with that said, according to CNBC, a sobering 78% of former NFL players actually get into financial trouble after retiring. NBA players don’t fare much better, as an estimated 60% go broke within five years of leaving the league.

Still, there are some who do hang onto their money, and even continue to grow their wealth long after their playing careers have ended. These are the wealthiest retired athletes in the world today…

Shaquille O’Neal

Retired: 2011

Career Earnings: $700 million

Est. Net Worth: $400 million

Easily one of the most famous basketball players of all time, Shaq has had a busy career during retirement. He went back to school and got his bachelor’s degree—majoring in general studies with a political science minor—keeping a promise he made to his mother. He even became a sheriff’s deputy.

Shaq attended the Sheriff’s Reserve Academy and was sworn in as a reserve officer in Miami Beach. In 2016, Shaq moved to Georgia, where he was sworn in as a deputy in the city of Jonesboro. He holds the record in Clayton County, Georgia, for being the tallest deputy ever—Shaq stands at an impressive 7’1”.