George Foreman
Forget the Thrilla in Manilla, the former Heavyweight Champion of the World made the most of his money selling Lean, Mean Grilling Machines — raising the bar for celebrity-backed products the world over
Oscar De La Hoya
A retired professional boxer who has won 10 world titles in six different weight classes, De La Hoya started Golden Boy Promotions in 2002, now one of boxing’s most active promoters
Michael Jordan
Along with his game-changing endorsement deals, the best basketball player ever (sorry, LeBron James) is still in the game as owner of the Charlotte Hornets. Now 52, Jordan claims he can still beat all of his players 1-on-1. Either way, he owns them
Venus Williams
The world famous tennis player was the first black American woman to become No.1. Although she is now No. 11, she became an interior designer in 2002 and founded V*Starr Interior, as well as designing fitness wear called EleVen
Serena Williams
Venus’ sister is currently ranked the No. 1 tennis player in the world, but that’s not enough for her: She has developed a fashion/jewelry line, and is part owner of the Miami Dolphins with her sister Venus
Tony Hawk
The greatest skateboarder of all time recognized that he wasn’t going to be the top-ranked one when middle-aged. Hawk wisely turned his name and knowledge into even more dollar signs by starting skating-inspired apparel company, Birdhouse
John Elway
Elway was a Super Bowl-winning QB for the Denver Broncos, where he now serves as General Manager and Executive Vice President of Football Operations. He also owns car dealerships, a steakhouse and an arena football team
Dave Bing
This retired Hall of Fame basketball player went on to found Bing Steel, a processing company that earned him the National Minority Small Business Person of the Year award in 1984
Roger Staubach
The Hall-of-Fame Dallas Cowboys QB has been raking in the Texas dough another way since retirement: real estate. His Staubach Co. was purchased in 2008 for $640 million
Vinnie Johnson
Nicknamed “The Microwave,” Johnson founded the auto supply company Piston Automotive in 1995
Cal Ripken Jr.
Known as the “Iron Man,” Ripken played for the Baltimore Orioles and later bought three minor league teams
Chris Webber
Webber owns an investment firm, restaurants and real estate. Not bad for a five-time NBA All-Star
Wayne Gretzky
“The Great One” proved that he is as adept in the food and beverage industry as he was on the NHL ice. Gretzky is a successful restauranteur and winery owner
Magic Johnson
Earvin Johnson was “Magic” on the court — and he still is in the boardroom. He now owns a movie theater chain and stake in a sports team ownership group. The Dodgers part-owner is currently trying to bring an NFL team back to Los Angeles
Maria Sharapova
The tennis beauty probably doesn’t eat a ton of candy, but she sure sells it. Sharapova owns Sugarpova, which sells “premium gummy candies.” Yes, there are adorable edible mini-tennis balls
Peyton Manning
You know all of those annoying Papa Johns commercials that the Peyton Manning salvages? There’s a reason for those — the Denver Broncos quarterback actually owns 21 of the franchise’s pizza shops
Shaquille O’Neal: (This basketball all-star owns a number of diverse businesses, ranging from gyms to burger franchises to a car wash and even a night club.
Lenny Dykstra
He started a high-end jet charter company and magazine for professional athletes called the “Player’s Club,” and also owned a chain of car washes. Unfortunately, Dykstra was charged with credit card fraud, embezzlement, obstruction of justice, filed for bankruptcy and now a convicted felon
LeBron James
In addition to dabbling in acting – he stars as himself in “Trainwreck” – James is part owner of a soccer team
Arnold Palmer
Aside from the half-iced tea/half lemonade concoction named after him, one of the best and most-beloved golfers of all-time parlayed his name and talents to golf course design. Palmer also dabbles in hotels
Dhani Jones
Former linebacker for the Giants, Eagles, Saints and Bengals, Jones started the BowTie foundation, which strives to “foster the personal development of the underdeveloped youth”
Eddie George
Former running back for the Tennessee Titans, George majored in Landscape Architecture in college, which led to the founding of his company, EDGE
Rick Mirer
Mirer played for the Seattle Seahawks, the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions, and now co-owns a Napa winery called Mirror Wine Company
