For the majority of the 2010s, one of the fiercest rivalries in the NFL was the one between Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady. As two of the premier quarterbacks of a generation, they were in a constant battle to surpass each other. Brady, thanks to innumerable statistics and playoff success, surpassed the Green Bay Packers legend.

But Rodgers is no slouch in any regard, even surpassing the GOAT in total MVPs. However, today we’re taking a look at the financial aspects of two quarterbacks who suited up in the NFL for over two decades.

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How Tom Brady Built His $450 Million Fortune

Over a career that stretched for more than two decades, Brady solidified himself as the game’s greatest ever by virtually every imaginable metric. And he did it while earning a sweet amount for his contributions.

Starting as a sixth-round pick in New England, the three-time MVP was only making $288,833 per year on his rookie deal. But in the coming years, he would sign 12 different contracts, including extensions and restructures, that earned him somewhere between $7 and $25 million, on average.

Even though he became widely famous for making sacrifices to his pockets to ensure a quality roster, it didn’t dampen the amount he ultimately ended up making. Projected to have a net worth between $300 to $450 million, he is comfortably among the richest athletes in the world.

However, it wasn’t just on the field that Brady made his living and amassed a fortune. Thanks to his position as the face of the league for close to two decades, Brady was an extremely popular name for brands and advertisements.

The quarterback’s marketability extended far beyond his playing days, making him one of the most recognizable faces in American sports.

Those deals have continued even after his retirement as he remains one of the biggest household names in the country. Through endorsements, he’s added at least $150 million, with brands like Under Armour, Ugg, Aston Martin, T-Mobile, Subway, and Fanatics.

His ability to connect with fans across different demographics made him invaluable to advertisers looking to reach mainstream audiences.

Additionally, he’s also launched brands like TB12 and Brady while co-founding Autograph. But the biggest slice of his deal is going to come through his deal as a broadcaster for FOX. Joining their team, the official terms of the contract are a massive 10 years and $375 million.

 

In addition to his deal with FOX, Brady hasn’t left the sports world behind. He’s made investments in clubs like Birmingham City for soccer, while also partnering up with the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA and the Las Vegas Night Owls in Major League Pickleball.

These strategic investments show Brady’s understanding of the growing sports entertainment market beyond traditional football.

Add in the role as a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, and it isn’t hard to see how the five-time Super Bowl MVP has cemented himself at the top of the mountain. His diverse portfolio spans multiple sports and entertainment ventures, creating multiple revenue streams that will continue generating income for years to come.

Why Aaron Rodgers Leads the NFL in Career Earnings

Unlike Brady, Rodgers wasn’t in the business of taking major discounts. Instead, he stands, to this day, as the highest-paid player in NFL history, with over $380 million to his name. That is almost $50 million clear of the seven-time Super Bowl champion’s total.

But it isn’t just his illustrious career that has made Rodgers so successful. Like Brady, his stature in the sports world has turned him into a bona fide celebrity, attracting various brand endorsements.

His annual salary has reached as high as $11 million over the years. The quarterback’s unique personality and outspoken nature have made him a compelling figure for brands looking to make a statement.

The list of brands under his portfolio includes State Farm, Adidas, Pizza Hut, TaylorMade Golf, Prevea Healthcare, Bergstrom Automotive, Sharpie, and IZOD.

In particular, his deal with State Farm was one of the most lucrative in sports history, earning the four-time MVP almost $3 million a year. The insurance company’s commercials featuring Rodgers became cultural phenomena, with his “discount double-check” celebration becoming iconic.

Beyond the brand endorsements, the former Super Bowl champion has also made it a point to increase his value through savvy investments, most notably as a minority owner of the Milwaukee Bucks. This investment has proven particularly valuable as the Bucks won the NBA championship in 2021, significantly increasing the franchise’s value.

In 2019, Rodgers even launched his venture capital firm, RX3, with a $50 million fund. RX3 has invested in Full Swing, Therabody, Manscaped, Tocaya, Hydrow, Super Coffee, Hydrant, Victor, Mavis, Mack Weldon, Nom Nom, and HIMS, among others.

His investment strategy focuses on health, wellness, and lifestyle brands that align with his personal interests and values.

As it currently stands, it is hard to see Rodgers passing Brady in net worth soon. However, if his dreams of becoming vice president of the country see the light of day, then maybe the four-time MVP can surpass the GOAT of the sport at some point in time.

The quarterback’s political aspirations and continued media presence suggest his earning potential extends well beyond his playing career.