Here's What 10 of the World's Wealthiest Athletes Have Been Splurging on and Investing in

How wealthy athletes like to splurge

Celebrity athletes lead extraordinary lives, indulging in typical luxuries like cars and mansions, but what sets some of them apart is their commitment to philanthropy. These sports stars often contribute to charitable causes, establish foundations, and raise awareness for various issues. With a remarkable balance between enjoying their fortune and making a positive impact on society, these athletes utilize their fame and fortune to create meaningful change in the world. Here's a look at how some celebrity athletes spend their money.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

In an interview, Cristiano Ronaldo shared details about his $40 million collaboration with Portugal’s Pestana hotels. Subsequently, he inaugurated two hotels in Portugal, one in Lisbon and the other in his hometown of Madeira. The athlete's business ventures include CR7 Denim, a jeans company, and a joint venture with Denali for CR7 Blanket. He collaborated with a British perfume manufacturer for Eden Perfume Cristiano Ronaldo Fragrance, and is one of the stakeholders in Grupo Mabel Capital, which operates the elite Zela restaurant in Ibiza and London. In 2016, he partnered with Crunch Franchise to create CR7 Crunch Fitness, and also owns a private jet rental business and a hair clinic.

2. LeBron James

In 2016, the athlete with a net worth of $500 million and an annual income of $100 million, purchased a $21 million East Coast-style mansion in Brentwood, LA. A year later, he bought a second home in Brentwood for $23 million. In 2020, he invested $36.75 million in a lavish Beverly Hills mansion, previously owned by the creator of "The Young and the Restless."

3. Floyd Mayweather

Floyd Mayweather retired with a perfect 50-0 record after defeating Conor McGregor, surpassing Rocky Marciano's 49-0 record. He is known for flaunting his lavish lifestyle on social media. One of his Instagram posts featured his Bugatti with the caption, "My new 2015 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse $3,498,000," and another showcased his rare supercar, the CCXR Trevita, with the caption, "My new 4.8 Million dollar car. $4,800,000.00 Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita supercar."

4. Caroline Wozniacki

Caroline Wozniacki was once among the highest-earning tennis players, and she is also recognized for her philanthropic initiatives to uplift and empower youth, especially young girls. Serving as an advocate for USANA Health Sciences, she actively initiates the annual "Aces for Humanity" campaign with WTA, delivering essential nutrition to the underprivileged and those in need. In 2015, she posted a photo on Instagram, where she was seen filling a shopping cart with Christmas gifts for homeless children.

5. Ronda Rousey 

In 2016, Ronda Rousey, a prominent UFC fighter, became the third-highest-paid female athlete globally. In an interview, she expressed a desire for something less extravagant such as vertical gardens, describing herself as a woman of simple tastes. She also invested as a co-owner in a nutritional supplement company called Max Effort Muscle. As of now, Rousey has transitioned to professional wrestling with WWE and expanded her career by taking on acting roles in movies and television shows.

6. Tom Brady

For Tom Brady, the saying. "a man’s home is his castle," holds true, since he and his wife, Gisele Bündchen, once owned a lavish Brentwood estate. The property included a koi pond and spanned 4 acres over 18,298 square feet, featuring five bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a gym, a library, and more. In 2020, the couple purchased a $32.5 million Brookline estate outside of Boston. The athlete also owns TB12, a sports nutrition and supplements brand, and the sportswear line, Brady. Moreover, he co-founded two production companies, Religion of Sports and 199 Productions.

7. Rory Mcllroy

With a net worth of $150 million, Irish PGA sensation Rory McIlroy is a connoisseur of the finer things, and often shares glimpses of his lavish lifestyle on Instagram. He owns a private jet, which he uses for most of his travel, and has also invested $210.97 million in the Alpine Formula One team. In 2019, he launched Symphony Ventures, an investment fund, partnering with emerging companies and backing almost 14 enterprises. His other investments include Whoop, valued at $1.2 billion, skyrocketing to $3.6 billion within a year. The athlete also invested in Future, a digital fitness training platform, and LetsGetChecked, a home health check-up company.

8. Serena Williams

With a net worth of $210 million, Serena Williams, the tennis icon, made history alongside her sister Venus by becoming the "first female African-American to hold an ownership stake in an NFL franchise." This groundbreaking move involved their investment in the Miami Dolphins. In 2017, she established Serena Ventures, a fund to invest in transformative business opportunities.

9. Carmelo Anthony

With a net worth of $160 million and an annual pay of $2.3 million, Portland Trail Blazers star Carmelo Anthony ventured into the business world with the ownership of professional soccer club Puerto Rico FC. He is the co-founder of a New York-based venture capital firm specializing in seed, early and later-stage investments. The NBA icon also partnered with Isos7 to start a $750 million private equity fund exclusively dedicated to investing in sports assets.

10. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Boasting a net worth of $190 million and an annual income of $35 million, soccer star Zlatan Ibrahimovic is amongst the richest athletes in the world. In 2015, while with Paris Saint-Germain, he made an $11 million investment, purchasing a four-story church in Sweden. As part of his post-retirement project, the renowned striker plans to transform the sacred structure into an apartment.