Wealth has a way of slipping away as fast as it comes. However, Warrick Dunn, the former NFL star who played with the Bucs and Falcons, stands out from the rest. He not only became a minority owner of the team that he once played for but also quintupled his investment in the unit, in 27 years after signing his $7,500,000 rookie deal.
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Back in 2008, Warrick signed his final NFL contract as a player, a 2-year $6 million deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, including $2,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $3,000,000. Before that, he had signed a 3 year, $12,450,000 contract with the Atlanta Falcons, including a $2,500,000 signing bonus, and an average annual salary of $4,150,000. And before all this, he had agreed to a $7.5 million, 5-year rookie deal with the Bucs in 1997. Overall, the star player is estimated to have amassed around $36 million in his 12-year NFL career.
After playing college football at Florida State, Warrick joined the Bucs in 1997, and then the Atlanta Falcons in 2001. Dunn’s talent and hard work had earned him a lucrative contract, making him the highest-paid running back. Throughout his NFL career, Dunn accumulated $36 million in earnings. However, after accounting for taxes and expenses, his net worth stood at approximately $11 million.
Recognizing the importance of managing his finances wisely, Dunn made a life-changing move after retiring in 2009. As reported by Andrew Petcash on Twitter, Warrick invested a significant portion of his wealth by purchasing a minority stake in the Atlanta Falcons, costing around $9 million for a 1% ownership share.
An all-pro running back made $36 million during his 12 years in the NFL.
1 year after retiring, he bought the team he played for (and it’s turning into millions).
Here’s the fascinating story: pic.twitter.com/ERrIbKnpgy
— Andrew Petcash (@AndrewPetcash) January 11, 2023
Dunn’s investment in the Falcons has been a remarkable success story. The value of the Atlanta Falcons has seen a tremendous increase over the years which has massively benefitted Dunn. In 2009, the team was valued at $856 million, surging to an astonishing $4 billion in 2022. As a result, Dunn’s investment has grown at least 500%, turning his initial $9 million into $50 million.
From Riches to Rags: NFL Stars Who Made Poor Financial Decisions
While Warrick’s tale is a tale of success, several NFL stars ended up burning their wealth once their sporting careers ended. One such story is of Andre Rison, who lost nearly $19 million because of his spendthrift nature and extremely poor investments. Another one in line is Clinton Portis who lost about $5 million, trusting the wrong people and avenues. Jeff Rubin and Jinesh Brahmbhatt, investment advisors registered with the NFL Players Association, had a hand in bringing Portis’ financial doom.
On the other hand, Warrick Dunn made the right decisions at the right time. The fivefold growth in his investment speaks volumes of the financial game he aces. Not only this, his philanthropic efforts also deserve praise, as he has built 170 homes to help the needy.
