Roger Federer Joins Elite Billionaire Circle
The wealth of Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer is estimated to be well over one billion dollars. Long-standing sponsorship deals and, in particular, his role as an investor in the sports shoe manufacturer On have significantly contributed to this fortune.
According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Roger Federer’s net worth is estimated at around $1,3 billion. This makes him one of the very few athletes worldwide to reach this financial league.
The list of the world’s wealthiest athletes is led by basketball superstar Michael Jordan ($3,5 billion), followed by his younger counterpart LeBron James ($1,5 billion), and golf pro Tiger Woods ($1,4 billion). Federer ranks fourth on this list.
Prize Money and Sponsorship Deals
Between 2003 and 2018, Federer won a total of 20 Grand Slam tournaments. By the time he retired in 2022 after a 24-year professional tennis career, he had amassed approximately $130,6 million in prize money.
However, the majority of his wealth stems from a series of sponsorship deals and his investment in the Swiss sneaker brand On, which evolved from a small startup into a globally established and trendy label within just a few years.
Not just a Tennis Expert: Roger Federer. (Image: Mercedes-Benz, 2018)
His advertising and sponsorship partners have included Nike, Credit Suisse (now UBS), Rolex, Mercedes-Benz, Sunrise, coffee machine manufacturer Jura, Lindt & Sprüngli, and Switzerland Tourism.
One particularly exceptional deal was with the Japanese apparel brand Uniqlo. The contract, which Federer signed when the end of his career was already on the horizon, has a duration of 10 years and is said to have brought in $300 million.
On Stake Estimated at $500 Million
However, according to the report, his most lucrative deal was the investment in On. As an angel investor, Federer acquired around 3 percent of the company, which is now listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Today, On is valued at nearly $17 billion. Federer’s stake is estimated to be worth at least $500 million.
