What Is Wayne Rooney’s Net Worth?
Wayne Rooney, a prominent figure in British football history as both a player and a coach, has accumulated a substantial net worth estimated at $170 million. This wealth is the result of lucrative playing contracts, endorsements, and strategic investments throughout his career.
Wayne Rooney’s Earnings and Contracts
At the peak of his playing career, Wayne Rooney earned an annual salary of $26 million, reflecting his status as one of the top players in the world. In June 2017, Rooney signed a three-year deal with D.C. United of Major League Soccer. His earnings in the year following this deal reached $30 million, encompassing both his salary and various endorsement deals. The specifics of his contracts often included performance-based bonuses and clauses related to image rights, which significantly contributed to his overall income.
Rooney’s contracts with Manchester United were particularly noteworthy. In October 2010, amidst speculation of a potential departure, he signed a new five-year contract that made him one of the highest-paid players in the Premier League. The exact figures were not fully disclosed, but sources at the time suggested a base salary of over £200,000 per week, equating to more than £10 million per year before bonuses and endorsements. This contract was extended in February 2014, securing his position at the club until 2019 and further solidifying his financial stability. In addition to his base salary, Rooney also benefitted from various commercial partnerships. Wayne secured endorsement deals with global brands such as Nike, Nokia, Coca-Cola, and Ford, which added significantly to his annual income. The exact terms of these endorsement deals are confidential, but they typically involve appearance fees, advertising campaigns, and product endorsements.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Wayne Mark Rooney was born on October 24, 1985, in Croxteth, Liverpool, England. Growing up in a Roman Catholic household with his mother Jeanette, father Thomas, and younger brothers Graham and John, Rooney attended Our Lady and St Swithin’s and De La Salle School. His early life was deeply rooted in football, playing for Liverpool Schoolboys, Copplehouse Boys’ Club, and Kirkdale Junior League. At the age of nine, he was recruited into the youth team of Everton Football Club. Rooney’s transition from youth football to professional football began at 16 when he started playing professionally for Everton. His performance during this period was impressive, which resulted in him being named the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year in 2002.
Professional Playing Career
Rooney’s career took a significant leap in 2004 when Manchester United acquired him from Everton in a £25.6 million deal. Donning the #8 jersey, he immediately made an impact, becoming the youngest player to score a hat-trick in the Champions League during his debut match with United. That season, Rooney scored 11 goals, becoming United’s top league scorer and earning the PFA Young Player of the Year award. The following season, Rooney scored 16 goals. He broke his right metatarsal, and was named Man of the Match in the 2005–06 League Cup. During the 2006–07 season, he signed a contract extension, keeping him with Manchester United until 2012. That season, Wayne also became the proud owner of his first Premier League title winner’s medal. During the 2007–08 season, Rooney began wearing the #10 jersey, fractured his left metatarsal (sidelining him for 6 weeks), and injured his ankle; he scored 18 goals that season, and United won the Champions League’s all-English final.
In 2008, Rooney played in the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup, and in January 2009, he injured his hamstring. He played in the 2009 Champions League Final, and the 2009 Community Shield, and he was named Man of the Match again in December 2009 and PFA Players’ Player of the Year in April 2010. In October 2010, Rooney signed a new 5-year contract with Manchester United amidst rumors that he wanted to leave, and the following year, he became the highest-scoring Englishman in the history of the Champions League. In February 2014, Wayne signed another contract extension, agreeing to play for United until 2019, and he was named club captain for the 2014–15 season. In January 2017, Rooney scored his 250th goal for Manchester United, making him the top goalscorer in the club’s history. Wayne signed a 2-year contract with Everton in 2017 and a 3 1/2-year contract with Major League Soccer’s D.C. United in 2018. Rooney became D.C. United’s captain after just three games and was named their MVP at the end of the year.
Coaching Career
Transitioning from playing to coaching, Wayne Rooney left D.C. United in 2020 to take on a player-coach role with Derby County in the English Football League Championship. By January 2021, Rooney officially retired from playing to dedicate himself fully to coaching Derby. While specific financial details of his coaching contracts are not publicly available, such roles typically involve a base salary supplemented by performance-related bonuses. These coaching roles further contribute to his financial stability, albeit likely at a lower scale compared to his peak playing years.
Real Estate Assets
Wayne and Coleen Rooney have made significant investments in real estate. In 2019, they acquired a 6-bedroom home in Cheshire, England, for £20 million. This property features extensive amenities, including a private garden, a home cinema, and state-of-the-art security systems. The couple also invested £320,000 in a waterfront apartment in Port Charlotte, Florida, in 2017, adding to their diverse property portfolio. Further enhancing their real estate holdings, Wayne and Coleen own a £5 million villa in Barbados, purchased in 2010. Since 2015, they have been renting out this Barbados home, with weekly rental rates ranging from £10,000 to £25,000, depending on the season. The villa’s rental income adds another stream to their overall earnings.
Personal Life and Endorsements
Wayne Rooney married Coleen McLoughlin on June 12, 2008, and together they have four sons: Kai (born in November 2009), Klay (born in May 2013), Kit (born in January 2016), and Cass (born in February 2018). Rooney’s personal brand has been leveraged through numerous endorsements over the years, enhancing his financial profile.
In 2006, Wayne secured a 5-book publishing deal with HarperCollins, receiving a £5 million advance plus royalties. This deal led to the publication of “My Story So Far” and “The Official Wayne Rooney Annual” in 2006, “The Way It Is” in 2009, and “My Decade in the Premier League” in 2012. While the specific royalty earnings from these books are not public, the initial advance demonstrates the significant value placed on his personal story and brand.
Legal Matters and Public Incidents
Throughout his career, Rooney has faced several legal issues and public incidents that have had financial implications. In 2006, he sued “The Sun” and “News of the World” over allegations of assaulting his wife, receiving £100,000 in damages, which he donated to charity. Also in 2006, Rooney was sued by Everton manager David Moyes for claims made in “My Story So Far,” settling the lawsuit for £500,000 in 2008. In September 2017, Rooney was arrested for drunk driving, resulting in a £170 fine, a two-year driving ban, and 100 hours of community service. The following year, he was arrested at Washington Dulles International Airport for public intoxication and profanity. These incidents, while not directly impacting his net worth in a positive way, highlight the complexities of managing a high-profile career and the potential costs associated with missteps.
Awards and Honors
Wayne Rooney’s accolades include being named England Player of the Year in 2008, 2009, 2014, and 2015. Early in his career, he received a Bravo Award (2003) and a Golden Boy Award (2004) and was named FIFPro Young Player of the Year (2004–05). Rooney was also named Premier League Player of the Season (2009–10), FWA Footballer of the Year (2009–10), and D.C. United Golden Boot Winner (2018). Wayne has set several football records, including Manchester United’s all-time top scorer, England national team’s all-time top scorer, and most Premier League goals scored for one club. The numerous awards and honors that Wayne Rooney has received throughout his career underscore his significant contributions to football. These accolades not only recognize his talent and achievements but also enhance his marketability and brand value, indirectly contributing to his financial success.
Net Worth Summary
Wayne Rooney’s $170 million net worth is the result of his earnings from football salaries, endorsements, investments in real estate, and book deals. Rooney has had an annual salary of $26 million at his peak and endorsement earnings of around $4 million per year. Also, Rooney has real estate assets worth over $30 million. His career earnings have allowed him to accumulate substantial wealth, securing his financial future and enabling him to transition into coaching and other ventures. The combination of these elements has solidified Wayne Rooney’s financial legacy as one of the most successful and wealthiest footballers of his generation.