Net Worth Ranker
What Is Colin Kaepernick Net Worth?
Colin Kaepernick, an American football player and activist, has accumulated a net worth of $20 million. This financial standing is primarily derived from his NFL career earnings and various endorsement deals, most notably with Nike. His career, though relatively short, has been marked by both athletic achievement and social activism, significantly impacting his public profile and financial opportunities.
Colin Kaepernick’s NFL Career Earnings
During his six seasons in the National Football League (NFL), spanning from 2011 to 2016, Colin Kaepernick amassed just over $43 million in salary before taxes and other deductions. His peak salary reached $14.3 million during the 2016 season, showcasing his value as a quarterback at the time. Kaepernick was initially drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He served as a backup quarterback before taking the starting role during the 2012 season. In 2014, Kaepernick signed a seven-year contract extension with the 49ers, potentially worth $126 million with $61 million in potential guarantees. The extension included a $12.3 million signing bonus and a $640,000 salary for the initial season. However, only the $13 million was fully guaranteed. A stipulation in the contract reduced his base salary by $2 million each year if he wasn’t named to the first or second All-Pro team, or if the 49ers didn’t play in the Super Bowl with Kaepernick taking at least 80% of the snaps. Thus, his $12.4 million base salary at the start of the 2015 season was reduced to $10.4 million. By March 2017, anticipating being cut, Kaepernick opted out of his contract to become a free agent. Ultimately, he earned approximately $39 million from the contract.
Endorsement Deals and Business Ventures
Kaepernick’s income isn’t solely from his football career. He has endorsement deals, most notably with Nike, which contribute to his overall net worth. Kaepernick initially signed with Nike in 2011. Despite speculation that the contract wasn’t renewed after 2017, Nike continued to support Kaepernick. In 2018, Nike featured Kaepernick in an ad campaign on the 30th anniversary of the “Just Do It” campaign, with the slogan “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.” According to Yahoo NFL reporter Charles Robinson, Nike continues to pay Colin a contract on par with current star NFL athletes, providing millions annually, including royalties from a Kaepernick-branded apparel line. In February 2020, Kaepernick established Kaepernick Publishing. As of 2021, he also co-created and released “Colin in Black & White” on Netflix. The limited series, co-created with Ava DuVernay, covers Colin’s teenage years. Kaepernick is also set to publish a memoir through his publishing company and Audible.
Real Estate Holdings
Kaepernick has made investments in real estate. In 2017, he sold his San Jose, California home for $3.075 million. This two-story house included four bedrooms, five and a half bathrooms, and almost 4,600 square feet of living space. Amenities featured a wall aquarium, a full bar, a pool, a spa, and a waterfall feature. Kaepernick had originally purchased the home in 2014 for $2.7 million and renovated it. In July 2016, Kaepernick purchased a two-bedroom luxury condo in New York City for $3.21 million. The 1,733-square-foot Tribeca apartment reportedly offers 24-hour concierge service, a swimming pool, a private health club, and a garage. This apartment was listed for sale in April 2024 for $3.21 million.
Early Life and Education
Colin Rand Kaepernick was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on November 3, 1987. He was adopted by Rick and Teresa Kaepernick and grew up with their two older children, Kyle and Devon. Initially, the family lived in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, before moving to California when Colin was four. Kaepernick excelled academically and athletically at John H. Pitman High School in Turlock, California, maintaining a 4.0 GPA. While primarily focused on baseball, he received multiple scholarship offers for college baseball. However, he pursued football and secured a spot at the University of Nevada. In college, he consistently ranked among the best college quarterbacks, earning numerous honors, including being named the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Offensive Player of the Year twice. He was also the only player in NCAA Division I FBS history to surpass 10,000 passing yards and 4,000 rushing yards in a career.
Activism and Social Impact
Kaepernick’s net worth and public perception are also influenced by his activism. In the 49ers’ third preseason game in 2016, Kaepernick protested racial injustice, police brutality, and systemic oppression by sitting during the U.S. national anthem. The following week, and for the rest of the regular season, he kneeled during the anthem. This action sparked passionate reactions, both positive and negative. In September 2017, the controversy escalated after President Donald Trump suggested that NFL owners should “fire” players who protest during the national anthem. After that season, Kaepernick became a free agent, and no team signed him. In 2017, Kaepernick filed a grievance against the NFL, alleging that the league and owners conspired to keep him from playing due to his protests. This lawsuit was settled privately in February 2019, with an undisclosed payment. Although some sports news outlets reported the settlement amount to be in the $60 – $80 million range, it was later revealed to be closer to $10 million. Kaepernick and Nessa Diab founded the Know Your Rights Camp, offering free seminars to disadvantaged youths on self-empowerment, American history, and legal rights. In April 2020, the Know Your Rights Camp launched a relief fund for individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with Kaepernick donating $100,000.
