What Is Brett Favre’s Net Worth?
Brett Favre, a retired American professional football quarterback, has accumulated a substantial net worth estimated at $100 million. This financial success is a result of his illustrious 20-year career in the National Football League (NFL), endorsement deals, and various ventures undertaken after his retirement.
Brett Favre’s Career Earnings and Salary Details
Throughout his NFL career, Brett Favre earned a total of $140 million in salary alone. His compensation was not solely derived from his base salary but also included signing bonuses and other performance-based incentives. In 2010, during his time with the Minnesota Vikings, Favre’s single-season salary peaked at $16.4 million, comprising a $12 million base salary and a $4.4 million signing bonus. Prior to that, in 2009, he signed a two-year contract with the Vikings worth $25 million, solidifying his position as one of the highest-paid players in the league during those seasons. At the peak of his career, Favre was earning between $7 to $9 million per year, with total annual income, factoring in endorsements, ranging from $15 to $18 million.
In July 1991, Favre signed a three-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons valued at $1.4 million, which included a signing bonus of $350,000. This marked the beginning of his professional football journey, setting the stage for his future earnings and achievements.
Endorsements and Business Ventures Contributing to Brett Favre’s Net Worth
Beyond his NFL salary, Brett Favre has significantly augmented his net worth through numerous endorsement deals and business ventures. He has partnered with major brands such as Nike, Wrangler Jeans, MasterCard, Prilosec, and Foot Locker. These endorsements have provided him with substantial income streams throughout his career and after his retirement.
After retiring from the NFL, Favre pursued several business ventures. The Favre family once owned and operated Brett Favre’s Steakhouse in Green Bay, Wisconsin, which was later rebranded as the Hall of Fame Chophouse. While the restaurant eventually closed in 2018, it represented one of Favre’s entrepreneurial endeavors. In 2013, he joined the Board of Directors of Sqor, a sports social media platform, further expanding his business portfolio.
Early Life and College Career
Born on October 10, 1969, in Gulfport, Mississippi, Brett Lorenzo Favre was raised in the small town of Kiln. His parents, Bonita Ann and Irvin Ernest Favre, both worked as schoolteachers in the Hancock County School District. Irvin also served as the head coach of the high school football team. Favre attended Hancock North Central High School, where he participated in both baseball and football, laying the foundation for his future athletic achievements.
Favre received a football scholarship to Southern Mississippi University. Initially, the coaches wanted him to play defensive back, but Favre was determined to play quarterback. He started his freshman year as the seventh-string quarterback but eventually took over as the starting quarterback during the second half of the third game of the season. During his college career, he had 15 games where he achieved more than 200 passing yards; of those 15 games, five had more than 300 yards. Favre held several Southern Mississippi football records until 2011 when Austin Davis surpassed many of them.
Professional Football Career: Milestones and Achievements
Brett Favre’s professional football career began when he was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round of the 1991 NFL Draft, with the 33rd overall pick. However, his time with the Falcons was short-lived, as he was traded to the Green Bay Packers in 1992. This trade marked a turning point in Favre’s career, as he went on to play 16 seasons in Green Bay, becoming a legendary figure in the team’s history.
Favre’s most notable achievements include leading the Packers to victory in Super Bowl XXXI and earning three consecutive Associated Press (AP) Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards from 1995 to 1997. He holds the NFL record for consecutive starts by a quarterback, with an impressive streak of 297 games (321 including playoffs). Favre’s aggressive playing style, combined with his strong arm and improvisational skills, made him a fan favorite and a formidable opponent for opposing defenses. He retired as the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards and touchdown passes, although these records have since been broken.
In August 2008, the Packers traded Favre to the New York Jets. Despite a promising start, the Jets struggled in the final games of the season, and Favre suffered a torn biceps tendon. After a brief retirement, Favre signed with the Minnesota Vikings in August 2009. He led the Vikings to a 12-4 record and surpassed Joe Montana’s passing yards record. He officially filed his retirement papers with the NFL in January 2011, concluding his remarkable career with NFL records in passing (71,838) and touchdowns (508).
Post-Retirement Activities and Media Appearances
Following his retirement from the NFL, Brett Favre has remained active in the football community and the media. He returned to his alma mater, Southern Mississippi, as an analyst for their October 2011 game against Rice University. He also participated in pregame coverage of Super Bowl XLVII. In 2012, Favre became the offensive coordinator for the Oak Grove High School football team, a position he held until 2014. He has also co-hosted a show on SiriusXM’s NFL channel, providing his insights and analysis on the game.
Philanthropic Endeavors and Charitable Contributions
Brett Favre has been actively involved in various charitable activities, primarily through the Brett Favre Fourward Foundation. The foundation has donated millions of dollars to charities in his home state of Mississippi and Wisconsin, supporting programs focused on education, health, and community development. Favre’s commitment to giving back to the community has been a consistent aspect of his public persona.
Controversies and Legal Issues
Brett Favre has faced several controversies throughout his career and after his retirement. In 2010, he was investigated by the NFL for allegedly sending inappropriate messages and photos to Jenn Sterger, a Jets Gameday host, during the 2008 season. While forensic analysis could not definitively prove that Favre sent the photos, he was fined $50,000 for failing to cooperate with the investigation.
More recently, Favre has been embroiled in a Mississippi welfare fund scandal, where $8 million intended for welfare purposes was allegedly misallocated to Favre or causes he supported. The state of Mississippi has sued Favre, alleging that he misused federal welfare aid intended for underserved families. Favre has been ordered to repay money for public appearances he was paid for but did not make, and he paid $600,000 in October 2021. Text messages have revealed Favre’s involvement in a plan to divert $5 million to a new volleyball facility at the University of Southern Mississippi, where his daughter attended school. Favre has filed defamation lawsuits against the State Auditor of Mississippi and two media personalities over their coverage of the scandal.
Personal Life and Family
Brett Favre married Deanna Tynes in July 1996. Together, they have two daughters, Brittany (born 1989) and Breleigh (born 1999). Favre became a grandfather while still an active player in the NFL when his daughter Brittany gave birth to his first grandchild. His mother, Bonita, helps manage his real estate holdings, endorsements, and charitable work. Favre’s nephew, Dylan, played football at Mississippi State and was quarterback for the Cedar Rapids Titans of the Indoor Football League in 2016.
Information regarding Favre’s specific real estate holdings, private aircraft, and luxury car collection is not publicly available. However, it is reasonable to assume that, given his substantial earnings, he has invested in various assets to secure his financial future and enhance his lifestyle.