Net Worth Ranker
What Is Jeremy McGrath’s Net Worth?
Jeremy McGrath, the celebrated former American professional Motocross and Supercross racer, has accumulated a substantial net worth of $16 million. This financial achievement stems from a career marked by unparalleled success in the Supercross arena, leading many to regard him as “The Michael Jordan of Supercross,” a description given by the Los Angeles Times. The period from 1993 to 2000 is widely known as “the McGrath era” in Motocross and Supercross racing, reflecting his dominance and impact on the sport. Beyond his racing achievements, McGrath’s financial status has been bolstered by numerous sponsorships and successful business ventures.
Career Earnings and Sponsorships Contributing to Jeremy McGrath’s Net Worth
Jeremy McGrath’s career earnings are a mix of race winnings, sponsorships, and merchandise sales. In the 1990s, factory contracts included race bonuses that ranged from $8,000 to $50,000 per win, and with 72 Supercross victories, these bonuses significantly augmented his income. However, a larger portion of his wealth derived from endorsements and sponsorships. McGrath secured over 20 sponsorships throughout his career, broadening his financial base beyond the racetrack. While race winnings were significant, endorsements and sponsorships constituted the bulk of his total career earnings, which likely surpassed $10 million.
During his peak years in the late 1990s and early 2000s, McGrath was among the highest-paid motocross riders. His sponsorships included deals with mainstream brands such as 1-800-COLLECT and Bud Light. The Bud Light sponsorship was particularly lucrative, paying approximately $1 million per year. McGrath also secured a three-year personal sponsorship that was worth $1 million annually, along with a $250,000 bonus related to merchandise. When combined with factory salaries and win bonuses, McGrath’s annual income during his peak years likely reached $3–$5 million, solidifying his position as one of the sport’s top earners. These endorsements were critical components of Jeremy McGrath’s net worth, showcasing his appeal beyond the motocross community.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on November 19, 1971, in San Francisco, California, Jeremy McGrath is the son of Jack and Ann McGrath. His family relocated to Southern California during his childhood. There he began riding bikes with a family friend. He started BMX racing at the age of 10, participating in approximately 10 races every week. By the age of 13, McGrath had achieved national recognition in the cruiser BMX class and became nationally ranked. For his fourteenth birthday, he received a Yamaha YZ80. McGrath started motorcycle racing at 15, quickly outpacing his competitors at Perris Raceway in Perris, California. He then decided to pursue motocross racing, shifting his focus from BMX.
Motocross and Supercross Career Milestones
Jeremy McGrath’s professional motocross career commenced in 1989. During his debut, he placed 8th in the 125cc West Region Supercross season. The following years saw continued success, with McGrath achieving his first Supercross race victory in 1990 and also placing 20th in the season. He went on to win the 125 West Supercross title in both 1991 and 1992. From 1993 to 2000, a period known as “the McGrath era,” he secured 72 250cc main event wins and seven Supercross championships.
In 1995, McGrath won the 250 Outdoor Motocross Championship. He was a favorite for the 1996 title before an injury sidelined him. The title was then secured by fellow racer Jeff Emig. McGrath also contributed to the United States’ victories at the Motocross des Nations in 1993 and 1996. From 1998 through 2000, he competed with the Chaparral Motorsports race team, becoming the first non-factory team to win a Supercross championship.
The 2001 season began well for McGrath, but he was soon overshadowed by Ricky Carmichael, who won every race after the first three rounds. McGrath attempted a comeback in 2002 but was affected by compartment syndrome. He still managed to finish the season in third place. In 2003, McGrath signed with KTM but announced his retirement after a pre-season crash prompted him to reconsider his racing future. Although he retired before officially racing under KTM, he conducted a farewell tour with them. McGrath briefly returned in 2005 for limited races in the Supercross circuit, joining Team Honda and regularly placing in the top five. He also participated in the 2006 Summer X Games, where he placed 2nd in Step-Up and 7th in Supermoto. That same year, he created the McGrath Invitational, an off-season supercross race. He announced that his participation in the 2006 Invitational would be his final professional Supercross performance.
Ventures Beyond Motocross
After retiring from Motocross and Supercross, Jeremy McGrath signed a driver development contract with the NASCAR team JR Motorsports, with Monster Energy as his sponsor. The 2010s featured McGrath’s participation in off-road truck racing, including the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series. In 2017, he won the Pro 2 class championship. He finished in the top 10 in the off-roading races that he didn’t win.
Jeremy McGrath’s Business Pursuits
Jeremy McGrath has released four video games based on his racing career, known as the Jeremy McGrath Supercross series. The first game, Jeremy McGrath Supercross 98, was released in 1998, followed by Jeremy McGrath Supercross 2000 in 2000. Jeremy McGrath Supercross World was released in 2001, and Jeremy McGrath’s Offroad was released in 2012. The original game was exclusive to PlayStation, while subsequent games were available on various platforms, including Gameboy, Nintendo 64, Dreamcast, and Gamecube. The final game was also available on Xbox 360. In 2005, McGrath helped create Pole Position Raceway, an indoor go-kart track using electric karts. McGrath hosts a weekly YouTube series called “Science of Supercross” in partnership with Kawasaki since 2016. He is also a guest commentator on Supercross games. In 2020, McGrath co-founded Arma Sports Inc. with Nick Wey and Scott Sepkovic, producing sports nutrition products. These business ventures have contributed to Jeremy McGrath’s net worth.
Autobiography and Personal Life
Jeremy McGrath released his autobiography, “Wide Open: A Life in Supercross,” in 2001, co-written with Chris Palmer. The book details his journey from BMX to his professional career and includes a section for future Supercross racers, detailing workout regimens and bike maintenance tips.
Jeremy McGrath married Kim in 2002. Kim was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 and with leukemia in 2012. McGrath held nearly 40 bone marrow drives with Be The Match, a registry that matches bone marrow donors with cancer patients. Kim received a marrow donor match in late 2012. McGrath has made significant financial contributions to Be The Match, including proceeds from the video game Jeremy McGrath Offroad. Jeremy and Kim live in California and have two children.
Thing Valley Ranch
In 2020, Jeremy and Kim listed their 700-acre ranch in Pine Valley, California, for $6.3 million. The price was later reduced to $4.6 million in September 2020 and then to $4.2 million in June 2021 before the listing was removed. “Thing Valley Ranch” is located at 5000 feet elevation and features wells, solar panels, diesel generators, and a large battery bank for off-grid operation. The property includes five homes, horse barns and stables, workshops, a saloon, and an outdoor kitchen with a Santa Maria-style grill and pizza oven. Thing Valley Ranch has hosted two World Records in 2009 and 2015 and has been a venue for action sports stars.
