Joe Namath, also known as Broadway Joe, is one of the most popular NFL players to exist to date. In fact, he was the face of the NFL in the late 60s and early 70s, which was pretty much the time he played in the league. Namath played for the Jets and the Los Angeles Rams in his 13-year tenure in the NFL and finally ended his career as a quarterback in 1977. During this entire time and even today, Namath ensured that he had more than one source of income. This is why it is only normal to wonder what Joe Namath net worth is and how massive of a financial empire he has built.
Joe Namath Net worth
Joe Namath net worth is estimated to be $25 million in 2023. Namath had a remarkable football career in college and the professional leagues, which helped boost his overall net worth.
Early Life
Joe Namath was born on May 31, 1943, in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. His father, Janos Joe Namath, was a steelworker who immigrated to the United States from Hungary. His mother, Rose, was of Irish descent. He was raised in a Catholic house.
Namath grew up in a working-class family and was passionate about sports from a young age. His parents separated when he was young, and he went on to live with his mom after the divorce.
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Namath’s exceptional athletic skills began to show during his high school days. He played football, basketball, and baseball in high school and was recruited to play football at the University of Alabama under legendary coach Bear Bryant. During his college career, Namath became a standout quarterback, leading the Crimson Tide to a national championship in 1964.
Joe Namath Net Worth Through Football Career
After graduating from college, Namath could not be drafted in the big league due to his knee injury. He was then selected by the AFL’s New York Jets and became the face of the franchise, leading them to their first and only Super Bowl championship in 1969. Namath’s performance in that game, where he famously guaranteed victory over the heavily favoured Baltimore Colts, cemented his status as a cultural icon and sports legend. Additionally, within his first year with the Jets, he got the title AFL Rookie of the Year.
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Moreover, in 1965, Joe Namath appeared on Sports Illustrated’s cover, which led to him getting the nickname, Broadway Joe. This helped increase Joe Namath net worth. Later, the NFL and AFL merged, and Joe Namath became one of the best NFL quarterbacks.
He played for the Jets for 12 years and then transferred to play for the Los Angeles Rams. This was his last year in the NFL. Joe had to retire in 1977 due to his several injuries that did not allow him to give his best during games. He was a five-time AFL All-Star and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.
Brand Endorsement and Other Ventures
Joe Namath was one of the first professional athletes to become a major brand endorser, and he appeared in numerous television commercials throughout his career. Here are some of his most notable endorsements,
The 79-year-old made headlines when he appeared in a television commercial wearing a pair of pantyhose. The ad was for Beautymist pantyhose. Namath appeared in a series of commercials for Noxzema shaving cream. Namath was also a spokesperson for Brut aftershave. He appeared in a series of brand commercials.
In addition to these brands, Namath appeared in commercials for Hanes underwear, Ovaltine, and Hamilton Beach appliances. All these endorsements help uplift the overall value of Joe Namath net worth.
Aside from his brand endorsements, Namath has also had a successful career as a sports broadcaster and analyst. He has worked for ABC, NBC, and ESPN. Furthermore, he currently hosts a weekly show on Sirius XM Radio. Namath has also been involved in numerous philanthropic efforts, including the Joe Namath Foundation, which supports neurological research and rehabilitation programs for traumatic brain injury.
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The pro footballer owned and operated several restaurants over the years, including a popular New York City steakhouse called Broadway Joe’s.
Joe Namath has been involved in the breeding and ownership of racehorses. He has owned several successful thoroughbreds, including a horse named Joeski that won multiple races.
Namath was part of a group that attempted to bring an expansion football team to Los Angeles. While the bid was ultimately unsuccessful, Namath remained involved in the negotiations and expressed interest in owning a team in the future.
Joe Namath Personal life
Joe Namath has had a colourful personal life, including several high-profile relationships and well-publicized struggles with alcoholism.
Namath has been married twice. He first married Deborah Mays, and they had two daughters together before divorcing. He later married another woman named Tatiana, but they divorced after a few years. Namath has also been linked to several other women over the years, including actresses Raquel Welch and Ann-Margret.
Namath struggled with alcoholism throughout his football career and beyond. In his autobiography, Namath admitted that he began drinking heavily in college and continued to do so throughout his playing days. He also had several high-profile incidents related to alcohol, including an arrest for disorderly conduct. His alcohol addiction was also one of the reasons for his divorce from his first wife.
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The footballer underwent an embarrassing event due to his addiction in 2003 when he showed up drunk at ESPN while going on air. The show was supposed to be about honouring the Jets’ All-Time team. However, all the focus was towards Namath showing up drunk and acting unprofessionally on air. In fact, he even told the reporter, Suzy Kolber, that he wanted to kiss her. Later on, he admitted that the entire event was very embarrassing for him and decided to eventually sought help for his alcoholism. He has now become an advocate for addiction recovery and has worked to raise awareness and support for those struggling with substance abuse.
In recent years, Namath has also spoken publicly about his struggles with brain injuries and the long-term effects of playing football. He has been involved in efforts to support research into traumatic brain injuries and to improve safety measures in football and other contact sports.
Real estate
Joe Namath has been involved in various real estate transactions and investments throughout his career.
Namath purchased a luxury apartment in the Upper West Side of Manhattan in 2016. He reportedly paid $1 million for the apartment, a significant sum at the time. It is said that this pricey purchase by Namath was for his daughter and her partner, as they were also listed as the buyers at the time. This first-floor duplex was then sold by Namath in 2019.
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Moreover, Namath has owned several homes in Florida, including a 4,000-square-foot estate in Tequesta. The property includes a pool, a boat dock, and views of the Loxahatchee River. Namath also owns a large property in Alabama, where he grew up. This is a testament to how incredible Joe Namath net worth is.