Being a professional athlete comes with a massive paycheck, but sometimes, the spending habits hit even harder than the tackles. From private jets to pet tigers, these athletes had it all… and then spent it all.
This list isn’t about judgment—it’s about jaw drops. Here are 20 millionaire athletes who couldn’t help but flex those wallets just a little too hard.
20. Antoine Walker
Walker made over $100 million in his NBA career but somehow still found himself filing for bankruptcy. Lavish homes, cars, and helping too many friends drained his accounts faster than a fast break.
19. Jack Clark
The former MLB slugger once owned 18 cars at the same time—including a Ferrari he reportedly never even drove. That might’ve been a red flag.
18. Clinton Portis
Portis lived large with flashy jewelry, expensive cars, and a dream of becoming a financial mogul—until it all crumbled. Turns out, trusting the wrong advisors can burn through millions in no time.
17. Mike Tyson
Tyson made hundreds of millions and spent it just as fast—on mansions, exotic pets, and even a $2 million bathtub. When you own tigers, your bank account is probably growling too.
16. Lenny Dykstra
Dykstra’s post-MLB ventures into luxury lifestyle branding didn’t pan out, and his mansion dreams turned into bankruptcy nightmares. Let’s just say “Nails” wasn’t exactly nailing financial planning.
15. Allen Iverson
Iverson made it rain on and off the court, but the spending caught up with him. Thankfully, a lifetime Reebok deal is still keeping him afloat.
14. Johnny Damon
He didn’t go completely broke, but Damon admitted he spent way too much money too fast early in his career. Even a World Series ring doesn’t cover impulsive car purchases.
13. Travis Henry
With nine kids by nine women and a series of poor financial choices, Henry’s NFL earnings disappeared quickly. Child support alone had him running harder than he ever did on the field.
12. Curt Schilling
After baseball, Schilling went all-in on a video game company that went belly up. Turns out, pitching business ideas can be just as risky as pitching in the playoffs.
11. Terrell Owens
Owens made around $80 million in his career but struggled with overspending and bad investments. The designer wardrobe and multiple homes didn’t come cheap.
10. Diego Maradona
The soccer legend loved the high life—fast cars, parties, and living large. His tax debts in Italy reached such absurd levels, it became part of his legacy.
9. Dennis Rodman
Rodman’s fashion choices were bold, and so were his spending habits. Between wild trips, wild outfits, and wild everything else, the money just didn’t last.
8. Evander Holyfield
Holyfield’s 54,000-square-foot mansion had 109 rooms, and he reportedly fathered 11 children with six women. The real fight was trying to maintain that lifestyle.
7. Vince Young
Young once dropped five figures at the Cheesecake Factory in a single weekend. That’s a lot of cheesecake, and even more poor planning.
6. Latrell Sprewell
He famously turned down a $21 million contract because it wasn’t enough to feed his family. Spoiler alert: things did not end well financially.
5. Michael Vick
After signing a nine-figure contract, Vick lost it all due to legal troubles and extravagant spending. His comeback was impressive, but the financial damage was done.
4. Andre Rison
Rison spent big on jewelry, clothes, and a lifestyle that quickly outpaced his income. One of his homes famously burned down—allegedly set ablaze by his girlfriend Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes.
3. Darryl Strawberry
Strawberry’s spending habits were just as legendary as his talent, mixed with addiction and poor decisions. A cautionary tale for anyone who thinks the money never runs out.
2. JaMarcus Russell
Russell got paid like a franchise quarterback and spent like one too—on jewelry, custom suits, and who knows what else. He made more headlines for his spending than his play.
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1. Scottie Pippen
Despite career earnings over $100 million, Pippen fell victim to bad investments and financial mismanagement. When you’re one of the greatest ever and still struggle with money, it proves no one is immune.
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