Join our Waitlist for Expert Advice!

30 Legendary Athletes Who Became Business All-Stars When they retired from the game, they were just getting started.

By Entrepreneur Staff

Elsa | Getty Images

When their game days end, sports stars might be hanging up their gear, but they are far from sitting back and relaxing.

Dave Meltzer, CEO of Sports 1 Marketing and host of The Playbook podcast. "These athletes already prepared themselves for life after sports, building brands and giving back to communities and groups -- all of which are vitally important to long-term success."

Check out this list of the most innovative sports legends who are continuing to win long after their playing days are over.

Start Slideshow

Derek Jeter

Shaquille O'Neal

Peyton Manning

Dwayne Johnson

Magic Johnson

George Foreman

Ronda Rousey

Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

Michael Jordan

Michael Phelps

Kobe Bryant

Alex Rodriguez

Tony Hawk

Warren Moon

Shawne Merriman

Michael Strahan

Jordan Palmer

Wladimir Klitschko

Steve Nash

John Elway

Curtis Martin

Steve Weatherford

Baron Davis

Deion Sanders

Mia Hamm

Jamal Mashburn

Rob Dyrdek

John Randle

Roger Staubach

Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Entrepreneur Staff

Entrepreneur Staff

Editor

For more than 30 years, Entrepreneur has set the course for success for millions of entrepreneurs and small business owners. We'll teach you the secrets of the winners and give you exactly what you need to lay the groundwork for success.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Most Popular

See all
Business News

You Have One Month Left to Buy a House, According to Barbara Corcoran. Here's Why.

"If you are planning on waiting a year and seeing where interest rates go, you are out of your mind," Corcoran said.

By Erin Davis
Business News

Meta Fires Employee Making $400,000 Per Year Over a $25 Meal Voucher Issue

Other staff members were fired for the same reason, per a new report.

By Sherin Shibu
Side Hustle

In Her Late 30s, She Pursued Another Creative Side Hustle — Then Turned It Into a Multimillion-Dollar Business

Gara Post had built one successful celebrity-magnet business before, so she decided to do it again.

By Amanda Breen
Business News

These 3 Side Hustles Make the Most Money While Working Fewer Hours, According to a New Survey

The survey also found that having a side hustle doubled as a path to becoming more employable.

By Sherin Shibu
Franchise

The McRib Is Back, But Only at Select McDonald's — Here's Where to Find It

This scarcity is nothing new. In 2022, McDonald's announced a "Farewell Tour" for the McRib, suggesting that it might be the last time customers could get their hands on it.

By Carl Stoffers
Marketing

3 Reasons Your Marketing is Failing (And How to Fix It)

There are endless acronyms and "gurus" telling entrepreneurs how to market their businesses, which leads to frustration. Discover how to create a marketing strategy that works for your business.

By Nicole Bernard