Colin Kaepernick’s name goes beyond football, igniting discussions about social justice and financial success. As a former NFL quarterback turned activist, his journey intrigues the public, raising curiosity about his $22 million net worth.
This figure includes his NFL career earnings, endorsements, legal settlements, and business investments. In this article, we’ll explore the various sources contributing to Kaepernick’s wealth.
We cover everything from his professional football earnings to lucrative endorsements and the financial outcomes of his legal battles with the NFL. We’ll also delve into his business ventures and investments, examining his financial standing as a significant figure in sports and culture.
As of 2024, Colin Kaepernick’s net worth is approximately $20 million to $22 million. This figure represents the culmination of his earnings from his NFL career, endorsement deals, and various business ventures.
Kaepernick’s financial status has shown steady growth over the years, with his net worth rising from $13 million in 2018 to its current peak.
Several key factors have contributed to Kaepernick’s current net worth:
Kaepernick’s net worth has shown a consistent upward trajectory:
This growth is particularly noteworthy considering the challenges Kaepernick has faced in his professional football career since 2016. Despite not playing in the NFL since that year, he has managed to maintain and even increase his net worth through various income streams and smart financial decisions.
Kaepernick’s assets now include properties in Milwaukee, Manhattan, and Los Angeles, as well as a collection of luxury cars and high-end watches. His annual income is estimated to be around $2 million, and his monthly earnings exceed $150,000.
However, it’s important to note that he also has expenses totaling approximately $2,250,000 annually and pays an estimated $15,000 in taxes yearly.
Colin Kaepernick’s journey in the NFL began when the San Francisco 49ers selected him as the 36th overall pick in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft. His initial contract was a four-year deal worth $5.1 million, with an average annual salary of $1.2 million.
This rookie contract included $3.8 million in guaranteed money, demonstrating the 49ers’ confidence in their young quarterback. During this period, Kaepernick’s base salary started at $375,000 in his first year and gradually increased, reaching $740,844 by 2013.
Following his impressive performances, including leading the 49ers to consecutive NFC championship games and a Super Bowl appearance, Kaepernick secured a significant contract extension in 2014.
This new deal was initially reported as a seven-year, $126 million contract with $61 million in “guaranteed” money. However, the actual guaranteed portion of the contract was considerably less.
The extension included:
It’s important to note that despite the high reported figures, the contract had several clauses affecting its value.
For instance, Kaepernick’s salary would decrease by $2 million yearly if he was not named first- or second-team All-Pro or if the 49ers didn’t reach the Super Bowl with Kaepernick playing 80% of the snaps. These conditions were not met, impacting the contract’s overall value.
Over his six-year NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers, Colin Kaepernick’s earnings totaled approximately $43.5 million. This amount can be broken down as follows:
Kaepernick’s highest-earning year was 2016, when he received $14.3 million. His largest cap number also occurred in 2016, reaching $20,231,507. While his extension had the potential to be worth up to $126 million, it ultimately turned out to be a three-year deal worth more than $39 million.
This amount was less than the three-year, $45 million contract Mike Glennon signed with the Chicago Bears in a subsequent offseason. In 2016, Kaepernick restructured his contract, converting the 2017 season into a player option.
Anticipating his release by the 49ers, he opted out of his contract in early March 2017, hoping to secure a new deal as a free agent. This decision marked the end of his NFL career earnings, as he hasn’t played in the league since then.
Colin Kaepernick’s relationship with Nike has been a significant factor in his endorsement portfolio. Although he has been associated with the brand since 2011, it wasn’t until 2016 that Nike began to leverage his growing prominence as an activist.
In September 2018, Nike made a bold move by featuring Kaepernick in their 30th anniversary “Just Do It” campaign. This decision proved to be financially beneficial for both parties. The campaign generated record engagement on social media and contributed to Nike’s stock reaching all-time highs.
The company saw a 10% increase in quarterly sales year-over-year, surpassing analyst expectations. This success demonstrated the power of aligning with socially conscious athletes and reflected consumers’ growing desire for brands to take stands on social issues.
Nike’s partnership with Kaepernick has continued to evolve. In 2023, the brand launched a new apparel collection featuring Kaepernick, collaborating with artist Joy Yamusangie to tell the story of Kaepernick’s impact and journey.
The collection, which includes limited-edition t-shirts and hoodies, serves as a reminder of Kaepernick’s commitment to social change through sports, education, and equality.
Prior to his high-profile partnership with Nike, Kaepernick had endorsement deals with several other well-known brands. These included:
These collaborations helped establish Kaepernick’s presence in the endorsement world before his activism gained widespread attention.
The endorsement deals, particularly the Nike partnership, have had a substantial impact on Kaepernick’s net worth. While his hiatus from professional football has limited his earning potential in the sports arena, his brand partnerships have helped maintain and even boost his financial standing.
Nike’s deal with Kaepernick has been reported to be comparable to those of current star NFL athletes. This includes royalties on Kaepernick-branded apparel, which has provided an ongoing source of income.
The exact figures of the deal haven’t been disclosed, but industry experts suggest it has significantly contributed to Kaepernick’s overall net worth. It’s worth noting that Kaepernick’s endorsement value has been influenced by his role as both an athlete and an activist.
His decision to kneel during the national anthem in 2016 to protest racial injustice in America initially caused controversy but ultimately enhanced his profile as a socially conscious figure.
This dual identity has made him an attractive partner for brands looking to align themselves with social causes, potentially increasing the value of his endorsements.
In October 2017, Colin Kaepernick filed a grievance against the National Football League, alleging collusion by team owners to keep him out of the league.
This legal action came after Kaepernick, a former star quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, had not been signed by any team following his decision to become a free agent after the 2016 season. Eric Reid, a former 49ers safety, also filed a similar grievance against the NFL.
The lawsuit claimed that NFL team owners had blackballed Kaepernick and Reid due to their protests during the national anthem, which involved kneeling to raise awareness about racial injustice and police brutality in America.
This legal battle became a significant point of contention between the players, the league, and the public.
In February 2019, the NFL and lawyers representing Kaepernick and Reid jointly announced that they had reached a settlement in the collusion case. The settlement terms, including any potential monetary payments, were subject to a confidentiality agreement. This meant that the exact details of the resolution were not made public.
However, sources with knowledge of the agreement have provided some insights into the financial aspects of the settlement. According to these sources, the NFL paid considerably less than $10 million in total to resolve the grievances filed by Kaepernick and Reid.
The settlement amount was divided between the two players, with each receiving roughly equal, smaller amounts. A significant portion of the settlement was allocated to cover the fees of the lawyers representing Kaepernick and Reid.
It’s important to note that the settlement amount was substantially less than what Kaepernick might have sought had he won the case.
In such a scenario, he could have pursued compensation equivalent to what he might have earned as a free agent in 2017, with the potential for that amount to be doubled for damages.
While the impact of the legal settlement on Colin Kaepernick’s overall wealth isn’t insignificant, it appears to be less substantial than initially speculated.
Given the reported settlement amount of less than $10 million, divided between two players and largely consumed by legal fees, the direct financial gain for Kaepernick was likely modest in comparison to his potential NFL earnings.
However, the settlement had broader implications beyond its immediate financial impact:
Despite the settlement, the NFL faced public relations challenges related to Kaepernick’s situation. The league’s attempt to “buy a resolution” to the Kaepernick problem did not fully disappear from the conversation.
Six months after the settlement, the NFL still grappled with negative publicity surrounding the issue. In conclusion, while the legal settlement provided some financial compensation to Kaepernick, its overall effect on his wealth was likely moderate.
The true value of the settlement may have been in its ability to resolve the legal aspect of his dispute with the NFL, allowing him to focus on other endeavors and maintain his influential position in discussions about social justice in sports.
Colin Kaepernick’s commitment to social justice extends beyond his activism on the football field. In 2015, he co-founded the Know Your Rights Camp (KYRC) with Nessa Diab.
This non-profit organization aims to advance the liberation and well-being of Black and Brown communities through education, self-empowerment, mass mobilization, and the creation of new systems that elevate the next generation of change leaders.
The KYRC has implemented several initiatives:
The organization has also distributed millions of dollars in community bail funds and grants to grassroots organizations. Kaepernick has consistently supported KYRC financially, including donating proceeds from his jersey sales and his Million Dollar Pledge.
In 2019, Kaepernick ventured into the publishing world by founding Kaepernick Publishing. Based in New York, this company elevates diverse voices and perspectives across various literary genres. The publishing house produces works ranging from children’s picture books to autobiographies and social justice literature.
Notable publications include:
In partnership with Scholastic, Kaepernick and Diab have announced plans to publish “We Are Free, You & Me,” a picture book set to release on October 1, 2024.
This book celebrates the principles of the Know Your Rights Camp and affirms the concept of freedom. Kaepernick and Diab have pledged to donate 100% of their proceeds from this book to KYRC.
Kaepernick’s entrepreneurial spirit has led him to explore opportunities in the tech industry. His latest venture, Lumi, recently emerged from stealth mode with $4 million in seed funding led by Seven Seven Six. As the founder and CEO, Kaepernick aims to democratize storytelling through AI-powered tools.
Lumi’s key features include:
This venture addresses common barriers in the creative industry, such as long-production
timelines, high costs, and lack of ownership over created work.
By providing an end-to-end solution for creators, Lumi has the potential to revolutionize the comic book and manga industries, enabling a more diverse range of voices to share their stories with a global audience.
Colin Kaepernick’s shift from NFL quarterback to activist and entrepreneur has greatly impacted his finances. His $20-22 million net worth in 2024 comes from football, endorsements, legal settlements, and business ventures.
This success shows his ability to adapt and succeed beyond sports. His ongoing deals with Nike, his publishing company, and his new AI-powered platform, Lumi, show his dedication to both change and building wealth.
Alongside his work for social justice through the Know Your Rights Camp, Kaepernick uses his platform to make a difference. As he takes on new projects, his financial journey remains closely tied to his influence in sports, activism, and social equity.
Judith Harvey is a seasoned finance editor with over two decades of experience in the financial journalism industry. Her analytical skills and keen insight into market trends quickly made her a sought-after expert in financial reporting.
