Roger Federer is a billionaire because of tennis – but not the sport

(Bloomberg) – Roger Federer’s Tennis Superrestrial is now one of the few athletes who may consider themselves billionaires.

Federer, who won 20 Grand Slams between 2003 and 2018, accumulated $ 130.6 million in awards during a 24 -year career that ended in 2022. But most of the Swiss star’s fortune came through a series of robust sponsorship contracts, plus a cunning investment in one.

Also read:

Its net equity is about $ 1.3 billion (about $ 7 billion), according to Bloomberg Billionaires Index, placing it in an elite company. Michael Jordan reached an estimated $ 3.5 billion assets after selling his participation in Charlotte Hornets by 2023, while last year Bloomberg calculated Tiger Woods’ fortune at about $ 1.36 billion.

Federer is considerably worth more than $ 1 billion, according to people close to him who spoke on anonymity. Bloomberg’s assessment takes into account the gains of Federer’s career, investments and sponsorship contracts, adjusted for current tax rates and market performance.

Many of its contracts lasted decades, since sponsorships with Banco Credit Suisse (now UBS Group AG), Rolex watches manufacturer and Swiss chocolate chocolatesfabriken Lindt & Sprungli Ag. Federer also built a close -up network of counseling, including Team8, the management company that co -fired with its longtime agent Tony Godsick in 2013, as well as Swiss company Format A Ag, which helps manage multiple investments and its charity foundation.

The “club” of billionaire athletes

“Federer is totally free of scandals. He never says the wrong thing,” said sports analyst Bob Dorfman. “He’s not temperamental like John Mcenroe. But in terms of commercialization, he was one of the best in tennis.”

Also read:

Federer’s biggest contracts came close to the end of his career.

In 2018, a rotary contract with Nike Inc. – initially signed in 1996 – was about to be renewed. Tennis was not a central market for Nike, which allowed Godsick to test the land with other potential partners. UNIQLO, a popular brand belonging to the Japanese Fast Retailing Co., offered Federer $ 300 million for 10 years to be one of its main sports icons. Federer was 37 years old and was close to retirement, and the contract had no conditional clauses, even if he stopped playing. It was an obvious decision.

Still, it was not Federer’s most successful contract. This was an investment that came through an accidental presentation made by his wife, who bought a pair of Swiss brand sneakers on. There are many bankers and lawyers in Switzerland, but few sports brands. Founded in 2010, ON became known as a high standard running sneakers. His distinct sole, with more empty space than rubber, was based on a prototype made by co-founder Olivier Bernhard-a former Ironman-who stuck pieces of garden hose on the basis of his sneakers.

Unlike Nike, Federer could seek a shoe sponsor because Uniqlo does not manufacture tennis. Passionate about tennis and owner of more than 250 pairs (not to mention those he used to play), Federer invited the founders of on to dinner in Zurich. Godsick also had a connection with them through an angel investment in the company. Eventually, an agreement was closed to buy about 3% on On Holding AG and spend time in his lab projecting his own tennis.

ON now it is worth close to $ 17 billion, causing Federer Valha’s participation at least $ 500 million, according to Bloomberg’s wealth rate.

Federer has so far avoided excessive exposure through papers such as commentator or dubious sponsorships. He recently waved with the French flag to start Le Mans’s resistance race and launched a new collection of uniqlo clothing in Paris. He will probably also be in Wimbledon – the scene of his greatest achievements – when the tournament starts next week.

© 2025 Bloomberg L.P.