Joe Montana: The Legend On And Off The Field

What’s Joe Montana’s Net Worth?

Joe Montana, a retired professional American football player and current venture capital investor, boasts an impressive net worth of $150 million. Known as one of the greatest athletes in history, Joe Montana earned his nickname “Joe Cool” for his calm demeanor under pressure. Over his career with the San Francisco 49ers, he led the team to four Super Bowl victories, solidifying his legacy as a legend in the NFL. In 2000, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and ranked as the #4 NFL Player of All Time by NFL.com.

Interestingly, Joe has made significantly more money in retirement through venture investments and endorsement deals than he did during his playing days. While his NFL career earned him $25.5 million, compare that to modern players like Joe Burrow, who earned $55 million from the Bengals in 2023 alone. Montana’s post-retirement success highlights his sharp business acumen and enduring appeal.

Throughout his career, Joe Montana was known for his ability to stay cool under pressure, earning him nicknames like “Joe Cool,” “The Comeback Kid,” and “Golden Joe.” His exceptional talent and leadership left a lasting impact on the NFL, making him a household name both on and off the field.

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Breaking Down His Career Earnings

During his NFL career, Joe Montana’s earnings might seem modest by today’s standards. He earned a total of $25.5 million in salary over the course of his career. His highest single-season earnings were $4 million in 1993 and 1994 with the Kansas City Chiefs, which translates to roughly $7.5 million in today’s dollars.

Joe’s first NFL contract with the 49ers was a 3-year deal worth $255,000, averaging an annual salary of $85,000 after a signing bonus of $50,000. In 1984, he signed a 6-year, $6.3 million deal, boosting his average annual salary to about $1 million, equivalent to around $3 million today. In 1990, he inked a 4-year, $13 million extension, raising his average annual salary to $3.25 million and earning a $500,000 signing bonus. This was the same year he was named the NFL MVP.

His final NFL contract was a 3-year, $10 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite these relatively modest earnings by today’s standards, Montana’s impact on the game was undeniable.

Endorsements: A Lucrative Post-Retirement Career

While Joe Montana earned millions during his NFL career, his post-retirement earnings from endorsements have been even more substantial. Brands have continued to recognize his star power long after he left the field. Montana has appeared in commercials for major companies like Guinness, Schick, Papa John’s, Mastercard, AT&T, and more. These deals have generated tens of millions in additional income, surpassing his total NFL salary.

Early Life: From Pennsylvania to Notre Dame

Joe Montana was born Joseph Clifford Montana, Jr. on June 11, 1956, in New Eagle, Pennsylvania. His father, Joe Sr., managed a finance company, and his mother, Theresa, worked as the company’s secretary. Growing up in Monongahela, Pennsylvania, Joe developed a passion for sports from a young age. His father introduced him to football, and by the age of 8, Joe was playing on a youth football team.

Montana attended Waverly Elementary, Finleyville Junior High, and Ringgold High School, where he excelled in multiple sports, including football, baseball, and basketball. Despite being offered a basketball scholarship by North Carolina State, Joe chose to focus on football. He became the starting quarterback during his junior year and was named an All-American quarterback in his senior year (1974). Beyond sports, Joe was also involved in the school choir and served as senior class vice president. He later accepted a scholarship to Notre Dame, where his football career would truly take off. In 2006, Ringgold High School’s football stadium was officially renamed Joe Montana Stadium in his honor.

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College Football: Building a Legend at Notre Dame

Joe Montana’s journey to NFL greatness began at Notre Dame, where he joined the football team as a freshman. However, freshmen were not allowed to play on the varsity team, so Joe didn’t contribute until his sophomore year. Unfortunately, Notre Dame’s championship-winning coach Ara Parseghian resigned due to health issues, and his replacement, Dan Devine, quickly recognized Joe’s potential. After an impressive spring practice in 1975, Devine named Montana the starting quarterback for the final spring game.

In 1977, Montana led Notre Dame to an undefeated season, earning the team the AP/Coaches national title. Despite missing the 1976 season due to a separated shoulder, Joe returned stronger than ever. His performance in the 1979 Cotton Bowl, where he helped Notre Dame secure a one-point victory despite battling hypothermia, earned him a spot on ESPN’s list of the greatest bowl games ever. That same year, Joe graduated with a degree in business administration and marketing, setting the stage for his future success both on and off the field. The San Francisco 49ers selected him in the third round of the 1979 NFL Draft, making him the 82nd overall pick.

Professional Football: A Hall of Fame Career

Joe Montana became the 49ers’ starting quarterback in 1980 and quickly established himself as one of the league’s top players. In 1982, the 49ers won their first Super Bowl, defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 26-21. Joe earned his first Super Bowl MVP Award, a feat he would repeat in 1985 and 1990. In 1985, the 49ers dominated the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XIX, winning 38-16. Montana’s resilience was on full display in 1986 when he returned from a back injury to win the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award.

In 1989, the 49ers narrowly defeated the Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII, winning 20-16. Two years later, Montana led the team to another Super Bowl victory, scoring 55-10 against the Denver Broncos. For his outstanding performance, he was named “Sports Illustrated” Sportsman of the Year. However, injuries and the emergence of Steve Young as a formidable backup led to Montana’s departure from the 49ers. In 1993, he signed a 3-year, $10 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, helping the team win their first division title in 22 years. Joe officially retired on April 18, 1995, and the 49ers retired his number (16) in December 1997.

Records and Accomplishments: A Legacy of Excellence

Joe Montana’s NFL career was nothing short of extraordinary. Over 16 seasons, he threw for 273 touchdowns, accumulated over 40,000 passing yards, and achieved a passer rating that ranked among the highest in league history. He holds the record for the fastest quarterback to reach 100 wins and remains the only player to win the Super Bowl MVP Award three times. In 2010, the NFL Network named him the #4 greatest player of all time, and he was selected for the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team, NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, and NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.

Montana’s accolades include the NFL Most Valuable Player Award in 1989 and 1990, cementing his status as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. His records and accomplishments continue to inspire aspiring athletes and solidify his legacy as a true football icon.

Liquid2 Ventures: Montana’s Venture into Business

After retiring from the NFL, Joe Montana transitioned into the world of venture capital, leveraging his Bay Area connections to launch a successful career as a venture capitalist. Today, he is a co-founder and general partner of Liquid2 Ventures, a venture capital firm that has invested in some of the most successful tech companies of our time.

Some of the notable companies Liquid2 has invested in include Pinterest, Airbnb, Robinhood, and GitLab. GitLab, in particular, stands out as Liquid2’s biggest success story. In 2015, Joe and his partners invested $100,000 in GitLab when the company was valued at $12 million. By the time GitLab went public in October 2021, its market cap had soared to $15 billion, making Liquid2’s initial investment worth $63 million. With a portfolio that includes several pre-IPO unicorns, Liquid2 continues to thrive under Joe Montana’s leadership.

Personal Life: Family, Hobbies, and Philanthropy

Joe Montana’s personal life has been as colorful as his professional career. He was married twice before tying the knot with actress Jennifer Wallace in 1985. Together, they have four children: daughters Alexandra and Elizabeth, and sons Nathaniel and Nicholas, both of whom played football in high school and college. Montana has been vocal about his love for family and hobbies, including wine production and horse ownership.

In 1986, Joe underwent surgery to widen his spinal cavity and remove a ruptured disc, but his quick recovery allowed him to return to the field just 55 days later. He also has his own wine label, Montagia, produced in partnership with Beringer winemaker Ed Sbragia. Montana’s love for horses is evident in his ownership of several horses, with his favorite being named That Cool Cat.

Real Estate: A Life of Luxury

Joe Montana’s real estate portfolio reflects his success and taste for luxury. In 2009, he listed his 500-acre estate in Calistoga, California, for $49 million. This sprawling property features nearly 10,000 square feet of living space, including three bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms. The estate also boasts an olive grove, bocce court, basketball court, spa, skeet shooting range, stables, guest house, pool, private pond, and housing for the groundskeeper. Although originally listed as a holiday home, the property has seen several price reductions, most recently being listed for $24.5 million in 2021.

In addition to his Calistoga estate, Montana owns a different 87-acre ranch in Calistoga, which he purchased for $1.8 million in 1998 and later listed for $3.1 million in 2019. In 2015, he bought a San Francisco condo for $2.275 million and, in 2021, paid over $7 million for an oceanfront house in Malibu, California, further enhancing his impressive real