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Despite not playing in four years, Peyton Manning still brings in the most dollars from marketing and royalties. Manning earned roughly $3.4 million in the year ending on Feb. 29, according to the NFL Players Association’s annual report to the Department of Labor.
The report highlights how much players earn from group licensing, which are deals with six or more players. The bulk of that money comes from companies like Electronic Arts, Nike, Fanatics, and Panini.
The fact that Manning can out-earn active players when it comes to jersey sales and the value of his face on trading cards and in video games is partly due to his efforts to maintain his public-facing persona during retirement. That ranges from marketing deals with companies like Nationwide, appearances like ‘The Match,’ and shows like ESPN+’s “Peyton’s Place.” The NFLPA figures don’t include individual endorsements, like Manning’s with Nationwide.
Tom Brady was close behind Manning, bringing in roughly $3 million. It’s likely that Patrick Mahomes – who was third with $2.8 million – will supplant Manning as the top earner. Mahomes, just 24, has an MVP trophy and Super Bowl ring to go along with his new $500 million contract.
- Peyton Manning – $3,357,808
- Tom Brady – $2,998,276
- Patrick Mahomes – $2,784,255
- Dak Prescott – $2,564,979
- Saquon Barkley – $2,340,140
- JuJu Smith-Schuster – $2,193,077
- Kyler Murray – $1,812,028
- Aaron Rodgers – $1,453,474
- Todd Gurley – $1,263,984
- Baker Mayfield – $1,139,768
