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Joe Namath Net Worth

$25 million
Former professional football quarterback (AFL/NFL)

Quick Facts

Full Name Joseph William Namath
Net Worth $25 million
Profession Former professional football quarterback (AFL/NFL)
Date of Birth May 31, 1943
Nationality American
Height 6'2" (1.88 m)
Spouse/Partner Deborah Mays (m. 1984–2000)
Children 2 daughters: Jessica Namath (b. 1986), Olivia Namath (b. 1991)

Biography

Joe Namath has an estimated net worth of $25 million. Known universally as “Broadway Joe,” Namath is a former professional football quarterback who played primarily for the New York Jets in the American Football League (AFL) and NFL from 1965 to 1977. He is best remembered for guaranteeing — and then delivering — a Super Bowl III victory over the heavily favored Baltimore Colts in 1969, one of the most dramatic upsets in professional sports history.

Updated March 2026: According to Sports Illustrated, Namath, who turned 82 in May 2025, remains a celebrated figure in football history, with his Super Bowl III legacy continuing to be commemorated in national sports media. His net worth is estimated at $25 million, built through his playing career, endorsements, acting work, and business ventures.

Early Life and Education

Joseph William Namath was born on May 31, 1943, in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. A multi-sport athlete in high school, he excelled in baseball, basketball, and football. He accepted a scholarship to the University of Alabama, where he played under legendary coach Bear Bryant and led the Crimson Tide to a national championship in 1964. Namath’s college career made him one of the most coveted prospects in the country, leading to a bidding war between the NFL’s St. Louis Cardinals and the AFL’s New York Jets.

Football Career

Namath signed with the New York Jets in 1965 for a then-record rookie contract of $427,000 over three years — a deal that legitimized the AFL as a competing league to the NFL. He was named AFL Rookie of the Year in 1965 and became the first quarterback in professional football history to throw for 4,000 yards in a single season, accomplishing the feat in 1967. His most iconic moment came at Super Bowl III in January 1969, when he publicly guaranteed victory over the Baltimore Colts despite the Jets being 18-point underdogs. The Jets won 16–7, and Namath was named Super Bowl MVP. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985. Namath also briefly played for the Los Angeles Rams in 1977 before retiring. Per Wikipedia, he made multiple AFL/AFC All-Star and Pro Bowl selections throughout his career.

How Joe Namath Built His $25 Million Fortune

  • Record-breaking contracts: Namath’s 1965 rookie deal at $427,000 was the largest in professional football history at the time. By 1975, he signed a two-year deal with the Jets worth $900,000 — approximately $450,000 per year — per historical reports cited by Wikipedia.
  • Endorsement empire: At his peak in the mid-1970s, Namath earned an estimated $1 million per year from endorsements alone. His deals included Ovaltine, Noxzema (famous TV commercials), Hanes pantyhose, and later Medicare supplement insurance advertisements.
  • Acting and television: Namath appeared in films and television throughout his playing career and after retirement, including roles in Norwood (1970) and guest appearances on numerous TV programs, per IMDb.
  • Restaurant ownership: Namath co-owns Charlie & Joe’s at Love Street in Jupiter, Florida, a waterfront dining and entertainment venue, per the Palm Beach Post.
  • Real estate: Namath owns a waterfront home in Tequesta, Florida on the Loxahatchee River — approximately 6,000 sq ft with 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a boat dock, pool, and roughly 1.5 acres.

Personal Life

Namath was one of the most eligible bachelors in New York City during his playing days, earning the “Broadway Joe” nickname for his lifestyle and social presence. He married actress Deborah Mays in 1984; the couple divorced in 2000. They have two daughters: Jessica Namath (born 1986) and Olivia Namath (born 1991). Following retirement from football, Namath battled alcohol dependency and entered rehabilitation in the early 2000s. He has been sober since 2004 and has spoken openly about his recovery. In 2012, he was publicly embarrassed when he appeared intoxicated during a sideline interview at an NFL game, which he later addressed as a relapse moment. He resides in Tequesta, Florida. He mourned the passing of his Alabama teammate Lee Roy Jordan, who died in 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Joe Namath’s net worth?

Joe Namath’s net worth is estimated at $25 million. His wealth was built through his record-setting NFL/AFL contracts, endorsement deals that earned him approximately $1 million per year at peak, acting work, and ongoing business ventures including restaurant co-ownership in Jupiter, Florida.

Who is Joe Namath’s wife?

Joe Namath was married to actress Deborah Mays from 1984 until their divorce in 2000. He has not remarried since. Prior to his marriage, Namath was known for high-profile relationships with actresses and socialites in New York City during the height of his fame in the late 1960s and 1970s.

How old is Joe Namath?

Joe Namath was born on May 31, 1943, in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He is 82 years old as of March 2026. He attended the University of Alabama and won a national championship under coach Bear Bryant before being drafted by the New York Jets.

How tall is Joe Namath?

Joe Namath stands 6 feet 2 inches tall (1.88 m). His size and arm strength, combined with his quick release, made him one of the most effective passers of his era despite the pocket-passing demands of the AFL and early AFL-NFL merger era.

What is Joe Namath famous for?

Joe Namath is most famous for guaranteeing a New York Jets victory at Super Bowl III in January 1969 — when the Jets were 18-point underdogs to the Baltimore Colts — and then delivering on that guarantee with a 16–7 victory. He was named Super Bowl MVP. He was also the first quarterback to pass for 4,000 yards in a single season (1967) and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.

Does Joe Namath have children?

Joe Namath has two daughters with his ex-wife Deborah Mays: Jessica Namath (born 1986) and Olivia Namath (born 1991). Both daughters have maintained relatively private lives compared to their father’s public profile.

Where does Joe Namath live?

Joe Namath lives in Tequesta, Florida, where he owns a waterfront property on the Loxahatchee River. The home is approximately 6,000 square feet with a boat dock, pool, and roughly 1.5 acres of land. He also co-owns Charlie & Joe’s at Love Street, a restaurant in nearby Jupiter, Florida.