Why They Rank
Piston Group generates $3B+ in annual revenue. One of the largest African-American-owned businesses in the US. Built from $8M in NBA earnings. Championship-winning shot in 1990 Finals.
The Fortune
Vinnie Johnson earned approximately $8 million in his NBA career as a key contributor on the Detroit Pistons' back-to-back championship teams in 1989 and 1990. Known as 'The Microwave' for his ability to heat up quickly off the bench, he hit the championship-winning shot in Game 5 of the 1990 Finals. But Johnson's real legacy is the Piston Group, an automotive manufacturing and supply chain company he founded in 1995.
The Piston Group has grown into one of the largest African-American-owned businesses in the United States, with annual revenue exceeding $3 billion. The company supplies parts and assemblies to General Motors, Ford, and other major automakers, and employs over 4,000 workers across multiple manufacturing facilities. Johnson's company benefited from Detroit's automotive ecosystem and his own operational discipline.
Johnson's net worth of $400 million makes him one of the wealthiest former NBA players in history, despite never being a star during his playing career. His story, like Junior Bridgeman's, demonstrates that post-career business success can dwarf athletic earnings, particularly for athletes who identify opportunities in industries they understand.
Wealth Source
Piston Group automotive supplier, NBA career
Top Endorsements
Fun Facts
Johnson's Piston Group generates more revenue per year than the entire Detroit Pistons franchise is worth.
He named his company 'Piston Group' as a nod to the team where he won his championships -- the Detroit Pistons.
His championship-winning shot in the 1990 Finals was a 14-foot jumper with 0.7 seconds left, one of the most clutch shots in NBA Finals history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the richest athlete of all time?
Michael Jordan is the richest athlete of all time with an estimated net worth of $3.5 billion. His wealth comes primarily from the Jordan Brand, the sale of the Charlotte Hornets, and decades of endorsement deals. His NBA playing salary was just $94 million -- a fraction of his total fortune.
How do athletes build wealth beyond their playing salary?
The wealthiest athletes build wealth through endorsement deals, equity stakes in companies, brand ownership, franchise ownership, venture capital, and real estate. The key insight is taking equity over flat endorsement fees whenever possible -- turning short-term fame into long-term compounding assets.
Which athletes are billionaires?
As of 2026, four athletes have confirmed billionaire status: Michael Jordan ($3.5B), Tiger Woods ($1.3B), LeBron James ($1.2B), and Magic Johnson ($1.2B). Several others are approaching the threshold, including Arnold Palmer's estate ($875M), Lionel Messi ($650M), and Michael Schumacher ($600M).
Get Glen’s Updates
Investing insights, new tools, and whatever I’m building this week. Free. No spam.
Unsubscribe anytime. I respect your inbox more than Congress respects property rights.
Keep Exploring
Top 25 Richest Athletes
See the full ranked list of the wealthiest athletes of all time.
Read moreTop 25 Basketball Players
The greatest basketball players of all time, ranked.
Read moreBillionaires & Icons
Profiles of the world's most successful investors and builders.
Read moreGreatest Trades Ever
The most legendary investment decisions in financial history.
Read moreTop 25 Value Investors
The greatest value investors of all time, ranked.
Read moreCelebrity Superpowers
Every celebrity has a superpower. We identified all of them.
Read more