25 Rich Athletes Who Went Broke

by Drea Knufken May 18, 2009, 2:02 pm 405.1k Views

23. Evander Holyfield

4-time Heavyweight Champion of the World
Estimated lifetime earnings: $250 million

He had a deal with Diet Coke, a video game, the “Real deal” record label, the “Real Deal” grill, and appeared in numerous TV appearances and 3 films. Then, there was the dancing thing. One wonders how Holyfied had time to lose money. The answer: Children. Holyfield fathered 11 of them.

“I’m not broke; I’m just not liquid,” 45-year-old Holyfield claimed when he narrowly avoided charges that he was around $9,000 behind in court-ordered child support payments. The banks foreclosed on his $10 million dollar home. Even a landscaping firm says the former champ owes them $500k for yard work. Ever since Tyson bit his ear off, it seems everyone wants a piece of the Champ.

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23. Evander Holyfield

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Bjorn Borg Darren McCarty Deuce McAllister Dorothy Hamill Evander Holyfield Jack Clark Johnny Unitas Lawrence Taylor Leon Spinks Raghib "Rocket" Ismael Rollie Fingers Scott Eyre Scott Harrison Sheryl Swoopes toparticles Travis Henry

Written by Drea Knufken

Currently, I create and execute content- and PR strategies for clients, including thought leadership and messaging. I also ghostwrite and produce press releases, white papers, case studies and other collateral.