Roger Federer’s Lasting Partnerships Catapult Him to Tennis Billionaire Status

Tennis legend Roger Federer has entered the prestigious circle of billionaire athletes.

From 2003 to 2018, Federer clinched 20 Grand Slam titles and earned $130.6 million in prize money during his illustrious 24-year career, which concluded in 2022. However, a significant portion of the Swiss champion’s wealth comes from lucrative endorsement contracts and a smart investment in a local sneaker brand.

According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, his net worth is around $1.3 billion, placing him alongside sports greats. Michael Jordan achieved a net worth of $3.5 billion after selling his stake in the Charlotte Hornets in 2023, and Bloomberg estimated Tiger Woods’ fortune at approximately $1.36 billion last year.

Insiders suggest Federer’s net worth may actually exceed $1 billion. Bloomberg’s calculations take into account his career earnings, investments, and endorsement deals, adjusted for Swiss taxation and market factors.

Many of Federer’s endorsement deals have endured for years, featuring partnerships with Credit Suisse (now UBS Group AG), Rolex, and Swiss chocolatier Lindt & Sprungli AG. He has also built a strong advisory network, particularly through Team8, the management company he co-founded in 2013 with longtime agent Tony Godsick, along with Swiss firm Format A AG, which aids in managing his investments and philanthropic efforts.

“Federer is completely scandal-free. He never puts a foot wrong,” commented sports analyst Bob Dorfman. “He isn’t like John McEnroe with his fiery temperament. When it comes to marketability, he is one of the most marketable figures in tennis.”

Federer’s most rewarding agreements were established later in his career.

In 2018, his long-term contract with Nike, initially signed in 1996, was due for renewal. With tennis not being a primary focus for Nike, Godsick searched for other potential partners. Uniqlo, a well-known brand under Japan’s Fast Retailing Co., offered a $300 million, 10-year deal, positioning Federer as one of its key sports ambassadors. At 37 and approaching retirement, this deal had no restrictions, even if he stopped competing—it was an easy choice for him.

However, that wasn’t Federer’s most lucrative agreement. That distinction belongs to his investment after discovering the Swiss brand On, which his wife found by purchasing a pair of their sneakers. With limited sports brands in Switzerland, where On was founded in 2010, the company quickly earned acclaim for its premium running shoes characterized by a unique sole design featuring more voids than rubber, inspired by a prototype developed by co-founder Olivier Bernhard, a former professional Ironman.

Unlike Nike, Federer had the freedom to seek a footwear sponsor, as Uniqlo does not produce shoes. An avid sneaker collector with over 250 pairs (excluding those he wore for play), Federer reached out to On’s founders for a dinner in Zurich. Godsick had previously invested in the brand as well. Ultimately, Federer acquired approximately a 3% share in On Holding AG and contributed to designing his own footwear with the company.

Presently, On is valued at nearly $17 billion, making Federer’s stake worth at least $500 million, according to Bloomberg’s index.

Federer has skillfully avoided overexposure by steering clear of commentary roles or questionable endorsements. He recently waved the French flag to mark the start of the Le Mans endurance car race and unveiled a new Uniqlo clothing line in Paris. He is also expected to be present at Wimbledon—where he has achieved some of his most significant victories—when it starts next week.

© 2025 Bloomberg

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