Once known as the rock star of professional tennis, Andre Agassi has spent his retirement spending time with his family, building his business and giving back to his community. Agassi was one of the greatest tennis players during the 1990s and early 2000s. At one point he was ranked #1 in the world. During his career, Agassi won more than 850 matches, won 60 titles and 8 Grand Slams. He even won a gold medal competing in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Agassi has a net worth of $175 million. This includes about $30 million in prize money throughout his professional tennis career, $25 million a year in product endorsements and money made from several business investments and ventures. Agassi also published a New York Times best selling autobiography “Open” in 2009 and filmed a 2017 documentary, “Love Means Zero” which chronicled his sometimes difficult relationship with his coach, Nick Bollettieri. Here’s how Andre Agassi achieved a net worth of $175 million.
Net Worth $175 Million Name Andre Kirk Agassi Age 49 Born Las Vegas, Nevada Birth Date April 29, 1970 Source of Wealth American Retired Professional Tennis Player Country United States
Childhood
Andre Agassi was born in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 29, 1970. He has three older siblings, Rita, Phillip, and Tomi. His mother Betty would appear with Andre in an ad for the popular “Got Milk?” campaign in the 1990s. His father, Emmanual was a former boxer who emigrated to the United States of America from Iran. Agassi’s dad encouraged his youngest child to play tennis and even built a court in their backyard. The young boy excelled at the sport. In 1982 he and his friend Roddy Parks won the National Indoor Boys Double Championship in Chicago. When he was just 13 years old, Andre’s dad sent him to Nick Bollettieri’s’ Tennis Academy in Florida. He was meant to stay for three months, but Bollettieri saw the boys potential and let him stay on for free. Unfortunately, this meant not going to high school which sometimes Agassi resented.
Pro Tennis Career
Andre Agassi became a professional tennis player when he was just 16 years old. He won his first tournament in La Quinta, California playing against John Austin. Agassi’s career took off quickly. He became one of the world’s best tennis players during his professional career through the 1990s and 2000s. His main rivals in singles tennis matches and tournaments were Pete Sampras, Boris Becker, Michael Chang, Pete Rafter, and Roger Federer. Agassi admitted in his autobiography that he hated playing professional tennis. It was difficult to have the spotlight and the pressure on all of the time. Yet he’s grateful for his career and his talent surely paid off. He had some difficult times during his career and admitted that losing his famous long hair was difficult and for a time got mixed up in drugs and a “rock star” lifestyle. In the end, it was a difficult decision to retire in 2006 but he had back problems and the pressure was difficult.
Retirement
Retirement didn’t stop Andre Agassi from being a part of tennis. Post-retirement he played in several charity tournaments. He was a guest commentator at the US Open in 2007 and played an exhibition doubles match with his wife that year. In 2009 Agassi played for the World Tennis Team, the Philadelphia Freedom. He also showed up at the French Open to present his formal rival, Roger Federer. He played in the Outback Olympic Series. Agassi played in several tournaments between 2012 through 2015. In 2017 Agassi returned to coach Novak Djokovic for the French Open.
Personal Life
During the 1990’s, Andre Agassi was popular with the woman. He once dated Barbara Streisand who was 28 years older than him. In 1997 he married actress Brooke Shields but they divorced two years later. Agassi married pro tennis player Steffi Graf on October 22, 2001, in their Las Vegas home with only their mothers as witnesses. The couple have two children, Jaden and Jaz. Although they are grateful for their careers, both Agassi and Graf felt pushed into tennis by their fathers. They don’t want to do this to their children who did try tennis but have other hobbies. Jaden will play baseball for the University of Southern California. Jaz enjoys horseback riding and dance. The Agassi live in the Summerlin community in the Las Vegas Valley.
Endorsements
Much of Andre Agassi’s wealth comes from endorsement deals during his 20 years playing professional tennis. Agassi used Prince Graphite rackets during his early career but switched to Donnay for a $7 million endorsement deal. In 1993 he signed a contract with Head. He endorsed Nike clothing and shoes for 17 years but switched to Adidas for a time. He returned to Nike in 2013. Agassi’s sponsors throughout his career included Dupont, Ebel, Mountain Dew, Mazda, Kia Motors, American Express, and Deutsch Bank. He had dealt with Stick, Aramis, TwinLab 24 Hour Fitness, Jacobs Creek and was a Brand Ambassador for Longines. Agassi and his wife Steffi Graf signed deals with Deutsch Telekom, Genworth Financial and Canon Inc.
Investments
Much of Andre Agassi’s wealth comes from investments and business opportunities. He and his wife established Agassi Ventures LLC. The company opened All-Star Café, a chain sports-themed restaurant with co-owners including Shaquille O’Neal, Joe Montana, Wayne Gretzky, Ken Griffey Jr., and Monica Seles. Agassi and Graf also own Agassi Graf Holdings and Agassi Graf Development Management. The company invested in a PURE nightclub at Caesars Palace, developed a hotel and condominium, the Fairmont Tamarack at the Tamarack Resort in Donnelly, Idaho and co-developed and designed Agassi-Graf Tennis and Fitness Centers with Steve Case. Agassi has invested in several start-up companies as well as Nevada First Bank, Golden Nugget, MGM Mirage, online ticket seller Viagogo and Wet ‘n’ Wild water parks in Las Vegas. Agassi is on the board of Meadows Bank.
Philanthropy
Although he is proud of his professional career, Agassi has regretted leaving school to pursue tennis. Much of his philanthropy involves helping at-risk children and providing opportunities for academics. Agassi is one of the most generous donators of time and money of athletes in his generation. In 1994 Agassi founded the Andre Agassi Charitable Association to help disadvantaged youths in Las Vegas. He was awarded the ATP Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award for his efforts. Agassi established the Boys and Girls Club which encourages children to pursue academics and sports including tennis and basketball. Other charitable pursuits include the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation, the Andre Agassi Cottage for Medically Fragile Children, the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education and building Dorel Academy West. In 2007 Agassi founded Athletes For Hope which encourages professional athletes to become more charities and encourage people to volunteer.
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