Chad Johnson Net Worth: From $47 Million in NFL Salaries to a $40,000 Child Support Lawsuit—What Happened to the Cheapest Athlete?
Chad Johnson once said, “Money looks better coming in than it does going out.” Honestly, he couldn’t be more suitable.
Chad isn’t your typical sports superstar who enjoys flexing their lavish lifestyle. He admitted to being the cheapest athlete in the world, not because he can’t afford luxury, but because he doesn’t see the point.
Instead of trying to impress anyone, Chad spends his money wisely and saves. So, did his penny-pinching ways pay off? How much is Chad Johnson net worth these days? Please keep reading—you might learn a tip or two!
What Is Chad Johnson’s Net Worth?
Chad Johnson, who adopted the nickname “Ochocinco” to match his jersey number 85, is worth $15 million despite earning nearly $47 million in salaries throughout his NFL career.
That might seem like a huge discrepancy, but remember, it doesn’t account for everything he owns or owes.
As revealed by Chad in episode 15 of the Full Send podcast, he had $15 million sitting in his bank account as of 2021. That was just his liquid assets at that time—still a decent nest egg for a former NFL player if you ask me.
Since retiring from the NFL, Chad has remained in the public eye. He has pursued acting, appeared on TV shows, and even had a brief stint as a semi-professional soccer player. An avid video gamer, Chad has his own iPhone app called “Mad Chad.”
NFL Career Earnings and Other Pursuits
Chad is a former NFL wide receiver who played for 11 seasons in the league. He spent ten seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals after being drafted in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft.
He made six Pro Bowls, was named First-Team All-Pro four times, and set numerous franchise records. The Bengals paid him over $45.7 million in salaries and bonuses.
Chad also briefly joined the New England Patriots, the Montreal Alouettes for the Canadian Football League, and Fundidores de Monterrey.
Dramatically, he had signed a three-year contract with the New England Patriots. However, due to poor performance, he was released by the team after just one year. A few days later, he was signed by the Miami Dolphins but was let go a month later after being arrested for domestic violence in 2012.
Besides his football career, below are his other lucrative ventures over the years:
- Made the cover of EA’s NFL Street 3 and narrated tutorials (2006)
- Competed in season 10 of “Dancing With the Stars” and made it to the final four alongside Cheryl Burke (2010)
- Voiced himself in a Squidbillies episode and appeared in Monica’s music video for “Everything to Me” (2010)
- Joined PETA’s “Ink Not Mink” ad campaign (2010)
- Starred in VH1’s reality dating show, “Ochocinso: The Ultimate Catch” (2010)
- Had a segment on Sports Soup called “Child, Please” (2011)
- Featured in a pistachio commercial (2010–2011)
- Guested on WeTV’s “Marriage Bootcamp Reality Stars: Family Edition” (2017)
- Fought Brian Maxwell on the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Logan Paul undercard (2021)
Lifestyle Choices
If there’s one word that best describes Chad Johnson, it’s frugal. During the first two years of his NFL career, he practically lived in the Cincinnati Bengals’ stadium. He saw no need to rent or buy a house when he had access to all the essentials: couch, TV, cafeteria, and shower.
Even when he finally moved out, he got a one-bedroom apartment near the facility. He wore fake jewelry from Claire’s, questioning the need to spend $50,000 on a watch when “time is free.”
Instead of flying first class or chartering private jets, he flew on budget airlines, only paying extra on the exit row for more legroom. Chad claims he saved 80–83% of his NFL salaries due to his spending habits.
Even now, Chad does his fiancée Sharelle Rosado’s hair and nails at home to save money. He has never splurged on fancy cars or designer clothes or spoiled his eight children with expensive gifts.
One area where he doesn’t skimp, though, is tipping. For instance, he left a $1,000 tip on a $416 bill at a Cincinnati restaurant. Also, the self-proclaimed cheapskate did blow 500 grand during his last birthday to experience what it was like.
Personal Life
Chad Johnson began dating Evelyn Lozada in early 2010 and proposed to her in November. They tied the knot in July 2012. However, Johnson was arrested for domestic violence on August 11, 2012, and just three days later, Lozada filed for divorce, which was finalized in September 2012.
Afterward, Johnson connected with LaTosha Rosado through Instagram, and they publicly announced their relationship in November 2020. The following year, the couple revealed they were expecting their first child together. Their daughter, Serenity, was born in January 2022.
Johnson and Rosado now have a blended family, including Rosado’s three children from a previous relationship, Johnson’s seven children from past relationships, and their daughter, Serenity.
Financial Challenges
In 2012, Chad Johnson was sued by the mother of one of his children for owing close to $40,000 in back child support payments.
Court evidence showed the ex-NFL player was bleeding money. He was reportedly losing around $46,000 in child support on a $3,000 income every month. At that point, his assets were still valued at $4.7 million.
In 2016, he also lost his six-bedroom, four-bathroom mansion in Miami Gardens to foreclosure after defaulting on a $150,000 loan. The property is currently listed for about $1.1 million.
Despite these setbacks, Chad has since recovered and rebounded financially.
What Is Chad Johnson Doing Now?
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Chad Johnson co-hosts the late-night sports podcast “Nightcap” with NFL legend Shannon Sharpe. Earlier this year, he confirmed on social media that he’s officially joining the Raiders’ coaching staff.
Chad—a massive fan of Big Mac (no onions and extra cheese)—also in Cincinnati, Miami, and Indiana.
Wrapping Up
Chad Johnson’s net worth teaches us that being “cheap” can make you rich in the long run. The big guy changed what it means to be a successful athlete, focusing on keeping his wealth rather than showing it off.
