Manti Te'o Net Worth 2025: The Truth Behind His NFL Fortune

Manti Te'o's net worth sits at $3.5 million. The former linebacker built substantial wealth during his NFL career, even after a notorious catfishing scandal shook his public image. His professional football career brought in around $10.4 million in total salary.

A closer look at Te'o's earnings reveals some notable patterns. The New Orleans Saints paid him his highest salary of $1.7 million back in 2018. The NFL draft saw him picked 38th overall in the second round. 

His draft position might have been better if not for the infamous hoax that surrounded his personal life. Te'o pushed through these obstacles and played for several teams, including the San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints, and Chicago Bears.

Let's explore the numbers behind Te'o's finances and see how the catfishing scandal affected his earning potential. His story takes us from his days as a Notre Dame star through his NFL career and beyond.

Manti Te’o’s Net Worth in 2025: The Real Figure

Manti Te'o's net worth stands at roughly $3.5 million in 2025, according to analysts. This amount comes from his NFL career earnings, smart investments, and business ventures after football. While some NFL stars might have bigger bank accounts, Te'o has built impressive wealth during his seven-year career despite facing unique challenges.

The numbers tell an interesting story about Te'o's financial experience. His NFL career brought in about $10.4 million from different teams. The San Diego Chargers gave him his first big break after picking him 38th overall in the 2013 NFL Draft. That contract set him up nicely, though the infamous catfishing scandal probably cost him a higher draft spot and bigger rookie paycheck.

Te'o's earnings followed a path similar to many NFL players who deal with injuries and team changes. His biggest payday came with the New Orleans Saints in 2018, when he earned $1.7 million. A later move to the Chicago Bears added more to his total before he said goodbye to professional football.

Money experts say Te'o handles his finances better than most former athletes. He's managed to keep much of what he earned through smart money choices. Many NFL players go broke soon after retiring, but Te'o's steady net worth shows he knows how to manage his money.

Te'o has found new ways to make money since leaving football. The Netflix documentary "Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn't Exist" brought in extra cash and helped fix his public image. He now makes money from sports media appearances, speaking events, and business deals.

Real estate plays a big part in Te'o's money strategy. He invests in properties, especially in his home state of Hawaii through HI 5 Homes. These investments, plus possible stakes in tech startups, match what financial advisors tell pro athletes to do with their money.

Te'o's current net worth makes more sense when you factor in the usual costs. Agent fees take 3% of NFL contracts, taxes eat up 40-50% of earnings, and living expenses add up over time. These numbers help explain how $10.4 million in career earnings became his current net worth.

Te'o's money story stands out because it shows true grit. The catfishing scandal cost him millions in draft value, but he still built serious wealth. His smart move into business and media shows he knows how to adapt. Current athletes can learn from how he planned his financial future beyond sports.

NFL Career Timeline and Contracts

Manti Te'o's NFL trip lasted seven seasons with three teams, and his contracts ended up shaping his current net worth. His path from college star to NFL linebacker shows his athletic talent and ability to overcome challenges.

College success at Notre Dame

Before his NFL career, Te'o became one of college football's most decorated defensive players at Notre Dame from 2009 to 2012. His college stats were remarkable—he racked up 437 total tackles, making him third in the school's history. Te'o's senior year in 2012 was exceptional. He made 113 tackles and grabbed seven interceptions.

Awards came pouring in during his final season. Te'o won almost every major defensive award, including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Butkus Award, and Lombardi Award. His outstanding performance earned him a spot as a Heisman Trophy finalist. He ended up second in voting behind Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel.

Draft day and rookie contract with Chargers

Many expected Te'o to be a first-round pick, but the San Diego Chargers selected him as the 38th overall pick in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He signed his rookie contract on May 9, 2013—a four-year deal worth over $5 million. The contract guaranteed more than $3.1 million and included a $2.14 million signing bonus.

Te'o's rookie year started rough. A right foot injury in his preseason opener against Seattle kept him out of the remaining preseason games and season opener. He bounced back and made his NFL debut in week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys, recording three tackles.

Injuries and transitions between teams

Injuries became a constant challenge during Te'o's time with the Chargers. After 61 tackles in his rookie season, a foot injury sidelined him for six games in his second year. Te'o posted his best numbers in 2015 with 83 tackles, but an ankle injury forced him to miss four mid-season games.

The 2016 season brought more bad news. Despite being named one of the Chargers' team captains, Te'o tore his Achilles tendon in September. This injury ended his season after just two games.

Te'o moved to the New Orleans Saints with a two-year contract on March 21, 2017. His Saints career started strong—he led the team in tackles for loss during the 2017 season. His playing time dropped in 2018, and he stayed on the bench for all but five games.

Final season with the Chicago Bears

Te'o's NFL career ended with the Chicago Bears. He joined their practice squad on October 20, 2020. His last NFL game was on January 9, 2021, when the Bears raised him to the active roster for their wild card playoff loss against his old team, the Saints.

Te'o's seven NFL seasons included 62 games with 48 starts. He recorded 307 tackles, 22 tackles-for-loss, 13 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, 1.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery. His career mixed moments of brilliance with injury setbacks, showing his determination that helped build the financial foundation for his current ventures and net worth.

Manti Te’o’s Career Earnings and Salary Breakdown

Manti Te'o earned $10.4 million during his seven-year NFL career. These earnings now serve as the foundation of his current net worth. His career earnings tell an interesting story that goes beyond just his performance on the field.

Total NFL salary over 7 seasons

The San Diego Chargers gave Te'o his biggest payday with a four-year rookie contract worth $5.17 million. This deal included $3.1 million in guaranteed money and a $2.14 million signing bonus. His rookie contract made up almost half of what he earned throughout his career.

Te'o moved on to play for the New Orleans Saints where he signed a two-year contract worth about $3.5 million. He finished his NFL journey with the Chicago Bears in 2020-2021. His time there as a practice squad member added a modest amount to his total earnings.

Highest-paid seasons and signing bonuses

Te'o's most profitable season came in 2018 with the Saints when he earned $1.7 million. The $2.14 million signing bonus from the Chargers turned out to be his biggest single paycheck. He received this money right after signing his rookie contract.

His yearly salary changed based on how his contracts were structured and whether he hit performance targets. Te'o's earnings followed a typical NFL pattern - a big rookie contract followed by smaller deals as injuries limited his playing time and performance.

Comparison with projected first-round earnings

The catfishing scandal hit Te'o's wallet hard. Before the scandal broke, he was expected to be a first-round draft pick. First-round linebackers from the 2013 draft class typically got contracts between $7.5-9 million with $4-5 million guaranteed. This is a big deal as it means that Te'o's actual rookie contract fell well short of these numbers.

Dropping from a potential mid-first round pick to the 38th overall selection cost Te'o somewhere between $2-4 million on his rookie deal alone. First-round picks usually get more chances to prove themselves and develop, which can lead to better second contracts.

Endorsements and sponsorships

Te'o landed some endorsement deals early in his career, with Bose headphones being the most notable. Public records show these opportunities dried up quickly after the catfishing scandal made headlines. While many NFL stars make good money from endorsements, Te'o's off-field earnings stayed relatively low throughout his playing days.

Te'o's financial story shows how public perception and draft position can shape an athlete's earning potential. Even though he played in the NFL for seven years - something few players achieve - factors beyond his control limited his earning power.

The Catfishing Scandal and Its Financial Impact

The catfishing scandal surrounding Manti Te'o in 2013 turned into one of sports' strangest controversies. His estimated NFL earnings took an $8 million hit. This financial blow changed the course of his net worth.

How the hoax unfolded

Te'o reached the peak of his Notre Dame football career in 2012. He shared news that touched the nation's heart - his grandmother and girlfriend Lennay Kekua had died within hours of each other. This emotional story helped drive his Heisman-finalist season and Notre Dame's perfect regular season. The truth came as a shock: Kekua wasn't real.

Deadspin revealed in January 2013 that Te'o's girlfriend was made up. They discovered he had fallen victim to a hoax by Ronaiah Tuiasosopo (now known as Naya, a transgender woman). Te'o had spent years talking online with someone who used stolen photos and created a fake identity - something we now call "catfishing".

Media backlash and draft stock drop

Te'o's image changed from beloved college football star to national joke overnight. The media storm reached new heights - Saturday Night Live made fun of him, memes spread everywhere, and he ended up on the list of "America's Most Disliked Athletes" next to Tiger Woods and Lance Armstrong. Sports experts who once praised his inspiring story now doubted his judgment.

NFL insiders saw the scandal as devastating. One NFL player said: "Don't think the casual or even hard-core draft people understand how big this is. Could be devastating. Like worse than finding injury/illness". This scandal pushed Te'o from a likely top-10 pick down to 38th place.

Estimated losses from second-round draft

Money-wise, the damage was huge. A fifth overall pick would have earned Te'o about $20 million with half guaranteed. His actual contract at 38th brought only $5 million with $2 million guaranteed - an $8 million loss. Sports economist Patrick Rishe pointed out: "Even if he plays 10 years in the league, this is millions over the first four years that he never gets back".

Public redemption through Netflix documentary

Netflix's 2022 documentary "Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn't Exist" gave Te'o a chance to tell his side of the story after nearly ten years. The film became Netflix's second most-watched movie after release, bringing waves of public support.

Many journalists expressed regret about their coverage after watching the documentary. Sports Illustrated's Pat Forde wrote: "Manti Te'o was the victim of a terrible hoax and still paid the biggest price for it. Not a great chapter in American media annals". 

Te'o managed to keep a positive outlook about his financial losses, saying: "Why am I gonna stress about that? Yes, [there were] millions of dollars that [were] potentially lost, but what was meant for me was meant for me".

Life After the NFL: Business, Media, and Advocacy

Since leaving the NFL, I've built multiple income streams through business ventures, media roles, and public speaking opportunities that have contributed to my net worth of $3.5 million.

Real estate ventures and HI 5 Homes

The real estate market became my primary focus after football. My 6-year-old company, HI 5 Homes, LLC, operates as a real estate investment firm in San Diego where I serve as CEO. I also co-founded Ohana Homes and Investing to build strong networks with real estate agents, contractors, and investors. My property portfolio now spans across San Diego and Hawaii.

Tech startup investments

My investment portfolio reaches beyond real estate into promising tech companies. Several startups have caught my attention, and I've invested in GrubMarket (food delivery), Jaunt (virtual reality), an unnamed ride-sharing application, and a mobile gaming platform. A telehealth provider serving athletes, Transcend, became part of my portfolio in 2022.

Role on NFL Network and media appearances

NFL Network viewers now see me as an on-air commentator and analyst. "Good Morning Football" features me regularly, where I bring "positive energy" to the show. My media presence grew when I worked as a studio analyst for Netflix's Christmas Day NFL doubleheader with Mina Kimes and Robert Griffin III.

Public speaking on mental health and resilience

The speaking circuit has become another platform where I share messages about mental health, forgiveness, and resilience. Speaking engagements bring in between $15,000 and $25,000 per event.

Conclusion

Manti Te'o's net worth reaches $3.5 million in 2025, which shows his financial resilience despite the obstacles that shaped his NFL trip. My seven-year career brought in about $10.4 million—substantially less than the $18-20 million I could have earned if the catfishing scandal hadn't impacted my draft position. 

Notwithstanding that, this money allowed me to build lasting wealth through mutually beneficial alliances.

My financial story reflects my personal life—full of setbacks but shaped by determination. The notorious hoax cost me roughly $8 million in potential earnings after I dropped from a likely top-10 pick to the 38th selection. My NFL earnings came from the Chargers, Saints, and Bears, with 2018 being my best year at $1.7 million.

Life after football brought success through multiple income streams. My work with HI 5 Homes and real estate investments created substantial value. My tech startup investments, NFL Network appearances, and talks about mental health have added more revenue sources.

Many former players don't deal very well with money after retirement, but I managed to keep most of my career earnings through smart financial planning. The Netflix documentary "Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn't Exist" helped rebuild my public image and likely brought in extra revenue.

This unique financial story teaches one clear lesson—the catfishing scandal might have temporarily hurt my earning potential, but it never determined my final outcome. My current net worth reflects more than just my on-field earnings—it shows the resilience, adaptability, and business sense I showed throughout my career and beyond.

FAQs

Q1. What is Manti Te'o's current net worth? 

Manti Te'o's net worth is estimated at $3.5 million as of 2025, reflecting his NFL earnings and post-football ventures.

Q2. How much did Manti Te'o earn during his NFL career? 

Throughout his seven-year NFL career, Manti Te'o accumulated approximately $10.4 million in total earnings.

Q3. How did the catfishing scandal impact Manti Te'o's finances? 

The catfishing scandal significantly affected Te'o's draft position, potentially costing him around $8 million in his initial NFL contract.

Q4. What was Manti Te'o's highest-earning NFL season? 

Te'o's most lucrative NFL season came in 2018 with the New Orleans Saints, when he earned approximately $1.7 million.

Q5. What are Manti Te'o's main sources of income after his NFL career? 

Post-NFL, Te'o has diversified his income through real estate ventures, tech startup investments, media appearances on NFL Network, and public speaking engagements.