I blew $200 million on cars and parties – now I’ve made the ultimate comeback with Shaq’s $2.5 billion empire
Allen Iverson earned $155 million during his 17-year NBA career but his fast lifestyle off the court saw him blow through the money.
Thankfully, he was offered a lifeline and is now building for the future — in golf of all places.
4
Iverson was one of the most naturally gifted NBA playersIn 2012, The Washington Post claimed Iverson told his then wife Tawanna Turner that he couldn’t afford a cheeseburger during divorce proceedings. He filed for bankruptcy that year.
Including endorsements, Iverson is believed to have earned more than $200million at this point in his career.
But his spending habits meant he was unable to keep up.
The former Denver Nuggets guard boasted a collection of luxury cars, which included a Lamborghini Murcielago, Mercedes Maybach 57S, and Bentley Continental GT.
MORE NBA NEWSHe infamously gave the Bentley to rookie Philadelphia 76ers teammate Larry Hughes on a whim in 1998.
āLarry is standing there, and heās in thisā¦ daze,” Iverson wrote in a Players’ Tribune article.
“Heās in a Bentley daze. Just looking at itā¦and then looking at meā¦and then heās just, like, āYoā¦.. AI. I have to get me one of these.ā
āI donāt even hesitate. āBro, you can have mine.āā
Hilariously, the Bentley’s tank was empty, leaving Hughes stranded in West Philadelphia for hours in what he thinks was a hazing prank to this day.
Hughes shared what it was like being introduced to Iverson as a rookie.
4
Iverson was known for his time in Philadelphia, but had a couple good seasons with Denver at the endCredit: Getty
4
His car collection was a sight to beholdāWhen I came into the league, we had a lockout, so we werenāt necessarily getting NBA checks, but if you had any endorsements, obviously those things were still happening,” he told Hoops Hype in 2020.
“So when I went to the bank, I went to the ATM machine, and I put my card in and got a couple of dollars out for the day.
“But I went to the bank with Allen Iverson one day; he didnāt go to the ATM. He didnāt go into the bank to talk to the teller either. He actually went into the vault.
āThis was really the first interaction I had with someone who had a lot of money.
“When they gave Allen his money, it was still wrapped in plastic, and that was something completely different than Iād ever seen.ā
Iverson, who also played for the Detroit Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies, was famously generous and Fox Sports claimed he supported an entourage of around 50 people at one point.
Most lucrative NBA contracts
1 Jayson Tatum, Celtics: Five years, $314 million
2 Jaylen Brown, Celtics: Five years, $285 million
3 Nikola Jokic, Nuggets: Five years, $276 million
4 Bradley Beal, Suns: Five years, $251 million
5= Anthony Edwards, Wolves: Five years, $244 million
5= Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers: Five years, $244 million
His passion for fashion and luxury jewelry added to his financial struggles.
Another ex-Philly teammate, Matt Barnes, told Sports Illustrated that Iverson would often drop sums at strip clubs.
āHeād throw US$30,000, US$40,000 every time we went,ā Barnes said.
āIām like, āYou realise what I can do with this money?āā
Thankfully, Iverson — nicknamed The Answer for his resourcefulness on the court — has managed to turn things around.
“I didnāt have a plan. I was 21 years old. I was on the fly. I never had money before in my life,ā he told Afrotech.
Allen Iverson broke down in tears after reunion with teammate who tried to protect him
Possibly the best decision Iverson ever made was his partnership with Reebok.
The lifetime deal saw him receive a yearly income of $800,000 – and he will scoop a $32million trust fund when he turns 55 in six years.
He joined the sportswear brand as vice-president of the basketball division last year.
His president is NBA iconĀ Shaquille OāNeal.
Essentially Sports reports that Iverson is working with ex-NBA star Al Harrington – the founder of cannabis company Viola – and launched his own strain.
Iverson’s net worth is estimated at $1million.
4
Shaquille OāNeal and Iverson work together for ReebokAnd while that figure is a long way off the fortune he lost, things are pointing in the right direction for the gifted athlete and budding entrepreneur.
Reebok, which was bought for around $2.5billion by Authentic Brands Group in 2021 is now releasing a golf range.
The Nano Golf has been worn by LIV Golf superstar Bryson DeChambeau.
Read More on talkSPORT”It’s an honor to usher in Reebok’s return to golf with the debut of the Nano Golf, a performance golf shoe that offers premium performance support while focusing on innovation and style to expand the sport to new athletes,” said Crushers GC captain Bryson DeChambeau.
The Question Golf, which retails at $180, pays homage to Iverson and his Question basketball silhouette.
