Fran Tarkenton Net Worth 2024: Business Ventures, Earnings, and Wealth

Discover how Fran Tarkenton, a former NFL legend, accumulated his impressive wealth through smart business ventures and investments.

Let’s dive into the financial journey that has shaped his net worth in 2024.

Fran Tarkenton Quick Facts

What is the Net Worth Of Fran Tarkenton in 2024?

As of 2024, Fran Tarkenton’s net worth is estimated at $300 million. His fortune stems from his successful NFL career, business ventures, and strategic investments. Compared to other notable figures, Tarkenton’s wealth is considerable.

• Roger Staubach
• Tom Brady
• Peyton Manning
• Roger Goodell

Overview of Fran Tarkenton

Francis Asbury Tarkenton, born February 3, 1940, is a former NFL quarterback, known as “the Scrambler.” He played 18 seasons, primarily with the Minnesota Vikings, after being drafted in the third round of the 1961 NFL draft.

Tarkenton’s career included thirteen non-consecutive seasons with the Vikings and a stint with the New York Giants.

He retired, holding numerous quarterback records, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1987.

Post-football, he became a media personality and founded Tarkenton Software.

Early life and education

Fran Tarkenton, born on February 3, 1940, in Richmond, Virginia, was the son of a Methodist minister.

He attended Athens High School and the University of Georgia, where he became the quarterback for the Bulldogs, winning the Southeastern Conference championship in 1959 and earning All-SEC honors.

Professional Football Career of Fran Tarkenton

Fran Tarkenton was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round (29th overall) of the 1961 NFL Draft.

He also caught the eye of the Boston Patriots, who selected him in the fifth round of the AFL draft but chose to sign with the Vikings.

Tarkenton made his debut on September 17, 1961, leading the Vikings to a victory over the Chicago Bears with 250 passing yards and four touchdowns, making him the first player in NFL history to achieve this in his first game.

Tarkenton played for the Vikings from 1961 to 1966. During this time, the team faced challenges typical of a new franchise, winning only 10 games in its first three seasons.

He passed for 1,997 yards in his rookie season, with 18 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. He also rushed for 308 yards and five touchdowns.

The following year, he threw for 2,595 yards, with 22 touchdowns and 25 interceptions, while rushing for another two touchdowns.

In March 1967, Tarkenton was traded to the New York Giants for three draft picks and a player. His first season with the Giants saw him pass for a then-career-high of 3,088 yards and 29 touchdown passes, significantly improving the team’s record from 1-12-1 to 7-7.

Tarkenton’s performance in the 1969 season opener against the Vikings highlighted his career, as he led a comeback victory.

The 1970 season was particularly notable. He helped the Giants recover from an 0-3 start, finishing with a record of 9-5 and just missing the playoffs.

On January 27, 1972, Tarkenton returned to the Vikings in a trade involving several players and draft picks.

Throughout his career, Tarkenton led the Vikings to three NFC championships but fell short in each Super Bowl appearance.

Notably, they lost to the Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Oakland Raiders in Super Bowls IV, IX, and XI, respectively.

Over his 18 NFL seasons, Tarkenton completed 3,686 of 6,467 passes for 47,003 yards and 342 touchdowns, records that stood at his retirement.

His rushing stats were also impressive, accumulating 3,674 rushing yards and 32 rushing touchdowns, ranking him seventh among quarterbacks in career rushing yards.

In 1975, he claimed both the NFL Most Valuable Player Award and NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award. Tarkenton was selected to play in nine Pro Bowls and received multiple All-Pro honors throughout his career.

Despite never winning a Super Bowl, Tarkenton’s legacy is significant. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986 and is remembered as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.

Career Earnings

Fran Tarkenton, the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings in the early 1960s, had an initial annual salary of $12,500, equivalent to about $111,000 today.

To supplement his income, he took on part-time jobs, including a salesman position for a trucking company, earning $600 per month, and worked for a printing company and the advertising firm BBD&O.

His highest single-season salary reached $250,000. Over his NFL career, Tarkenton earned a total of $1.2 million, which is roughly $8 million today. Additionally, he gained substantial income from endorsements with companies like Johnson & Johnson.

Business Career

Fran Tarkenton has enjoyed a highly successful business career. He founded Tarkenton Software, a company specializing in computer program generation, and promoted computer-aided software engineering (CASE) alongside Albert F. Case of Nastec Corporation.

Tarkenton Software eventually merged with KnowledgeWare, which went public in 1989, making Fran several million dollars. By 1991, his shares were valued at $50 million, although the price fell in subsequent years. Despite this, he sold around $4 million in shares between 1992 and 1993.

KnowledgeWare was sold to Sterling Software in 1994 for $73 million, netting Fran an additional $6 million, a five-year board seat, and a $300,000 annual consulting salary.

Currently, Fran owns Tarkenton Financial, GoSmallBiz, and Tarkenton Teleconferencing.

His investments include over $100 million in Apple stock and $15 million in real estate, showcasing his enduring business success.

Business ventures and investments

Fran Tarkenton, a Hall of Fame quarterback, became wealthy through investments guided by Mark McCormack.

He founded Tarkenton Software, which focused on computer-aided software engineering, and later merged with KnowledgeWare, where he served as president until its sale to Sterling Software in 1994.

In 1999, Tarkenton faced legal issues when he and other executives were accused of inflating company earnings at KnowledgeWare, resulting in a $100,000 fine and $54,187 in restitution, though he denied any wrongdoing.

Afterward, he promoted products like Tony Robbins and founded GoSmallBiz, a consulting platform for small businesses, alongside running Tarkenton Financial, an annuity marketing firm.

Personal life

Fran Tarkenton has been married twice and has four children. His first marriage to Anna Elaine Merrell lasted from December 22, 1960, to March 1982, producing three children: Angela, Matthew, and Melissa.

He later married Linda Sebastian in the mid-1980s, and they have one daughter, Hayley Gray Tarkenton, born in 1988.

Social Media Accounts

FAQs About Fran Tarkenton

How much did Fran Tarkenton make playing football?

Fran Tarkenton highlights that many of his corporate successes originated from simple ideas written on paper, eventually becoming profitable business ventures.

According to Celebrity Net Worth, his current net worth exceeds $300 million. This is remarkable, especially considering he earned only $1.2 million throughout his football career.

How much Apple stock does Fran Tarkenton own?

Today, Fran Tarkenton holds an impressive portfolio that includes nearly $15 million in real estate and $100 million in Apple stocks.

In addition to these substantial assets, he has built a diverse business empire, encompassing companies such as Tarkenton Financial, Go Small Biz, 2BK, and Tarkenton Teleconferencing, contributing to his overall net worth of approximately $300 million.

What is Fran Tarkenton doing now?

Since 1996, Tarkenton has been a leader in developing innovative B2B SaaS solutions, with a deep understanding of the diverse needs of businesses across various sizes. Our commitment to harnessing the transformative power of technology drives us to build enduring partnerships.

How old was Fran Tarkenton when he retired?

Upon retiring at the age of 38, Fran Tarkenton amassed a total of 47,003 passing yards, placing him 10th on the all-time leaderboard. This figure exceeded that of Johnny Unitas—who remains the only player in the top 20 with overlapping seasons—by 6,764 yards.

Did Fran Tarkenton win a MVP?

Fran Tarkenton boasts an impressive array of accomplishments in his football career. He was honored as the league MVP, earned selections to nine Pro Bowls, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986. To this day, he holds the record for the most passing yards and touchdown passes in Minnesota Vikings history.

Conclusion

Fran Tarkenton’s financial journey involves perseverance, innovation, and smart investing. For more in-depth analysis and the latest NFL player financial updates. Don’t forget to leave a comment, share your thoughts, or explore more content on our website NFL Player Fortune