Colin Kaepernick Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What are Colin Kaepernick’s career earnings and net worth?

Colin Kaepernick, an American football player and social activist, boasts a net worth of $20 million. Over his six-season tenure in the NFL from 2011 to 2016, he earned upwards of $43 million in salary (before taxes and fees). His highest salary in the NFL peaked at $14.3 million during the 2016 season. Known for his activism in political and civil rights, Colin is recognized for kneeling during the national anthem at NFL games in response to issues of police brutality and racial inequality in the U.S.

Early Life

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on November 3, 1987, Colin Rand Kaepernick was put up for adoption by his birth mother and subsequently became the third child of Rick and Teresa Kaepernick. The couple had previously lost two sons to heart defects. The family resided in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, until Colin turned four, after which they relocated to California. At John H. Pitman High School in Turlock, California, Colin excelled as a 4.0 GPA student-athlete, focusing primarily on baseball and receiving multiple scholarship offers for college baseball. Nonetheless, he chose to concentrate on football, earning a position at the University of Nevada. As a college football player, he frequently ranked among the top quarterbacks nationwide, collecting numerous accolades and setting several records. He was honored as the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Offensive Player of the Year on two occasions and became the only player in NCAA Division I FBS history to achieve 10,000 passing yards and 4,000 rushing yards over a career.

NFL Career

In 2009, Colin was drafted by the Chicago Cubs but opted against the MLB opportunity to pursue a football career. In the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft, he was signed by the San Francisco 49ers and initially served as a backup quarterback until 2012. He shone during the 2012 season, leading the 49ers to Super Bowl XLVII that year, although they faced a defeat against the Baltimore Ravens with a score of 31-34. In the 2013 season, Kaepernick guided the 49ers to the NFC Championship game but they were overpowered by the Seattle Seahawks.

During the third preseason game of 2016, Kaepernick made the decision to sit during the U.S. national anthem, deviating from the traditional standing. This act served as a protest against racial injustice, police violence, and systemic oppression within the country. Following that week, he chose to kneel during the anthem for the remainder of the season, sparking widespread discussions both in support of and against his stance. The controversy surrounding Kaepernick’s kneeling escalated significantly in September 2017 when President Donald Trump urged NFL owners to “fire” players protesting during the anthem.

After that season, Kaepernick became a free agent, but no team opted to sign him. Despite working out with the Las Vegas Raiders in May 2022, he remains without a team as of this writing.

Record Contract

In June 2014, Colin and the 49ers finalized a seven-year contract extension. This agreement had the potential to earn Colin up to $126 million, with $61 million in possible guarantees. The extension came with a signing bonus of $12.3 million and a salary of $640,000 for the following season. The $13 million represented the sole fully-guaranteed portion of the agreement, while the $61 million in potential guarantees was only assured if Colin were to suffer a career-ending injury. At the time, this contract was a record-setting deal.

According to the structure

The contract stipulated that Colin’s base salary would decrease by $2 million each year he was not selected for the first or second All-Pro team, or if the 49ers did not reach the Super Bowl the prior season (provided Colin played at least 80% of the snaps). Consequently, his base salary of $12.4 million at the onset of the 2015 season was lowered to $10.4 million.

In March 2017, Kaepernick learned of the 49ers’ intentions to release him. To become a free agent, he chose to opt out of his contract. Ultimately, Colin earned $39 million from his groundbreaking $126 million contract.

NFL Lawsuit And Settlement

In 2017, Colin filed a grievance against the NFL, claiming that the league and team owners had colluded to prevent him from playing in the NFL due to his decision to kneel during the National Anthem. The lawsuit was privately resolved in February 2019 for an undisclosed sum. On February 18, 2019, reports from several sports news outlets suggested the settlement might have been between $60 and $80 million. However, a month later, it became clear that the actual settlement amount was likely closer to $10 million.

Nike Contract

Colin entered his first endorsement agreement with Nike in 2011. Various speculations arose that Nike chose not to renew their contract following Colin’s absence from the league after 2017. However, in 2018, on the 30th anniversary of the “Just Do It” campaign, Nike debuted an ad featuring Kaepernick, showcasing the message, “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.” Ultimately, it was revealed that Nike had been consistently supporting Colin, and he emerged as a brand ambassador. According to Yahoo NFL reporter Charles Robinson, Colin continues to receive a contract from Nike that is equivalent to those of current star NFL players, which includes millions annually, alongside royalties from Kaepernick-branded merchandise.

Personal Life

Kaepernick has had a pet African spurred tortoise named Sammy since childhood, having adopted him when he was ten. He was baptized into the Methodist faith, confirmed in the Lutheran church, and participated in a Baptist church during his college years. In late 2015, Kaepernick switched to a vegan diet.

In July 2015, Kaepernick reportedly began dating Nessa Diab, a radio personality and television host, with their relationship becoming public in February 2016.

Together, Kaepernick and Nessa established the Know Your Rights Camp, an initiative offering free seminars to underprivileged youth aimed at educating them about self-empowerment, American history, and their legal rights. In April 2020, the Know Your Rights Camp initiated a relief fund for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, to which Kaepernick donated $100,000.

In February 2020, Kaepernick launched Kaepernick Publishing, intending to publish a memoir through his company and Audible.

In October 2021, Netflix premiered “Colin in Black & White,” a six-episode limited series co-created by Kaepernick and Ava DuVernay that chronicles Colin’s adolescent years.

Real Estate

Kaepernick sold his San Jose, California home for $3.075 million in 2017. The two-story residence boasts four bedrooms, five and a half bathrooms, and nearly 4,600 square feet of living space, complete with a wall aquarium, a full bar, a pool, a spa, and a waterfall feature. He purchased the home in 2014 for $2.7 million and executed significant renovations.

In July 2016, Kaepernick acquired a two-bedroom luxury condo in New York City for $3.21 million. This 1,733-square-foot Tribeca apartment is said to provide 24-hour concierge service, a swimming pool, a private health club, and a garage. Colin listed this apartment for sale in April 2024 at the same price of $3.21 million.