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A super bowl winning quarterback turned his $160,000 salary into a $640M business, gave his employees hundreds of millions of dollars, and still came out rich.
Time for a thread
Time for a thread
1) The legend of Roger Staubach started at the US Naval Academy, where he enrolled in 1961 as quarterback of the football team.
Staubach adapted quickly to the college game, winning the Heisman Trophy and Maxwell Award in 1963 - his first year as a full-time starter.
Staubach adapted quickly to the college game, winning the Heisman Trophy and Maxwell Award in 1963 - his first year as a full-time starter.
2) Personal accolades aside, the 1963 season was special for the Midshipmen.
Staubach led the team to a 9-1 record and a final ranking of No. 2 in the country.
They lost in the Cotton Bowl to Texas, but beat rival Notre Dame - which didn't happen again until 44 years later.
Staubach led the team to a 9-1 record and a final ranking of No. 2 in the country.
They lost in the Cotton Bowl to Texas, but beat rival Notre Dame - which didn't happen again until 44 years later.
3) After a legendary career at Navy, Roger Staubach was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1965.
The problem?
Staubach still had a four year post-graduate Naval service commitment.
Although he was eligible to stay in the US, Staubach volunteered for a one-year tour in Vietnam.
The problem?
Staubach still had a four year post-graduate Naval service commitment.
Although he was eligible to stay in the US, Staubach volunteered for a one-year tour in Vietnam.
4) By 1969, Roger Staubach had fulfilled his military commitment and joined the Dallas Cowboys full-time.
Staubach's FB resume:
- 2Ă— Super Bowl Champion
- Super Bowl MVP
- 6x Pro Bowl Selection
As a 27-year old rookie, it's fun to imagine what he might've done with 6 more years
Staubach's FB resume:
- 2Ă— Super Bowl Champion
- Super Bowl MVP
- 6x Pro Bowl Selection
As a 27-year old rookie, it's fun to imagine what he might've done with 6 more years
5) From a financial perspective, NFL players weren't making what they make now - especially not Super Bowl winning QBs.
The most Staubach ever made was $160,000 in 1979.
For context, Patrick Mahomes new contract will pay him $45M annually.
The most Staubach ever made was $160,000 in 1979.
For context, Patrick Mahomes new contract will pay him $45M annually.
6) Knowing football wouldn't last forever, Roger Staubach got serious about his finances.
“If I got hurt, I knew I had a family to provide for, and it was not crazy money in the NFL then.”
Throughout the 70s, Staubach would spend his offseason working as a real estate broker.
“If I got hurt, I knew I had a family to provide for, and it was not crazy money in the NFL then.”
Throughout the 70s, Staubach would spend his offseason working as a real estate broker.
7) By the time Roger Staubach retired in 1979, he had already started "The Staubach Company".
The Staubach Company was a commercial real estate firm focused on "helping clients find office, retail and industrial space."
The Staubach Company was a commercial real estate firm focused on "helping clients find office, retail and industrial space."
8) From 1979 to 2008, Roger Staubach built "The Staubach Company" into an incredible business.
The company had a massive client base, with operations that included 50 offices across North America and over 1,100 employees.
This is where it get's interesting...
The company had a massive client base, with operations that included 50 offices across North America and over 1,100 employees.
This is where it get's interesting...
9) In the 2000s, clients approached Staubach looking for international assistance.
Knowing that wasn’t his area of expertise, Staubach went looking for a partner - which led him to Jones Lang Lasalle (JLL).
In 2008, JLL purchased The Staubach Company.
The price?
$640 million
Knowing that wasn’t his area of expertise, Staubach went looking for a partner - which led him to Jones Lang Lasalle (JLL).
In 2008, JLL purchased The Staubach Company.
The price?
$640 million
10) At the time of the sale, Roger Staubach only owned 12% of the company as he frequently gave equity to employees.
JLL named Staubach chairman of the newly combined entity, which came with a $12M salary.
Staubach's new salary was 75x his highest annual earnings in the NFL.
JLL named Staubach chairman of the newly combined entity, which came with a $12M salary.
Staubach's new salary was 75x his highest annual earnings in the NFL.
11) Roger Staubach realized what so many players of his time never did.
Football is a dangerous game and the money doesn't last forever - you need a backup plan.
Through an unbelievable combination of hard work and humbleness, Roger Staubach built a massive real estate business
Football is a dangerous game and the money doesn't last forever - you need a backup plan.
Through an unbelievable combination of hard work and humbleness, Roger Staubach built a massive real estate business
12) Could you imagine a super bowl winning quarterback working as a real estate broker during the offseason today?
Just another example of hard work and persistence leading to another “overnight” success.
Just another example of hard work and persistence leading to another “overnight” success.
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