Manti Te'o Net Worth 2025: The Untold Story Behind His Fortune

Manti Te'o's net worth reaches $3.5 million today. The former NFL linebacker built this wealth through a career that saw both remarkable achievements and public controversies that grabbed headlines.

His NFL career brought in $10.4 million in total salary. Te'o's professional career took off when NFL teams selected him as the 38th overall pick, and he signed a four-year contract worth $5 million. The New Orleans Saints provided his most profitable season in 2018, with earnings of $1.7 million. Te'o's financial portfolio extends beyond football.

He made smart moves by investing in several tech startups. These investments include a ride-sharing app, GrubMarket food delivery service, Jaunt virtual reality company, and a mobile gaming platform.

This piece will tell the story of Te'o's path to financial success. We'll look at his NFL contracts and business ventures, and scrutinize how the well-known catfishing incident might have impacted his earning potential. Early projections suggested he could have secured contracts worth up to $20 million.

Manti Te'o Net Worth in 2025: The Full Picture

How much is Manti Te'o worth today?

Manti Te'o's financial portfolio shows a net worth of $3.5 million in 2025. This number comes from his NFL career earnings, business investments, and smart money management decisions.

His wealth has stayed steady at $3.5 million since 2022, according to several financial tracking sources. Te'o has built a solid financial foundation since leaving professional football.

His current net worth tells a story of both success and setbacks. While his finances are healthy, they don't match what experts predicted early in his career. The famous catfishing scandal affected his draft position and future earnings.

What contributes to his $3.5 million net worth?

NFL salary makes up the biggest chunk of Te'o's wealth. He earned about $10.4 million during his seven seasons from 2013 to 2020. The San Diego Chargers picked him 38th overall in the 2013 NFL Draft. They signed him to a 4-year deal worth $5.17 million plus a $2.14 million signing bonus.

Te'o earned most in 2018 with the New Orleans Saints - $1.7 million for that season. Here's how his NFL earnings break down:

• Chargers contract (2013-2016): $5.17 million over 4 years

• Saints contracts (2017-2019): $5 million over 2 years, plus a 1-year $805,000 deal

• Bears practice squad (2020): $132,000 in his final NFL season

His bonus earnings included:

• Signing bonus: $2.7 million

• Roster bonus: $1.6 million

• Workout bonus: $100,000

• Performance incentives: $80,789

Te'o branched out into business after football. His LinkedIn profile shows he started two real estate companies: Ohana Homes and Investing in San Diego and HI 5 Homes, LLC. These ventures help him tap into new income streams since leaving the NFL.

How his net worth compares to other NFL players

Te'o's $3.5 million net worth doesn't match up to the NFL's top earners. Stars like Tom Brady ($250 million), LeBron James ($450 million), and Serena Williams ($210 million) have built much larger fortunes.

The catfishing scandal hit Te'o's wallet hard. Experts saw him as a top-half first-round draft pick in 2013 after his Heisman Trophy finalist showing and Championship appearance. He dropped to the second round instead.

This draft slide cost him real money. Kenny Vaccaro, picked 15th overall that year, got a 4-year, $9.4 million contract with a $5.2 million signing bonus - almost double Te'o's rookie deal. The scandal might have cost him millions in career earnings.

Te'o has shown his strength by keeping his $3.5 million net worth steady. He's smart about money and knows how to handle the tough mix of pro sports, personal drama, and business ventures after football.

From Hawaii to Heisman: His Rise to Fame

Manti Te'o built his net worth through NFL contracts, but his story began as one of Hawaii's most celebrated high school athletes. His experience from being an island prodigy to becoming a national sensation created the foundation for his future earnings and public profile.

High school dominance and early recognition

At Punahou School in Honolulu, Te'o's football experience started with a bang. His exceptional talent earned him second-team all-state honors during his sophomore year. The Honolulu Advertiser named him state defensive player of the year during his junior season, and he claimed the Gatorade state player of the year award.

Te'o's versatility stood out throughout his high school years. He excelled not just in defense but also as a running back. His junior season stats showed 400 rushing yards and ten touchdowns. His leadership helped Punahou secure its first state championship in football during the 2008 season.

The accolades kept coming as Te'o's high school career reached its peak. He became the first recipient of the high school Butkus Award as the nation's best linebacker. His selection as the 2008 Sporting News High School Athlete of the Year made history - he became the first Hawaiian and the first athlete of Polynesian descent to receive this honor.

USA Today crowned his achievements by naming him the national Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-American.

Notre Dame years and national spotlight

Te'o's arrival at the University of Notre Dame in 2009 changed the team's defensive dynamics. Though he didn't start right away, his first collegiate tackle came against Colin Kaepernick in a Nevada game. Notre Dame's switch to a 3-4 defensive scheme saw Te'o move from outside to inside linebacker by his sophomore year.

His college career numbers tell an impressive story. Te'o racked up three straight 100-plus tackle seasons and became Notre Dame's third-highest career tackler with 427. The team's defense flourished under his leadership during his senior season, going undefeated (12-0) and ranking second nationally in scoring defense by allowing just 10.33 points per game.

Te'o's ball-hawking abilities set him apart from other linebackers. He grabbed seven interceptions in the 2012 season - the highest count for any FBS linebacker since 2001. His average of 0.58 interceptions per game ranked third nationally.

Awards and honors before the NFL

Te'o's senior season trophy haul broke records. He claimed seven major awards: the Lott Trophy, Nagurski Trophy, Butkus Award, Lombardi Award, Bednarik Award, Maxwell Award, and Walter Camp Player of the Year. No other college football player had won more than five major awards in one season before Te'o.

The Maxwell Award victory marked a significant milestone - Te'o became the first defensive player since 1980 to win it, breaking the quarterbacks' nine-year winning streak. His selection as a Heisman Trophy finalist brought Notre Dame back into the spotlight, marking their first finalist since Brady Quinn in 2006.

Johnny Manziel won the Heisman, but Te'o's runner-up performance set a new benchmark. His 1,706 points set a record for the highest total ever achieved by a defensive player. These achievements established Te'o as one of college football's most decorated defensive players heading into the NFL draft.

NFL Career and Contracts: The Financial Experience

Manti Te'o's net worth comes from his seven NFL seasons. His contracts with three teams built his wealth despite several injuries that slowed his progress.

Manti Te'o contract with the Chargers

The San Diego Chargers drafted Te'o 38th overall in 2013. He signed a four-year rookie contract worth $5.17 million. The deal came with a $2.14 million signing bonus and $3.1 million in guaranteed money. His biggest payday came in his first year when he earned $2.54 million.

Injuries haunted Te'o's time with the Chargers. A foot injury in his rookie preseason opener forced him to miss several games. He still managed 61 tackles in his first season. His bad luck continued with a fractured foot in 2014. An Achilles tendon rupture in 2016 ended up finishing his Chargers chapter.

Injuries and performance with the Saints

The New Orleans Saints signed Te'o to a two-year, $5 million contract in 2017. The deal included a $600,000 signing bonus. Performance metrics could boost the contract's value to $7 million.

Te'o's Saints career started well. He played all 16 games for the first time and recorded 62 tackles. All the same, 2018 saw his role shrink to just five games, though he earned his highest salary of $1.7 million. The Saints brought him back briefly in 2019 for $805,000.

Final stint with the Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears became Te'o's last NFL stop in 2020. He joined their practice squad and earned $132,000. His Bears career was brief. He played only one game - a playoff matchup against his old team, the Saints. His practice squad contract expired in January 2021.

Total NFL earnings and bonuses

Te'o earned $10.49 million across his seven NFL seasons. His earnings broke down into several categories: $2.7 million in signing bonuses, $1.6 million in roster bonuses, $100,000 in workout bonuses, and $80,789 in incentives.

His yearly earnings showed big swings. The high points came in his 2013 rookie year ($2.54 million) and 2018 with the Saints ($1.7 million). His final Bears season brought his lowest NFL paycheck at $132,000.

Performance incentives filled Te'o's contracts. To name just one example, his Saints contract offered $200,000 for playing 65% of defensive snaps. He could earn another $300,000 at 75% and $500,000 more at 85%. These bonuses could total $1 million. He also received $31,250 each time he made the active roster.

Beyond Football: Investments and Business Moves

Manti Te'o has built a diverse financial portfolio that goes well beyond his NFL earnings. His entrepreneurial mindset drives him to explore multiple business channels that contribute by a lot to his $3.5 million net worth.

Tech startup investments

Te'o heads over to the technology sector with investments in several promising startups. His tech portfolio has stakes in GrubMarket (a food delivery app), Jaunt (a virtual reality company), an unnamed ride-sharing application, and a mobile gaming platform. 

These smart investments in emerging technologies show Te'o's forward-thinking approach to building wealth. His tech investments could mean big returns if successful. His tech involvement reaches into telehealth too—in July 2022, Te'o joined Transcend, a telehealth company that mainly serves athletes.

Real estate in Hawaii and San Diego

Real estate is the life-blood of Te'o's business empire. He leads as CEO of HI 5 Homes, LLC, a real estate investment firm based in San Diego. Te'o also co-founded Ohana Homes and Investing in San Diego where he builds networks of real estate agents, contractors, and investors. 

His LinkedIn profile showcases his real estate expertise with "Entrepreneur," "NFL," and "Real Estate" as his main professional identifiers.

Te'o owns valuable property in both San Diego and his native Hawaii. He shared in a 2019 interview: "I'm in real estate, I'm getting into the oil companies in Texas, I'm doing commercial stuff, single-family home stuff, just stuff everywhere".

Stock market ventures and portfolio strategy

Te'o ended up crafting a balanced investment approach across multiple asset classes. His investment strategy spreads beyond tech and real estate into stock market investments from his NFL earnings. This mix of investments helps protect his wealth while creating growth opportunities. 

Te'o takes a measured approach to investments and carefully weighs risks against rewards. His smart financial planning creates passive income streams that work alongside his active business ventures.

The Catfishing Scandal: A Costly Disruption

Manti Te'o's 2013 catfishing scandal turned out to be the most expensive personal ordeal of his life. The scandal knocked millions off his net worth.

How the hoax unfolded

Te'o announced in 2012 that his grandmother and girlfriend Lennay Kekua had died on the same day. The truth was that Kekua never existed. Deadspin broke the story in January 2013 with an investigative report that showed Te'o had been "catfished". 

Naya Tuiasosopo, who later came out as a transgender woman, was the person behind this complex hoax. Notre Dame hired private investigators who confirmed Te'o was a victim rather than a perpetrator. People still had their doubts about his role in the whole affair.

Impact on draft position and earnings

The scandal caused Te'o to drop from a projected first-round draft pick to the second round (38th overall). This drop turned out to be very expensive - CNBC calculated a loss of at least $8 million in potential earnings. Kenny Vaccaro, picked 15th overall that year, signed a rookie deal worth nearly twice what Te'o got.

Public backlash and media narrative

Te'o faced endless mockery. "SNL" created a parody about him, and people started "Te'oing" - posing with imaginary partners - as a mean internet trend. Katie Couric went as far as questioning his sexuality in a national TV interview. Te'o was shocked to find himself listed with Tiger Woods and Lance Armstrong among "America's Most Disliked Athletes".

Netflix documentary and redemption

Te'o chose to tell his story in Netflix's 2022 documentary "Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn't Exist". The documentary brought him widespread support, including basketball star LeBron James who tweeted: "you good brother!!". Te'o shared his reason: "In order for me to heal from this, I needed to reveal it".

Conclusion

Manti Te'o's net worth sits at $3.5 million in 2025. His financial story shows both professional wins and personal struggles. His NFL career brought in $10.4 million, which fell short of early predictions. Still, Te'o showed amazing resilience as he moved from Hawaiian high school star to professional athlete and business owner.

The catfishing scandal changed what could have been a much bigger NFL career.

His draft position dropped from potential first-round to 38th overall. This cost him roughly $8 million in earnings. Even so, Te'o pushed through this huge setback and several injuries that hit him during his pro career.

Te'o smartly spread his wealth through different investments beyond football. His real estate work through HI 5 Homes and Ohana Homes and Investing shows his business mindset. He also invested in tech startups like GrubMarket and Jaunt, which points to smart financial planning. These business moves set him up for more growth after leaving professional football early.

Te'o's story goes beyond just money. The 2022 Netflix documentary helped him take back his story and get the public support he deserved. He showed courage by facing his past trauma publicly, the same courage that helped him handle career setbacks.

Te'o's financial path teaches valuable lessons about bouncing back and adapting. Career challenges hit hard, but he turned potential money troubles into a solid $3.5 million portfolio through smart investments and business moves. His success in keeping this wealth since 2022 shows he put green practices in place that should work well for years ahead.

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, primarily accumulated from his NFL career earnings and various business investments.

Q2. How did the catfishing scandal affect Manti Te'o's career earnings? 

The scandal likely cost Te'o millions in potential earnings by causing his draft position to drop from a projected first-round pick to the second round (38th overall), significantly reducing his initial NFL contract value.

Q3. What business ventures has Manti Te'o pursued after his NFL career? 

Te'o has invested in tech startups, including GrubMarket and Jaunt, and is involved in real estate through his companies HI 5 Homes, LLC and Ohana Homes and Investing in San Diego.

Q4. How much did Manti Te'o earn during his NFL career? 

Throughout his seven-season NFL career, Te'o earned approximately $10.4 million in total, including salaries, bonuses, and incentives.

Q5. What is Manti Te'o doing now after retiring from professional football? 

As of 2024, Manti Te'o has joined NFL Network as an analyst and hosts shows like Good Morning Football and Good Morning Football: Overtime, leveraging his eight-year NFL playing experience.