Fran Tarkenton Net Worth

What is Fran Tarkenton's Net Worth?

Fran Tarkenton is a former NFL quarterback, television personality, and computer software executive who has a net worth of $350 million. One of the most dynamic players of his generation, Tarkenton redefined the quarterback position with his mobility and improvisation. He played 18 seasons in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings and the New York Giants, earning nine Pro Bowl selections and the 1975 NFL MVP Award. When he retired in 1978, Tarkenton held every major passing record in league history.

But Tarkenton's accomplishments extended far beyond football. After earning only modest NFL salaries by modern standards, he turned to business, building an empire through software, consulting, and long-term investments. His ventures eventually included a major stake in Apple Inc., making him one of the richest retired athletes in the world. More on his business ventures and Apple investment throughout this article below.

Early Life and College

Francis Asbury Tarkenton was born on February 3, 1940, in Richmond, Virginia, and raised in Athens, Georgia. His father, Dallas Tarkenton, was a Methodist minister whose career moved the family across the South before settling in Georgia. Fran attended Athens High School, where he excelled in football and earned a scholarship to the University of Georgia.

At Georgia, Tarkenton became a standout quarterback for the Bulldogs, leading the team to the 1959 Southeastern Conference Championship. His combination of quick thinking, mobility, and leadership foreshadowed the unconventional playing style that would later define his NFL career. He was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and graduated as one of the most celebrated athletes in school history.

NFL Career

Tarkenton was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round of the 1961 NFL Draft. He immediately made history, throwing four touchdown passes in his first professional game. Known for his scrambling ability, Tarkenton brought a revolutionary approach to the quarterback position—one that relied on movement, agility, and improvisation rather than pure pocket passing. His unique playing style frustrated defenses and captivated fans, earning him the nickname "The Scrambler."

After six seasons with the Vikings, Tarkenton was traded to the New York Giants in 1967. He spent five productive years in New York before returning to Minnesota in 1972. During his second stint with the Vikings, he led the team to three Super Bowl appearances (VIII, IX, and XI), though the team fell short of a championship each time.

By the time he retired in 1978, Tarkenton had set NFL records for passing yards (47,003), completions (3,686), and touchdowns (342). He was selected to nine Pro Bowls, named league MVP in 1975, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986. His ability to extend plays and create offense on the run influenced generations of quarterbacks who followed, from Steve Young to Patrick Mahomes.

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Career Earnings

Although Tarkenton was one of the NFL's biggest stars, player salaries in the 1960s and 1970s were a fraction of what they are today. His rookie contract with the Vikings in 1961 paid $12,500—about $111,000 in today's dollars. To make ends meet, he worked part-time jobs in the offseason, including stints with a trucking company in Idaho, a printing business in Minnesota, and an advertising firm in New York.

Even at his peak, Tarkenton earned only $250,000 per season, and over his entire 18-year career, he made roughly $1.2 million—equivalent to about $8 million today. He supplemented his income through endorsements with companies such as Johnson & Johnson, but he understood early that football alone would not make him wealthy.

Early Business Ventures

Tarkenton began experimenting with business ventures while still playing in the NFL. His first foray came in the late 1960s when he borrowed $50,000 to open a fast-food restaurant called "The Scrambler." The business failed, but Tarkenton later credited the experience with teaching him invaluable lessons about risk management, debt, and personal responsibility.

Determined to fund his own future projects, he started several businesses during his playing days, including a management consulting firm, an insurance brokerage, and various real estate investments. By the mid-1980s—less than a decade after his retirement—Tarkenton's enterprises were generating around $11 million in annual revenue, marking a highly successful transition from athlete to entrepreneur.

Tarkenton Software and KnowledgeWare

After leaving football, Tarkenton developed an interest in computer technology at a time when few athletes were involved in the field. In the late 1970s, he founded Tarkenton Software, a company focused on computer program generators and early business software tools. This venture eventually led to a merger with KnowledgeWare, a struggling software company that Tarkenton revitalized as its president.

He personally invested $3 million of his own money to turn the company around, forging key partnerships with IBM that helped KnowledgeWare's products reach major corporate clients. The company went public in 1989, and within two years, its revenue topped $100 million annually. At its peak, KnowledgeWare's market value reached about $418 million, and Tarkenton's 13% stake was worth more than $50 million.

In 1994, Tarkenton orchestrated the sale of KnowledgeWare to Sterling Software for $73 million, earning approximately $6 million personally plus a five-year board seat and a $300,000 annual consulting salary. His initial investment had multiplied more than tenfold, cementing his reputation as one of the few professional athletes to achieve major success in the tech world.

Tarkenton Companies and Later Ventures

Following the KnowledgeWare sale, Tarkenton established Tarkenton Companies, a holding firm for his growing network of businesses. Through it, he has launched and operated more than two dozen ventures, most focused on supporting entrepreneurs and small business owners. His key enterprises include GoSmallBiz.com, Tarkenton Financial, and Tarkenton Teleconferencing—firms that offer consulting, insurance, and communication services.

He also co-founded SmallBizClub, an online educational resource created in partnership with Office Depot, and has written several books on business and leadership, including The Power of Failure: Succeeding in the Age of Innovation. Tarkenton often emphasizes that failure is an essential part of long-term success, explaining that every setback helped him build the resilience and perspective that fueled his later achievements.

Apple Stock Holdings

Perhaps Tarkenton's most lucrative financial move has been his investment in Apple Inc. Over several decades, he quietly accumulated a large personal stake in the company. In July 2021, it was confirmed that Fran owned around 800,000 shares of Apple. At that time, those shares were worth around $112 million. Assuming Fran has not sold and shares, and history indicates he more than likely has actually bought more, at $270 per share (November 2025), 800,000 shares would be worth around $216 million and would produce $832,000 per year in dividends. Historically, Fran has reinvested his Apple dividends into more Apple shares. Assuming he kept that practice between July 2021 and November 2025, he would have received $3.3 million worth of dividends, which, if reinvested at the time the dividends were paid, would have bought an additional 17,890 shares, bringing his total holdings to 817,890 shares. At $270 a share, that stake would be worth around $220 million. If all this is accurate, Fran would be among Apple's largest individual stockholders.

Real Estate and Other Holdings

In addition to his corporate interests and stock portfolio, Tarkenton has built a real estate portfolio valued at over $15 million, primarily consisting of properties in Georgia and Florida.

Legacy

Fran Tarkenton's evolution from Hall of Fame quarterback to multimillionaire entrepreneur is one of the most remarkable second acts in sports history. He anticipated the importance of financial independence decades before most athletes did, and he executed that plan with discipline, creativity, and an unrelenting work ethic.

Tarkenton often says that his greatest satisfaction doesn't come from money but from helping others succeed. Through his companies, mentorship programs, and books, he continues to promote entrepreneurship and lifelong learning. His life story proves that the same qualities that made him a champion on the field—adaptability, leadership, and persistence—can lead to even greater victories off it.

From scrambling out of the pocket to outmaneuvering business challenges, Fran Tarkenton has spent a lifetime staying one step ahead of the rush—and turning every opportunity into a touchdown.

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