Shaun White is the most prominent face in the skateboarding and snowboarding field. His net worth in 2018 is estimated at $40.0 million. It’s no surprise that he’s an icon for entire generation of skateboarders and snowboarders. But how exactly did he earn all that money? We’ve got the details here!
The alpine events at the 2018 Winter Olympics have begun and Shaun White, the most famous snowboarder on Team USA, is chasing his third Olympic gold medal on the half-pipe! A horrible snowboarding accident last year put his fourth Olympic attempt into question. But he managed to get back on the board, and now, all eyes are on him as he makes it past the half-pipe qualifiers. With a net worth estimated at $40.0 million in 2018, he’s an inspiration for snowboarders and skateboarders everywhere. We’ve got a breakdown of Shaun White’s net worth and how he became one of the most successful Olympians ever.
What Is Shaun White’s Net Worth?
- Born in San Diego, California on September 3, 1986, White had two heart surgeries before the age of one, due to congenital heart defect. He picked up snowboarding from his older brother on the White family’s ski trips.
- His mother was a waitress and his father worked in the San Clemente water department. To afford the skip trips, they bought a used van for the family to camp out in at the base of mountains.
- He started snowboarding at the age of six and at seven, landed his first sponsorship deal with snowboard manufacturer, Burton.
- White was also skateboarding at the same time. Pro skateboarder, Tony Hawk discovered and mentored him.
- Hawk helped him turn pro when he was 17. He began riding for Tony Hawk’s Birdhouse Skateboards.
- He already turned to professional snowboarding at 13.
- At 16, he became the youngest snowboarder to win a US Open. Instead of the celebratory champagne, he was always handed a bottle of apple cider to celebrate his victories.
- He is the most decorated snowboarder in the sport. He won gold in the 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics in the snowboard half-pipe event.
- White a won a medal at the Winter X Games every year since 2002. His medal count includes 15 gold, three silver, and two bronze.
- He was named Action Sports Tour Champion in skateboarding, and was the first person to compete and win in both the Summer and Winter X Games in two different sports.
- At the 2007 US Open, he won $100,000 (Global Open Champ), $20,000 (1st Place Halfpipe), $90,000 (3rd Place Slopestyle), and a new Corvette.
- His success attracted major endorsement deals. White’s corporate endorsement deals include Burton Snowboards, Oakley, Inc., Birdhouse Skateboards, Park City Mountain Resort, Target Corporation, Red Bull, Ubisoft, Adio, and Hewlett-Packard.
- He was ranked among Forbes’30 Under 30 and the top-earner in action sports. The magazine estimated his endorsement earnings in 2009 at $9.0 million. He reportedly earns approximately $2.0 million per endorsement deal.
- His annual salary is estimated at $10.0 million.
- He flipped several properties for a profit over the years.
Here’s a breakdown of Shaun White’s wealth as illustrated below.
| Shaun White’s Net Worth | $40.0 million |
| Annual Salary | $10.0 million |
| Endorsements earnings (2009) | $9.0 million |
| Estimated earnings per endorsement deal | $2.0 million |
| Hollywood Hills home (2017) purchase price | $1.6 million |
| New York City penthouse selling price | $2.79 million |
| Los Angeles home selling price | $6.95 million |
| Encinitas home selling price | $7.9 million |
| Mammoth Resort stakes | $38.0 million |
Shaun White’s Business Empire
- White also turned to cash in on the business aspect of his sport. He signed with CAA Sports and IMG for representation.
- His entrepreneurial side got a push when he first designed a promo snowboard with Burton. It led to Burton’s White Collection featuring snowboards, boots, helmets, and clothing with names invoking Led Zeppelin.
- At 14, he created signature eyewear with Oakley.
- He partnered with Target for a clothing line which has since expanded to footwear, accessories, and home goods.
- He founded Shaun White Enterprises, which raises funds for charities he supports.
- Passionate about music, he released an album under Warner Bros. He toured with his former band, Bad Things.
- Bad Things drummer, Lena Zawaideh filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against him. They reached an out-of-court settlement. The terms of the settlement are not disclosed.
- He spent $38.0 million to buy a minority stake in Mammoth Resorts. He bought Snow Summit and Bear Mountain where he started snowboarding as a child.
- He became a majority shareholder in the snowboarding/music festival, Air + Style in 2014.
- He launched a menswear line in collaboration with Macy’s. WHT Space is a more toned down version of White’s “Flying Tomato” rockstar aesthetic. He personally hand-painted 150 limited edition leather jackets for the line.
- He launched several snowboarding and skateboarding video games. Before heading to Pyeongchang, he launched his latest game, Downhill Dash in January.
- He partnered with Halfpops to release his own line of snacks.
- He and Lindsey Vonn are the richest U.S. athletes at the 2018 Olympics.
Here’s how Shaun White compares to other Olympians at Pyeongchang:
| Shaun White’s Net Worth | $40 million |
| Lindsey Vonn | $6.0 million |
| Jamie Anderson | $4.0 million |
| Mikaela Shiffrin | $3.0 million |
| Lindsey Jacobellis | $1.0 million |
| Gus Kenworthy | $300,000 |
