Cam Newton says his podcast career has become his primary source of income now that his NFL paychecks are a thing of the past.
Since stepping away from professional football, Newton has pivoted to creating sports content across multiple platforms, most notably on his weekly web series, “4th & 1.”
Where’s The Money Coming From?
In a clip posted on May 12, Newton responded to former NBA point guard Lou Williams’ comments about how short NBA careers can be and how quickly players can end up broke.
Williams was on his “The Underground Lounge Podcast” with his co-host Spank Horton where a clip on his take was published on Carrington Flash YouTube channel on March 25, 2024.
According to Williams’ personal estimation, the average NBA career lasts about four years, and within five years after retirement, many players face financial burdens.
The former Atlanta Hawks player explained that a $5 million annual salary often shrinks to just $1.5 million after accounting for taxes, agency and union fees, personal staff, and other expenses.
Newton not only affirms Williams’ estimate but parallels his own life. He says athletes’ incomes change, but their expenses remain the same, which makes it harder to maintain their lifestyle post-career.
“So, it’s the unfortunate truth that, yes, a lot of people do go broke or aren’t able to keep up with the lifestyle they once knew, OK? They want to keep up with the Joneses, they want to do all this. Fortunately, I never really had a financial adviser, but I was never really a splurger either,” he reveals.
He added, “Still, to this day, I haven’t really gone shopping or made a large purchase in quite some time,” Newton said. “But I will say this — this is the number one reason why a person may go broke. Even though your income changes — income is what you make, right, in layman’s terms — even though your income may change, where at one point you’re like, Ain’t this the same dude that was making $20 million a year? $30 million?’ But you … you’re stupid. Your expenses don’t change.”
Newton, who made more than $121 million in NFL salary alone within his first nine years, according to StyleCaster, has an estimated $14 million net worth.
“In 2018, I was making $20 million a year, with about five to six million dollars in expenses. Expenses are agent fees — like Lou just mentioned — agent fees. I may have made certain purchases, lavish experiences, you know? Private school. Cars, homes. … Now, in 2025, I’m not making $20 million. But you still have lavish lifestyles, large purchases, private school, child support, alimony. Even if you buy a big home, you still have upkeep. You’ve got flowers, lawn care service, HOA fees and dues. Those things never leave. Those expenses stay forever,” Newton said.
The former quarterback, whose decorated career includes winning the Heisman Trophy, being selected first overall in the 2011 NFL draft, earning Offensive Rookie of the Year, and being named Offensive Player of the Year, also led the Carolina Panthers to Super Bowl 50 against the Denver Broncos.
The Panthers lost 24–10, and Newton became the first Black quarterback to win the NFL MVP award outright.
He says he would be broke if not for the support of his fans. And like many former players, Newton turned from athlete to sports commentator.
“I’m grateful to be able to be in the position that I am now and still living the way that I want. I heard this once, and even heard it in a documentary: You can live a couple of years like a king, or with the right money decisions, you can live the rest of your life like a prince,” Newton said.
“Now, there are people who still believe they’re supposed to live a certain lifestyle, and that will unfortunately dry up. Now that’s why you see publications like ‘4th & 1,’ to keep the lights on, and we’re happy we’re doing it,” he added.
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