$14M Paycheck Confirmed for JJ Watt’s Soccer Club After CBS Hired NFL Legend as No. 2 Analyst

Future Hall of Famer JJ Watt earned $130 million in salary over his 12-year NFL career and plenty more through endorsements. Since retiring in December 2022, the 36-year-old has stayed close to the game, with his tweets often lighting up social media. But it’s not just his online presence turning heads. One major post-retirement career move has grabbed a lot of attention, too.

Just two years after jumping into English soccer with their team, Burnley, JJ Watt and his wife, Kealia, are headed back to the top tier of English soccer, the Premier League. Burnley pulled off a 2-1 win over Sheffield United on Monday, and Watt couldn’t have been happier. After all, the NFL legend bought into the club with Kealia, back in March 2023, right after retiring from the NFL. At that time, Kealia too had just wrapped up her soccer career.

As the game unfolded with a win on Monday, JJ Watt was all over social media. He shared every big moment, especially when Josh Brownhill scored twice to seal the win at Turf Moor. After the final whistle, the Wisconsin native posted a huge grin, decked out in Burnley gear, shouting, “WE ARE PREMIER LEAGUE!!!!!! Come On Burnley!!!!!!” in the caption of that Instagram post.

Now, Burnley’s promotion means a big jump in money and exposure. The club, currently valued at around $250 million, will receive a minimum $14 million boost through increased TV revenue, sponsorship uplift, and other commercial opportunities. And that’s just the floor. Should they survive in the Premier League or benefit from future parachute payments, their total windfall could eventually climb into nine figures. However, the real booster is in the Championship (second tier of English soccer) play-offs. If a team wins that final, they end up earning about $160 to $345 million in TV deals, sponsorship, and additional revenue streams., easy. No wonder they call it the “richest game in football”.

That’s definitely huge for the Watts, who are also about to see their investment skyrocket. And don’t expect them to stay quiet either. Watt once said, “There’s not a single day in our household that Burnley isn’t spoken about, emailed about, called about.” Hence, it’s safe to say, they’re all in.

Meanwhile, besides earning huge from his soccer investment, JJ Watt is also earning well from another post-retirement career decision.

JJ Watt shines as an analyst!

After hanging up his cleats following a career with the Houston Texans and later, the Arizona Cardinals, JJ Watt didn’t just invest in an English soccer club. He also stepped into the world of broadcasting with CBS Sports. And now, even bigger moves are happening. Watt, who gives his opinions on the NFL’s ongoing drama, is heading into the NFL booth this season. He is going to team up with Ian Eagle on CBS’s No. 2 crew. It’s a huge moment for him, especially after getting the broadcasting itch while calling the Christmas Day game last year. Watt’s journey to this point has been nothing short of incredible – from wrecking offenses at Wisconsin to becoming a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Meanwhile, Charles Davis, who used to partner with Eagle, is shifting over to the college side. He’ll be stepping in for Gary Danielson, who’s set to retire after one more season. Davis will eventually call Big Ten games with Brad Nessler, but for now, CBS is still sorting out his NFL duties. CBS still has Tony Romo locked in as their No. 1 guy, but now, with Watt in the mix, they’ve got another heavy hitter waiting in the wings.

Between Burnley’s promotion and his expanding media career, JJ Watt is proving that life after football doesn’t mean slowing down—it means leveling up.