Insanely Expensive Stuff Sports Stars Are Buying

When someone not rich becomes very rich, there are two schools of thought about how to best manage those finances.

One says: Hire an experienced, trusted adviser to help wisely invest, save and spend the new-found wealth.

The other: Life's short—buy jet skis, commission the creation of a bronze statue of yourself and worry about that other stuff when spending cash isn't fun anymore.

Despite the boatload of evidence backing up one versus the other, the two schools are surprisingly competitive. 

Of course, some people can do a little of both—or eventually realize they're one paid vacation for their entourage away from bankruptcy. The point is that buying...things...is an objectively awesome activity.

Athletes are a great case study in the pleasures and perils of getting rich quickly, because few professions offer the same kind of nothing-to-a-lot-of-something windfall as the typical contract the most talented pro athletes sign (not to mention the sponsorship and endorsement offers that come with it).

It doesn't hurt that sports stars tend to be just as talented when it comes to spending cash, showing off the fruits of their spoils on social media apps like Instagram and in feature pieces about their life.

This is some of the insanely expensive stuff sports stars are buying.

Antrel Rolle, New York Giants

Instagram ID: skilled_26

Caption: My baby has arrived......

New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle recently added a shiny new Land Rover to what looks to be an already impressive collection of shiny vehicles. 

Ben McLemore, Sacramento Kings

Instagram ID: youngsav23

Caption: Rocking my new piece. No squares in my circle. Great detailed. #nosquares #apexblack #blessed #swag #sirmclemore #sactown

Sacrmento Kings guard Ben McLemore is only 21 years old, which provides some context for this ridiculous piece of jewelry. Let’s just hope he grows out of this because diamonds aren’t a particularly good investment. He probably leases a sports car too. 

Vontaze Burfict, Cincinnati Bengals

Instagram ID: mropenfield

Caption: Had to do it again for the off day lol

Ever wonder what NFL players like Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict do on their days off? Well, apparently they buy extremely expensive bottles of champagne and engage in some lonely daytime drinking.

No judgement, though! As long as Burfict waited till he got home to pop the cork on that Moet. 

Floyd Mayweather, Boxer

Instagram ID: floydmayweather

Caption: Happy 14th Birthday @moneyyaya LOVE YOU! Thanks@mrflawless1

As if you needed another reason to dislike Floyd Mayweather! It's hard to imagine that a teenager who gets these kinds of gifts as birthday presents is going to grow up to be a highly contributing member of society. Look at Paris Hilton. 

Floyd Mayweather, Boxer

Instagram ID: floydmayweather

Caption: I love to buy her gifts. www.themoneyteam.com

Speaking of Floyd Money! I used to think it was his money alone that kept the oversized novelty bows for the car industry afloat—he’s bought at least four this year! But as it turns out...

LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

Instagram ID: kingjames

Caption: Momma received her surprise b-day gift today. Enjoy and love you momma! Trying to figure out how to give u the world but in the mean time enjoy your new toy! #ProudSon #SheGoneStuntOnMeNow #StriveForGreatness

Athletes, in general, are big contributors to this very niche industry. Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James got his mother this sweet set of wheels for her recent birthday. 

Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers

Instagram ID: taeadams 

Caption: Happy early birthday mom..Wont see u on your day cuz I gotta get back to the grind. You deserve the world but for now just enjoy ya new beemer lol Love u

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams is another one! (And the last one, I promise.) 

Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers

Instagram ID: therealmattkemp

Caption: We all go through chapters in our lives. With each chapter, comes new lessons. The Roman numerals represent new years, new lessons...New chapters. Big S/O 2 @benballer for this piece. Amazing work. #GetRightOrGetLeft #XIV

What? Don’t you celebrate new chapters in your life with solid gold roman numerals covered in diamonds like Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Matt Kemp? Must be nice to live a life in which every chapter ends with your ability to flush thousands of dollars down the toilet and not even miss it. 

Reggie Bush, Detroit Lions

Instagram ID: reggiebush

Caption: End of the night! #MoreBottlesThanPeople #TheTurnUpisReal #RedBullDet

Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush and his friends did some serious drinking at a club over the offseason. If that bill got comped, then there is definitely not a God. 

C.J. Wilson, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Instagram ID: cjwilsonphoto

Caption: Very excited to start playing with my new toy! #megamegapixels thanks to @dominicdisaia @gnubill @michaelmuller7 for all the advice and encouragement the last few years

Los Angeles Angels pitcher C.J. Wilson recently splurged with this new toy. It’s hard to tell exactly the model, but Phase One cameras like this start around $6,000 and just go up from there. Although, it’s a lot cheaper than his other hobby. 

Keenan Robinson, Washington Redskins

Instagram ID: keenanrobinson

Caption: Finally got me a lil' fishing boat

Washington Redskins linebacker Keenan Robinson didn’t go over the top with his fishing boat. Probably because he has to be spending an absolute fortune on food! 

Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat

Instagram ID: dwyanewade

Caption: She said YES!!! @gabunion

Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade got engaged to actress Gabrielle Union, whom he has since married, late last year. The estimated value of the 8.5-carat diamond is $1 million. Wowza. 

Torrey Smith, Baltimore Ravens

Instagram ID: torreysmithwr

Caption: Valentine's Day doesn't mean too much to us because we show our appreciation for each other all year...but this one is a a lil special because it's our first one since we have been engaged..Did she ask for or want anything...NO...but I feel as if she deserves it! Made a rose pathway to the gifts and she loved it @libraladii

Considering Valentine’s Day “doesn’t mean that much” to Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith and his wife, they sure spent a pantload of money celebrating it. Those ridiculous plaid rain boots alone are $250. 

Shaquille O’Neal, Retired NBA

Instagram ID: shaq

Caption: My remote starter made the car hit me

Hall of Fame big man Shaquille O’Neal had a customized Superman grill and remote starter installed on what looks to be a Mack truck. A Mack truck that, incidentally, almost runs him over in that video. 

Tyrann Mathieu, Arizona Cardinals

Instagram ID: devine_mathieu

Caption: My homies are cooler than yours @realpatrickpeterson

Is an interest in ridiculously overpriced watches mandatory for professional athletes? These guys and my great uncle are the only people who even still wear watches. 

Sydney Leroux, U.S. Women’s Soccer

Instagram ID: sydneyleroux

Caption: These boots were made for walkin'

U.S. women’s soccer star Sydney Leroux says those sweet Chanel combat boots are made for walking, but at almost $2,000 a pop, she might want to limit the miles she puts on those bad boys. 

Bernard James, Dallas Mavericks

Instagram ID: bernardjames5

Caption: ROSE GOLD EVERYTHING!

While I appreciate the enthusiasm of Dallas Mavericks center Bernard James for his rose gold jewelry collection, I have to say that that is one of the ugliest piles of expensive crap I’ve ever seen. 

Devon Still, Cincinnati Bengals

Instagram ID: man_of_still75

Caption: [No Caption]

Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Devon Still is one of a number of athletes who have posted photos of this bottle of Remy Martin Cognac. And it doesn’t just look fancy! A bottle of Louis XIII will set you back almost $3,000. 

Mike Williams, Buffalo Bills

Instagram ID: cavemanmike19

Caption: My gift to my self no one never gets me nothing unless I'm paying ....a gift to my self

Last Christmas, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Mike Williams decided to buy diamonds for the special someone in his life—himself—and he walked out of Zales with (at least) two pretty substantial bags. 

Ian Poulter, PGA

Instagram ID: ianjamespoulter

Caption: Time for the White #RollsRoyce Ghost to go. It's beautiful but I haven't driven it in a long time.

A lot of athletes have a lot of cars, but aside from boxer Floyd Mayweather, I don’t think anyone has a more impressive collection than PGA pro Ian Poulter. He’s got so many that he wants to give up his Rolls Royce because he can’t give it a proper home—it’s like a stray cat to him. 

Chad 'Ochocinco' Johnson, Retired NFL

Instagram ID: ochocinco

Caption: Unbelievable how accessible REAL Cuban cigars are in Montreal...

Former NFL wide receiver Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson has been playing for the CFL’s Montreal Alouttes this season. Apparently he’s taken advantage of the cigar situation in Montreal, because there are a lot of Instagram photos of him smoking Cubans. All the other photos are Orcas—dude is obsessed. 

Cody Latimer, Denver Broncos

Instagram ID: codylatimer14

Caption: A little preview of tonight gotta love the fam

Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Cody Latimer certainly wasn’t left wanting for bling when he was selected No. 56 overall by Denver in May. 

Ty Lawson, Denver Nuggets

Instagram ID: tylawson3

Caption: Bands will make her dance

Denver Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson knows how to pack for a trip. A trip to the strip club. 

Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers

Instagram ID: vernondavis85

Caption: Its dark outside but I was covered with light. Just got home from a long day. Have a great night and God Bless!

San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis owns one very weird-looking vehicle. It looks like the Batmobile mated with a Suzuki sportbike. 

DeJuan Blair, Washington Wizards

Instagram ID: dejuan45

Caption: Trunk craaaaazy! Knocks u can hear me coming from blocks! Salute to the hustle and grind!!! Gotta shine so my team can get on a eat!!! Yessir! #PDOTO #MHMD!

Washington Wizards center DeJuan Blair was probably a big fan of that MTV show Pimp My Ride. That trunk sound system looks like it’s right out of the Xzibit playbook. 

Mike Sims-Walker, NFL Free Agent

Instagram ID: mikesimswalker

Caption: Pulled out my donk today..... #mrversatile #juice

Uhh...I’ll take “Things I’ll Wish I Didn’t Buy When I’m Broke” for $2,000, Alex. Click here for another pic of free-agent wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker’s car, showing off all the bells and whistles. 

Taj Gibson, Chicago Bulls

Instagram ID: tajgibson22

Caption: Once again big thanks to @iceman_nick for the Jesus pieces

Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson probably thinks he’s honoring his God with these gold/platinum/diamond monstrosities. Jesus is all like: “Smdh...”