Discovering the Football Player with the Highest Net Worth in 2024
2025-11-16 11:00
As I was researching for this piece about discovering the football player with the highest net worth in 2024, I stumbled upon something fascinating that made me reconsider how we measure success in sports. You see, I've always been fascinated by the intersection of passion and profitability in athletics. While everyone's busy calculating Ronaldo's real estate portfolio or Messi's endorsement deals, I found myself drawn to a different kind of sports story altogether - one that involves Pokémon and running shoes rather than football boots and stadiums.
The Pokémon Company's partnership with RUNRIO really caught my attention last month. Here's what happened: they created this incredible fusion of the beloved global media franchise and active lifestyle where runners participated in 10K, 5K, 3K, and 1K races. Now, I know what you're thinking - what does this have to do with football wealth? Well, stick with me here. RUNRIO president Rio de la Cruz shared something that blew my mind - those 10,000 slots for the run sold out in just 15 minutes! Fifteen minutes! That's faster than some football transfers get finalized. He mentioned how they were all Pokémon fans growing up and how bringing these creatures to life while blending them with their love for running felt like such a treat. This got me thinking about how we value different kinds of success in sports.
You know, when we talk about discovering the football player with the highest net worth in 2024, we're usually just counting zeros in bank accounts. But watching this Pokémon running event unfold made me realize there's another dimension to success that often gets overlooked - the ability to create experiences that people genuinely connect with. The runners weren't there for prize money; they were there because it meant something to them. That kind of emotional connection? That's priceless. And honestly, I think some football clubs could learn from this approach.
Let me share a personal perspective here - I've been to countless football matches where the commercial aspects completely overshadow the game itself. But this Pokémon run? It felt different even from the stories I heard. It wasn't about monetizing every single aspect; it was about creating shared joy. Rio de la Cruz captured it perfectly when he said they were "happy to be part of making this happen, which is a first in the country." That sense of pioneering something meaningful - that's the kind of energy we should be bringing to football too.
Now, circling back to discovering the football player with the highest net worth in 2024 - what if we started measuring worth differently? What if we considered not just their bank balances but their ability to create genuine connections with fans? The Pokémon Company and RUNRIO showed us that when you combine nostalgia with active participation, you create something magical. Those 10,000 people who signed up in 15 minutes? They weren't just customers; they were participants in a shared experience.
I remember talking to a friend who participated in that Pokémon run, and she told me it was one of the most joyful sporting events she'd ever attended. Nobody cared about their finish time; they were just excited to see Pikachu cheering them on. That's the kind of energy that builds lasting value - something that transcends mere financial calculations.
So yes, when we're discovering the football player with the highest net worth in 2024, we'll probably still look at their contracts and endorsements. But maybe we should also consider their ability to create moments that matter to people. The Pokémon-RUNRIO partnership proved that when you tap into genuine passion, the financial success follows naturally. Those sold-out races? That's the kind of "net worth" that goes beyond dollar signs - it's about being worth people's time, attention, and emotional investment. And in many ways, that's the most valuable currency of all in today's sports landscape.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
