Andre Rison Net Worth: $20M to $250K Story

Andre “Bad Moon” Rison made millions during his NFL days. Today, he’s worth just $250,000. How does a football legend lose everything?

His story involves lavish spending, a mansion fire, and hard lessons. Let’s dive into the rise and fall of this talented receiver.

What Is Andre Rison’s Net Worth?

Andre Rison’s net worth sits at $250,000 in 2025. That’s shocking for someone who earned over $20 million during his career.

He played for seven NFL teams between 1989 and 2000. His biggest paychecks came from Atlanta and Cleveland contracts.

But money disappeared faster than he could count it. Here’s why his fortune vanished:

Traveled with an entourage of 40-50 people everywhere he went, paying for hotels, flights, and meals daily.
Bought multiple luxury cars, designer clothes, and expensive jewelry without thinking about the future.
Lost an $861,000 mansion in a devastating fire that destroyed everything he owned inside.
Failed to invest wisely in businesses or real estate that could generate passive income.
Trusted the wrong financial advisors who didn’t protect his money properly.

Financial Category	Amount
Total Career Earnings	$20+ Million
Current Net Worth (2025)	$250,000
Mansion Purchase Price	$861,000
Property Lost in Fire	$800,000+

Most professional athletes face financial troubles after retirement. Rison represents one of the most dramatic examples in sports history.

He went from private jets to coaching high school football. The fall from grace happened within just a few years.

Early Life

Born March 18, 1967, in Flint, Michigan, Andre showed athletic gifts early. He dominated every sport he touched growing up.

His journey to NFL stardom began in his hometown:

Flint Northwestern High School became his launching pad where scouts noticed his exceptional receiving skills.
He excelled in track and field as well, developing the speed that would make him dangerous on the football field.
Michigan State University offered him a full scholarship immediately after watching him play just one game.
College stats caught NFL attention during his junior and senior years when he posted incredible numbers.
The 1989 draft became his golden ticket to professional football and generational wealth.

Professional Football Career

Indianapolis Colts Era (1989)

Indianapolis selected him 22nd overall in the first round. Expectations ran high for the young Michigan State product.

His rookie season showed promise right away:

Caught 52 passes for 820 yards with four touchdowns in his first professional season.
Demonstrated the speed and route-running ability that made him a first-round pick.
Built chemistry with veteran quarterbacks despite being new to the NFL system.
The Colts surprisingly traded him after just one season to the Atlanta Falcons.

Atlanta Falcons Dynasty (1990-1994)

Atlanta became his home for five incredible seasons. This is where “Bad Moon” truly rose to stardom.

His Falcons years produced legendary performances:

In 1993, he led the entire NFL with 15 touchdown receptions, establishing himself as the league’s most dangerous receiver.
Only five receivers in NFL history reached 60 touchdowns as quickly as he did in his first six seasons.
Fans loved his flamboyant style and creative touchdown celebrations that brought entertainment to every game.
His chemistry with quarterback Jeff George created one of the league’s most explosive offensive duos.
He earned Pro Bowl selections and became the face of the Falcons franchise during this golden era.

Team	Years	Key Achievement
Indianapolis Colts	1989	Promising rookie debut
Atlanta Falcons	1990-1994	Peak years, league TD leader
Cleveland Browns	1995	Lucrative free agent deal
Jacksonville Jaguars	1996 (offseason)	Brief stint
Green Bay Packers	1996	Super Bowl champion
Kansas City Chiefs	1997-1999	Pro Bowl selection
Oakland Raiders	2000	Final NFL season
Toronto Argonauts (CFL)	2004	Grey Cup winner

Cleveland Browns Disappointment (1995)

Cleveland offered him a massive free-agent contract before 1995. He signed immediately, expecting continued success there.

Instead, his worst professional season unfolded:

Posted career-low numbers with just 47 receptions for 701 yards across the entire season.
Only three touchdowns came that year, a massive drop from his typical double-digit touchdown production.
His average dropped to just 2.9 catches per game, well below his career standards.
The struggling Browns offense never found rhythm, limiting opportunities for explosive plays.

Green Bay Packers Glory (1996)

After a brief Jacksonville visit, Green Bay signed him mid-season. Head coach Mike Holmgren believed in his talent still.

The Packers gamble paid off beautifully:

He won a Super Bowl XXXI championship ring, the ultimate goal every player dreams about achieving.
Playing alongside Brett Favre rejuvenated his confidence and brought out his best receiving skills again.
His veteran presence helped the young Packers receivers learn professional techniques and mental preparation.
That championship validated his entire career journey and proved doubters wrong after Cleveland struggles.

Kansas City Chiefs Years (1997-1999)

Kansas City offered him a fresh start before 1997. His first season there earned him Pro Bowl honors.

His Chiefs tenure brought new nicknames and memories:

Chiefs fans gave him the “Spider-Man” nickname after his web-shooting touchdown celebrations became signature moves.
His first season delivered Pro Bowl production with numerous highlight-reel catches and touchdowns.
He helped the team make playoff appearances during his time wearing red and gold.
His second and third seasons showed declining production as age and injuries caught up gradually.

Oakland Raiders Finale (2000)

Oakland gave him one final NFL opportunity in 2000. At age 33, he knew this might be his last season.

His farewell season produced respectable numbers:

Caught 41 passes for 606 yards, proving he could still contribute at the highest level.
Six touchdowns showed he remained a red-zone threat despite declining speed and explosiveness.
His veteran leadership helped younger Raiders receivers develop their professional approach to the game.
But it wasn’t enough production to earn another contract offer from any team.

Statistical Category	Career Total
Total Receptions	743 catches
Receiving Yards	10,205 yards
Receiving Touchdowns	84 TDs
Kickoff Returns	8 returns, 150 yards
Rushing Attempts	9 carries, 23 yards

Canadian Football League Comeback (2004)

After four years away from professional football, Toronto Argonauts called in August 2004. The CFL offered one more shot at glory.

His Canadian adventure delivered one final championship:

He helped Toronto win the Grey Cup championship in his only CFL season at age 37.
His NFL experience and leadership proved invaluable to younger teammates learning the professional game.
Canadian fans appreciated his veteran presence and willingness to share knowledge with developing players.
Toronto released him the following August in 2005, ending his professional playing career for good.

Pursuits After Football

Coaching became his natural transition after hanging up cleats forever. Football remained his passion and livelihood going forward.

His coaching journey started back in his hometown:

Beecher High School in Flint hired him as assistant coach in 2006, working there through three successful football seasons.
March 2010 brought a head coaching opportunity at Flint Northwestern, his old high school where everything started.
He left that position in May 2012 to finish his Michigan State degree that he’d started decades earlier.
Michigan State welcomed him back as assistant coach, where his NFL experience benefited college players tremendously.
He founded the Andre Rison Football Academy independently, training young receivers for high school and college competition.

His academy focuses on proper technique and mental preparation. Young players pay premium rates for training from an NFL legend.

He emphasizes financial literacy to current players too. His own mistakes serve as powerful teaching moments for the next generation.

Personal Life

ESPN sportscaster Chris Berman coined his famous “Bad Moon” nickname. It references the Creedence Clearwater Revival song perfectly.

His personality and lifestyle created memorable moments:

The “Bad Moon” name fit his flashy personality and controversial lifestyle choices both on and off the field.
Kansas City fans gave him the “Spider-Man” nickname after his web-shooting touchdown celebrations became signature moves.
He lived large during his playing days, never shy about showing off his wealth and success publicly.
His son Hunter followed in his football footsteps, playing wide receiver at Michigan State as a true freshman in 2017.
Hunter later transferred to Kansas State University in 2018, continuing the Rison football legacy into the next generation.

House Fire

Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes from TLC entered his life in 1993. Their relationship became one of the most talked-about celebrity romances in sports.

She was a Grammy-winning artist with worldwide fame herself. Together, they attracted constant media attention and tabloid scrutiny everywhere they went.

Their volatile relationship featured multiple troubling incidents:

Domestic violence allegations surfaced multiple times over the years from both sides of the relationship.
Police responded to their home on several occasions for disturbance calls and heated arguments.
Friends and family worried about the toxic dynamics between the two strong-willed personalities.
June 1994 brought the infamous fire incident that shocked the entire sports and entertainment world.

The fire incident unfolded in dramatic fashion:

Rison returned home at 6:30 a.m. after partying overnight with friends, which infuriated Lopes immediately.
She grabbed several of his expensive designer shoes and placed them in the bathtub angrily.
Lopes lit the shoes on fire in a moment of rage and frustration over his behavior.
The fire quickly spread beyond the bathroom walls, consuming the entire mansion within hours that morning.
He’d purchased the property just two years earlier for $861,000, featuring seven bedrooms and six beautiful fireplaces.
A professional recording studio sat in the basement too, all destroyed when everything burned to ashes.

Despite this devastating incident, they continued dating on and off until 2001. Their connection remained strong despite the obvious problems.

Lopes tragically died in a car accident in Honduras in 2002. Her death affected him deeply, ending their complicated love story forever.

Why Did Andre Rison Go Broke After Earning Millions?

Lifestyle inflation destroyed his fortune faster than anyone could have imagined. Earning money proved easier than keeping it wisely invested.

Multiple factors contributed to his financial collapse:

Traveling with an entourage of 40-50 people cost thousands daily for hotels, first-class flights, meals, and entertainment expenses.
He bought luxury cars, expensive jewelry, and designer clothes constantly without considering long-term financial planning.
Every purchase multiplied by 50 people in his crew drained accounts faster than his salary could replenish.
Poor financial advice made things worse over the years as he trusted the wrong people with investment decisions.
He didn’t invest properly in businesses or income-generating real estate that could’ve secured his future after football.
The mansion fire cost him nearly $900,000 in property value, though insurance might’ve covered some of the loss.
Child support payments and other family obligations added additional monthly expenses that continued after retirement.
His partying lifestyle included expensive nights at clubs, bottles of champagne, and constant celebration that drained resources quickly.

Financial advisors estimate he spent money five times faster than he earned it. That math doesn’t work for anyone, regardless of income level.

How Does Andre Rison Make Money Now?

His current income comes from multiple modest sources combined. It’s nowhere near his NFL earnings, but provides stable living.

His revenue streams include:

Coaching positions at high schools and colleges pay modest annual salaries between $40,000 to $80,000 depending on the program.
The Andre Rison Football Academy generates additional revenue as parents pay premium rates for NFL-level training expertise.
Appearances at sports events and autograph signings bring thousands per event, though opportunities come irregularly throughout the year.
Memorabilia sales provide passive income as signed jerseys and footballs sell for hundreds of dollars to collectors.
Speaking engagements at schools and businesses about financial literacy earn him fees ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 per event.
His NFL pension provides monthly payments that help cover basic living expenses after qualifying for retirement benefits.

It’s not millions anymore, but it’s honest work that brings fulfillment. He rebuilt his life completely from scratch after losing everything.

He’s become an advocate for financial education among young athletes. His mistakes serve as cautionary tales for current NFL players earning big contracts.

FAQs

How much did Andre Rison make in the NFL?

He earned over $20 million from salary and endorsements during his playing career.

Did Andre Rison win a Super Bowl?

Yes, he won Super Bowl XXXI with the Green Bay Packers in 1996.

Who burned down Andre Rison’s house?

Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes accidentally burned it down in 1994 after lighting his shoes on fire.

What teams did Andre Rison play for?

He played for the Colts, Falcons, Browns, Jaguars, Packers, Chiefs, Raiders, and Toronto Argonauts.

Is Andre Rison in the Hall of Fame?

No, he’s not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame despite impressive career statistics.

Does Andre Rison have kids?

Yes, his son Hunter Rison played college football at Michigan State and Kansas State.

Conclusion

Andre Rison’s story teaches valuable lessons about money management and lifestyle choices. Earning millions doesn’t guarantee keeping them. Poor spending habits destroyed a $20 million fortune in just a few short years.

Today, he’s rebuilding through coaching and training the next generation of players. His net worth might be low, but his legacy lives on through the lives he impacts. He’s living proof that life offers second chances after devastating mistakes.