When he smashed his last backhand during the Laver Cup at the weekend, Roger Federer walked off the tennis court with a retirement net worth of $550 million, according to wealth-tracking website Celebrity Net Worth.
In total, he has earned more than $1.1 billion in endorsements and prize money during his career.
Federer has won 103 ATP singles titles, including 20 Grand Slam titles over 24 years.
With a longer tennis career than most players, he has collected $130.5m in prize money. The total puts him third in the tour’s history, behind long-time rivals Novak Djokovic at $159m and Rafael Nadal at $132m.
But Federer leads the all-time financial scoreboards, with more than $1bn in endorsements before taxes and agents’ fees, according to Forbes estimates.
By contrast, Nadal has banked $500m in endorsements and Djokovic $470m.
“I have played more than 1,500 matches over 24 years. Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever would have dreamt, and now I must recognise when it is time to end my competitive career,” Federer said on social media when announcing his retirement this month.
Despite not playing competitively since Wimbledon 2021, Federer’s annual off-court income totalled more than $90m in the subsequent 12 months, exceeding players in every other sport. That put him $10m ahead of basketball player LeBron James, Forbes said.
The Swiss former tennis world champion is one of just seven athletes to have crossed the $1bn mark while still active. Sport’s other billionaire earners include LeBron James, Lionel Messi, Floyd Mayweather, Cristiano Ronaldo, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.
Federer has long-term relationships with brands such as Rolex, Lindt, Mercedes and Credit Suisse. In 2018, he signed a 10-year deal with Uniqlo that was reportedly worth up to $300m.
Federer, who owns property in Dubai, has two major private equity investments that are of public knowledge. Since 2019, he has held an undisclosed stake in Zurich-based On Holding. One of the fastest-growing shoe companies in the world with a presence in 60 countries, it has a market capitalisation of nearly $6bn.
Last year, Federer joined Chilean FoodTech company NotCo’s $235m funding round alongside Lewis Hamilton and musician and DJ Questlove, joining existing investors Future Positive, L Catterton and Bezos Expeditions, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ investment arm.
NotCo, valued at $1bn, makes plant-based alternatives using artificial intelligence.
____________
Ye's style evolution — in pictures
Ye
Could Kanye West, now called Ye, be the next big star to sell his music catalogue?
The latest Off The Grid story about the rapper and fashion designer broke when Billboard reported Ye’s team had been quietly shopping his catalogue to potential buyers for a valuation of up to $175m, or 35 times its annual revenue of $5m.
Such a high valuation could reportedly include the opportunity to sign a go-forward publishing deal with the multi-platinum artist.
However, the 24-time Grammy Award winner has denied a potential deal. “Just like Taylor Swift… my publishing is being put up for my sale without my knowledge. Not for sale,” he posted on his Instagram page.
Even at $175m, a deal would pale in comparison with Ye’s total net worth, which Forbes estimates at $2bn. Bloomberg put his wealth at $6.6bn last year.
The 45-year-old’s main income sources are his music and fashion partnerships.
Ye has sold more than 35 million albums besides more than 100 million digital downloads.
He has lucrative multiyear design deals with high-street retailers. He designs Yeezy trainers for Adidas and Yeezy clothing with Gap.
The Yeezy-Gap partnership was expected to bring in $1bn in annual sales through to 2025. Its success led to a higher-end line called Yeezy Gap Engineered By Balenciaga.
Last week, the Donda hit maker notified Gap that he was terminating an agreement to design Yeezy clothing for the high-street retailer on grounds of breach of contract, The New York Times reported. He now plans to open his own stores.
Gap’s Yeezy Balenciaga line will not be affected.
Separately, Ye said he wanted to end his Adidas contract when it expires in 2026, Bloomberg reported.
In a series of now-deleted recent Instagram posts, he called out brand executives for allegedly copying Yeezy designs and halting business plans. An additional post appeared to refer to future legal action against Adidas.
____________
Watch: Kanye West changes name to Ye
Forbes magazine estimates that Ye’s deal with Adidas is worth $1.5bn, based on a multiple of annual earnings.
“It’s time for me to go it alone. I made the companies money. The companies made me money. We created ideas that will change apparel forever. Like the round jacket, the foam runner, the slides that have changed the shoe industry. Now it’s time for Ye to make the new industry. No more companies standing in between me and the audience,” the self-made billionaire told Bloomberg.
Leaving Adidas would see Ye’s net worth drop below $1bn, Forbes estimates.
Meanwhile, his latest venture is Donda Academy, a Christian preparatory school that aims to “prepare students to become the next generation of leaders”, according to its website.
Kevin Hart
Comedian Kevin Hart invested in wellness technology company Therabody through his Hartbeat Ventures, the start-up announced last week.
Hartbeat Ventures seeks to invest in companies with a focus on media, technology and lifestyle. The fund’s mission is to create financial inclusion for those who don’t have the access to funds. HV has invested in vegan food brand BeyondMeat, activewear brand Fabletics, Therabody and more.
The makers of the Theragun massage gun closed a growth equity round with a financial backing of $165m last week. Private equity company North Castle Partners led the round, which also drew participation from American football quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ Rx3 Ventures.
The company will use the new capital to invest in developing new products and services.
Hart has parlayed a career that began in stand-up comedy to an estimated net worth of $450m, according to Celebrity Net Worth, up from $400m in May.
As one of the world’s most well-paid comedians, the 43-year-old earned $39m in 2019, according to Forbes magazine. Average revenue from a tour can reach $70m.
____________
Watch: Kevin Hart practises Arabic to promote Yas Island
Beyond stand-up comedy, Hart has built a successful entertainment career, starring in films such as Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and The Upside, and putting out music under the name Chocolate Droppa.
He is a successful investor and businessman.
Hart’s other investments include comic books company Black Sands Entertainment through the TV show Shark Tank, catering app Hungry, beverage company Ellis Island Tea, and an underwear line with intimate garments brand Tommy John.
In August, he launched Hart House, a plant-based quick service food concept, in partnership with Michael Rubin, the founder of online sports merchandising retailer Fanatics. The first restaurant opened near Los Angeles International Airport.
In May, the actor raised $100m from private equity company Abry Partners to create a full-service entertainment company, also called Hartbeat.
Formed from a merger of Hart’s two entertainment businesses, Hartbeat focuses on entertainment content, gaming and creative and cultural consulting.
Abry’s stake was estimated at 15 per cent of Hartbeat, valuing the company at more than $650m. The deal put the comedian’s remaining 85 per cent stake at $552m.
Hart is also a co-founder of the beverage company Gran Coramino.
He has also cashed in on his celebrity appeal by partnering with brands such as Macy’s and Yas Island.
Kevin Hart's five most memorable films — in pictures
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Ways to control drones
Countries have been coming up with ways to restrict and monitor the use of non-commercial drones to keep them from trespassing on controlled areas such as airports.
"Drones vary in size and some can be as big as a small city car - so imagine the impact of one hitting an airplane. It's a huge risk, especially when commercial airliners are not designed to make or take sudden evasive manoeuvres like drones can" says Saj Ahmed, chief analyst at London-based StrategicAero Research.
New measures have now been taken to monitor drone activity, Geo-fencing technology is one.
It's a method designed to prevent drones from drifting into banned areas. The technology uses GPS location signals to stop its machines flying close to airports and other restricted zones.
The European commission has recently announced a blueprint to make drone use in low-level airspace safe, secure and environmentally friendly. This process is called “U-Space” – it covers altitudes of up to 150 metres. It is also noteworthy that that UK Civil Aviation Authority recommends drones to be flown at no higher than 400ft. “U-Space” technology will be governed by a system similar to air traffic control management, which will be automated using tools like geo-fencing.
The UAE has drawn serious measures to ensure users register their devices under strict new laws. Authorities have urged that users must obtain approval in advance before flying the drones, non registered drone use in Dubai will result in a fine of up to twenty thousand dirhams under a new resolution approved by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai.
Mr Ahmad suggest that "Hefty fines running into hundreds of thousands of dollars need to compensate for the cost of airport disruption and flight diversions to lengthy jail spells, confiscation of travel rights and use of drones for a lengthy period" must be enforced in order to reduce airport intrusion.
WHAT%20IS%20THE%20LICENSING%20PROCESS%20FOR%20VARA%3F
%3Cp%3EVara%20will%20cater%20to%20three%20categories%20of%20companies%20in%20Dubai%20(except%20the%20DIFC)%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECategory%20A%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Minimum%20viable%20product%20(MVP)%20applicants%20that%20are%20currently%20in%20the%20process%20of%20securing%20an%20MVP%20licence%3A%20This%20is%20a%20three-stage%20process%20starting%20with%20%5B1%5D%20a%20provisional%20permit%2C%20graduating%20to%20%5B2%5D%20preparatory%20licence%20and%20concluding%20with%20%5B3%5D%20operational%20licence.%20Applicants%20that%20are%20already%20in%20the%20MVP%20process%20will%20be%20advised%20by%20Vara%20to%20either%20continue%20within%20the%20MVP%20framework%20or%20be%20transitioned%20to%20the%20full%20market%20product%20licensing%20process.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECategory%20B%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Existing%20legacy%20virtual%20asset%20service%20providers%20prior%20to%20February%207%2C%202023%2C%20which%20are%20required%20to%20come%20under%20Vara%20supervision.%20All%20operating%20service%20proviers%20in%20Dubai%20(excluding%20the%20DIFC)%20fall%20under%20Vara%E2%80%99s%20supervision.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECategory%20C%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20New%20applicants%20seeking%20a%20Vara%20licence%20or%20existing%20applicants%20adding%20new%20activities.%20All%20applicants%20that%20do%20not%20fall%20under%20Category%20A%20or%20B%20can%20begin%20the%20application%20process%20through%20their%20current%20or%20prospective%20commercial%20licensor%20%E2%80%94%20the%20DET%20or%20Free%20Zone%20Authority%20%E2%80%94%20or%20directly%20through%20Vara%20in%20the%20instance%20that%20they%20have%20yet%20to%20determine%20the%20commercial%20operating%20zone%20in%20Dubai.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
INVESTMENT PLEDGES
Cartlow: $13.4m
Rabbitmart: $14m
Smileneo: $5.8m
Soum: $4m
imVentures: $100m
Plug and Play: $25m
The distance learning plan
Spring break will be from March 8 - 19
Public school pupils will undergo distance learning from March 22 - April 2. School hours will be 8.30am to 1.30pm
Staff will be trained in distance learning programmes from March 15 - 19
Teaching hours will be 8am to 2pm during distance learning
Pupils will return to school for normal lessons from April 5
Another way to earn air miles
In addition to the Emirates and Etihad programmes, there is the Air Miles Middle East card, which offers members the ability to choose any airline, has no black-out dates and no restrictions on seat availability. Air Miles is linked up to HSBC credit cards and can also be earned through retail partners such as Spinneys, Sharaf DG and The Toy Store.
An Emirates Dubai-London round-trip ticket costs 180,000 miles on the Air Miles website. But customers earn these ‘miles’ at a much faster rate than airline miles. Adidas offers two air miles per Dh1 spent. Air Miles has partnerships with websites as well, so booking.com and agoda.com offer three miles per Dh1 spent.
“If you use your HSBC credit card when shopping at our partners, you are able to earn Air Miles twice which will mean you can get that flight reward faster and for less spend,” says Paul Lacey, the managing director for Europe, Middle East and India for Aimia, which owns and operates Air Miles Middle East.
Employment lawyer Meriel Schindler of Withers Worldwide shares her tips on achieving equal pay
Do your homework
Make sure that you are being offered a fair salary. There is lots of industry data available, and you can always talk to people who have come out of the organisation. Where I see people coming a cropper is where they haven’t done their homework.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate
It’s quite standard to negotiate if you think an offer is on the low side. The job is unlikely to be withdrawn if you ask for money, and if that did happen I’d question whether you want to work for an employer who is so hypersensitive.
Know your worth
Women tend to be a bit more reticent to talk about their achievements. In my experience they need to have more confidence in their own abilities – men will big up what they’ve done to get a pay rise, and to compete women need to turn up the volume.
Work together
If you suspect men in your organisation are being paid more, look your boss in the eye and say, “I want you to assure me that I’m paid equivalent to my peers”. If you’re not getting a straight answer, talk to your peer group and consider taking direct action to fix inequality.
Fanney Khan
Producer: T-Series, Anil Kapoor Productions, ROMP, Prerna Arora
Director: Atul Manjrekar
Cast: Anil Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai, Rajkummar Rao, Pihu Sand
Rating: 2/5
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
MATCH INFO
Tottenham Hotspur 1
Kane (50')
Newcastle United 0
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Company%20profile
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It’ll be summer in the city as car show tries to move with the times
If 2008 was the year that rocked Detroit, 2019 will be when Motor City gives its annual car extravaganza a revamp that aims to move with the times.
A major change is that this week's North American International Auto Show will be the last to be held in January, after which the event will switch to June.
The new date, organisers said, will allow exhibitors to move vehicles and activities outside the Cobo Center's halls and into other city venues, unencumbered by cold January weather, exemplified this week by snow and ice.
In a market in which trends can easily be outpaced beyond one event, the need to do so was probably exacerbated by the decision of Germany's big three carmakers – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – to skip the auto show this year.
The show has long allowed car enthusiasts to sit behind the wheel of the latest models at the start of the calendar year but a more fluid car market in an online world has made sales less seasonal.
Similarly, everyday technology seems to be catching up on those whose job it is to get behind microphones and try and tempt the visiting public into making a purchase.
Although sparkly announcers clasp iPads and outline the technical gadgetry hidden beneath bonnets, people's obsession with their own smartphones often appeared to offer a more tempting distraction.
“It's maddening,” said one such worker at Nissan's stand.
The absence of some pizzazz, as well as top marques, was also noted by patrons.
“It looks like there are a few less cars this year,” one annual attendee said of this year's exhibitors.
“I can't help but think it's easier to stay at home than to brave the snow and come here.”
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Company%20Profile
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Pakistanis%20at%20the%20ILT20%20
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Afro%20salons
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BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000