Forbes recently released its list of the most disliked American athletes. The diverse collection included former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens, who always seems to be part of the conversation, but before making the list, Owens was headline another called “Athletes Gone Broke.”

Lamenting his financial woes in a February GQ article, the controversial but talented athlete has seen most of his $80 million NFL fortune disappear. How did it happen? According to Owens, a combination of poor investments and large child support payments ($44,600 per month) combined with the lethal mistake of putting his trust in the wrong people.

So what’s person like T.O. to do? He still hopes to someday be able to return to the NFL, but for now, he’ll be making ends meet by playing for the Indoor Football League (IFL). Owens has joined the Allen Wranglers as a wide receiver earning $250,000, with the opportunity to earn an additional $250,000 as a part owner of the team — not exactly the salary of an NFL star, but perhaps the experience will catapult Owens back into the NFL.

Meanwhile, another athlete joining Owens on the “Athletes Gone Broke” list is former NBA star Allen Iverson. He too has been making headlines after returning from a stint in Turkey’s professional basketball league in an effort to resume his NBA career. While he grabbed a $4 million payday overseas, he’s blown through most of his $154 million NBA earnings.

Iverson has been less forthcoming than Owens about where his earnings have gone, but he seemed to have a weakness for jewelry. He also had quite the possible to take care of, sometimes with as many as 50 people. He also spent money on home game tickets and a traveling hairstylist.

His financial situation is so dire that the Philadelphia Inquirer reported on February 12 that Iverson owes a Georgia jeweler about $860,000. By court order, with a bank account that has been taken over and earnings that are pretty much gone, his remaining wages will be garnished to pay the debt.

From his 14 NBA seasons, the former MVP and NBA All-Star earned $154 million in addition to the $7 million per year from Reebok. At the height of his earnings in his 2008-09 season with the Detroit Pistons, Iverson had been paid $20.8 million.

Iverson is currently open to different opportunities that will eventually land him back in the NBA. To get there, he is considering the Caribbean, South America, or the D-League.

So far no NBA teams have expressed interest and the clock is ticking for Iverson. According to ESPN, if he doesn’t sign with team by the NBA’s February 26 All-Star Game, he may just have to retire.

To contact the reporter on this story: Debbie Baratz at staff.writers@wallstcheatsheet.com

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Damien Hoffman at editors@wallstcheatsheet.com

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