Lions Stars Quietly Took Bitcoin Salaries in 2020 — Now They’re Six Times Richer Than Their Contracts

Detroit, MI – July 27, 2025

In the NFL, multimillion-dollar contracts are often seen as the ultimate measure of a player’s success. But in Detroit, the true story runs much deeper — and far richer. A select group of Lions stars have quietly been taking their salaries in bitcoin since 2020, and now they’re sitting on fortunes that dwarf anything listed on paper.

General Manager Brad Holmes recently revealed, “People talk about contract value, but they don’t see the real wealth. Some of our guys took their salaries in bitcoin back in 2020 — so while the numbers on paper stayed the same, a few of these Lions are now sitting on wealth five or six times larger than any contract could show.”

Five years ago, bitcoin hovered at just $7,000. Guided by savvy advisors, top players like Penei Sewell, Frank Ragnow, and Amon-Ra St. Brown chose to take a large portion of their income in cryptocurrency, capitalizing on a historic low. That once-risky decision has now turned them into some of the NFL’s quietest millionaires.

As bitcoin’s value skyrocketed, these Lions stars watched their net worth soar far beyond the total sum of their reported salaries and bonuses. This, sources say, is why Detroit’s contract negotiations have often been less contentious — these players simply aren’t chasing every last dollar on paper anymore.

Their newfound wealth has sparked another, more selfless trend: Lions players have become pillars of the Detroit community, funding youth sports programs, building playgrounds, and endowing scholarships for local students. Holmes added, “The Lions aren’t just rich in talent — they’re rich in heart. That’s becoming our new legacy.”

The story of Detroit’s “bitcoin believers” has become an inspiration throughout the NFL, a reminder that true value isn’t just about the numbers in a contract, but about vision, risk-taking, and giving back.

Detroit is building a golden generation on and off the field — and their quiet bitcoin investors are proof that the Lions are playing a different game.