SHAWN MERRIMAN | $13 MILLION | CEO & MMA FIGHTER

The former NFL linebacker, Shawn Merriman, just cannot stop working. After retiring from the football industry in 2013, the pro-athlete had several options laid on his feet for what to do next. A career in wrestling and an acting career was also on the list. However, he settled on putting his investment money on a clothing line called Lights Out. While the clothing line is doing fine, Merriman seems to be missing something.

He realized that he longs the adrenaline rush while playing sports, and that is when he started considering branching out and picked interest in MMA. Although Merriman wanted to fight as an MMA player, he came up with a better idea – putting up his own MMA promotional business. He partnered with Steve Bash and George Bastrmajyan and came out with Lights Out Xtreme Fighting – the name that he seems to stem from his sports clothing brand. Now, Merriman plans to fight competitively while being the owner of the company.