Blake Martinez is a former star NFL linebacker who played for the Green Bay Packers. The team drafted him in 2016, and he played for them for 4 years. And after that, he played for the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders. But after that, he shocked everyone with his decision to retire in 2022.
Blake Martinez left the NFL in November 2022, after seven successful seasons, to sell Pokémon cards. And he did it to pay attention to his side business, a company called Blake’s Breaks, which is flourishing now. In an interview, Blake Martinez talked about how he had realized that he could do better in the Pokemon business.
“I just asked myself, do I want to keep starting over from ground zero with football, and keep destroying my body, or do I want to start over from ground zero here, and do something I can actually sustain for a long time? I loved football. But what I found out was I loved building and running my own team even more,” he said.
After retiring from professional football in 2022 to focus on the trading card industry, former pro linebacker Blake Martinez’s company Blake’s Breaks has earned $11.5 million in revenue from Pokémon cards. pic.twitter.com/qK7shzomeT
— IGN (@IGN) July 17, 2023
Martinez had officially launched Blake’s Breaks in July 2022 to run it as his side business. His business was all about buying and selling Pokémon cards. And just after a few months, he found out that its yearly revenue will exceed his annual NFL earnings. So he left the NFL to be able to devote 80 hours every week into his business.
Blake Martinez made around $30 million during his NFL career of 7 years. But as per reports, after retiring, Blake’s Breaks has helped him earn around $11.5 million till now. And now he may end up making even more in the coming years.
A look at the NFL career of Blake Martinez
Blake Martinez was born in January 1994 in Tucson, Arizona. And the inside linebacker has had a remarkable NFL career. He stood out as a two-year starter at linebacker for the Cardinal. And then he earned a spot on the prestigious first-team All-Pac-12 in 2015.
In 2016, the Green Bay Packers recognized Martinez’s potential and drafted Blake Martinez in the fourth round. They signed him to a four-year, $2.72 million contract, securing his position on their roster. And his talent shone through during his time with the Packers, establishing him as a formidable force on the field.
In March 2020, Martinez’s career took a new turn when he signed a lucrative contract with the New York Giants. And it was a three-year contract that was worth $30 million. But adversity struck during the 2021 season when a torn ACL sidelined Martinez.
Despite the setback, Blake Martinez showcased resilience and determination. And it led him to a contract with the Las Vegas Raiders in October 2022. Within days, he secured a spot on the active roster and played for them before retiring in 2022. And at present, his net worth stands at a huge $1.2 million.