Bill Belichick's net worth, massive NFL fine and girlfriend 48 years younger than him

Bill Belichick is a certified coaching legend. The 72-year-old is one of the sport's and a six-time Super Bowl champion. He boasts an impressive record of 333 wins and is also best known for his role as mentor to former superstar .

His illustrious career has seen him lead several franchises . However, Belichick's legacy was cemented when he took on the role of head coach for the New England Patriots in 2000, following assistant coaching roles with the Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, New York Giants, and Cleveland Browns.

During his tenure with the Patriots, he set an unmatched record of six Super Bowl victories and nine appearances in the prestigious game - the most in NFL history. However, this year saw from the Patriots which was a significant loss for the team. As speculation mounts about his next move, whether that be joining another NFL team or transitioning into a media role, Express Sport delves into his current net worth, personal life, and revisit the notorious 'Spygate' scandal.

Bill Belichick's net worth

The exact figure of Belichick's net worth remains somewhat elusive. estimates his value at around £54million ($70m) but due to the confidential nature of his contract with the Patriots, the precise amount is unknown, reports .

The annual earnings of the legendary coach have long been one of the best-kept secrets in the NFL. According to , rumours suggest his base salary was around £9m ($12m).

However, some speculate that this figure could be closer to £19m ($25m), considering he also served as the de facto general manager of the Patriots. The specifics of the veteran coach's contract have always been tightly guarded by the team.

It is known that his initial contract was for five years, with a two-year extension signed in 2003, followed by further deals in 2007, 2013 and 2023. When compared to other coaches, Belichick's salary is unsurpassed, however.

Officially reported salaries include Chip Kelly from his time with the San Francisco 49ers and Ron Rivera with the Carolina Panthers, both earning £4m ($6m) annually.

The scarcity of information regarding Belichick's worth led Forbes magazine to confess its ignorance over the 72-year-old's net worth, although they did as £5.7m ($7.5m) per year. Despite this, most experts and insiders believe he must have been the highest-paid head coach in the NFL.

Bill Belichick's girlfriend

After ending his long-term relationship with TV presenter Linda Holliday, Belichick shocked fans when his romance with 24-year-old Jordon Hudson became public. The unlikely pair sparked a connection on a flight in 2021, but their relationship was only confirmed in June this year.

Hudson is a self-proclaimed 'glamorous Girl Scout', as well as a pageant queen and cheerleader. Her cheerleading prowess led her to win a national championship while studying at Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts.

In terms of her pageantry career, she has participated in Miss Maine USA, where she was the first runner-up. Hudson is an entrepreneur and serves as an executive director at an exclusive members club, Trouble Club Enterprises.

She is also said to be involved in Belichick's business ventures. Belichick has been seen supporting Hudson's endeavours too, as he was spotted rooting for her at a cheerleading competition in Maryland earlier this year.

He is now reportedly planning to propose and was even seen browsing around 20 different shops in New York and Los Angeles for an engagement ring. The couple's relationship has elicited mixed responses due to their significant age gap, with Belichick having 48 years on Hudson.

Some NFL personalities have expressed their views, with the couple's romance even being mentioned by New England legend Rob Gronkowski after he teased Belichick during 's.

Bill Belichick's NFL fine

The esteemed Patriots coach, was once slapped with a hefty £385,000 ($500,000) fine, one of the largest in NFL history, while his team faced a £192,000 ($250,000) penalty for spying on an opponent's defensive signals, as per. The scandal erupted during the first game week of 2007 when Patriots video assistant Matt Estrella had his camera seized while on the New York Jets' sideline.

Jets coach Eric Mangini then alerted league officials to the possibility that the Patriots were recording their signals. After the match, the Jets lodged an official complaint with the league.

NFL regulations say: "No video recording devices of any kind are permitted to be in use in the coaches' booth, on the field, or in the locker room during the game." In the wake of the controversy, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell also stripped the Patriots of their first-round draft pick.

Reflecting on the incident, Goodell said: "This episode represents a calculated and deliberate attempt to avoid long-standing rules designed to encourage fair play and promote honest competition on the playing field."

Goodell revealed that he considered suspending Belichick, but instead chose a different path: "I believe that the discipline I am imposing of a maximum fine and forfeiture of a first-round draft choice, or multiple draft choices, is in fact more significant and long-lasting, and therefore more effective, than a suspension."

Belichick himself took responsibility for his actions, stating at the time: "I apologize to the Kraft family (Patriot's owners) and every person directly or indirectly associated with the New England Patriots for the embarrassment, distraction and penalty my mistake caused. I also apologize to Patriots fans and would like to thank them for their support during the past few days and throughout my career."

At the time, the measures levelled against Belichick were unprecedented in severity within the NFL. These were eventually surpassed by the sledgehammer blow dealt to New Orleans Saints' Sean Payton, who faced a suspension for the entirety of the 2012 season.