By IlerioluwakiIye Tubi | Modern Mogul Magazine | July 2025 | London
In the world of elite sport, success isn't just measured in medals or match wins — it's a lifestyle. For the globe-trotting athletes whose schedules swing from international competitions to corporate obligations, time is money — and nothing says control like owning the skies.
Private jets have long symbolised power, privacy, and pace — qualities professional athletes prize highly. More than a luxury, these aircraft are time machines for the ultra-successful, allowing them to skip queues, cross continents in comfort, and stay ahead of both opponents and obligations.
Here, we profile the most extravagant private jets owned by sports’ wealthiest stars — a collection where engineering brilliance meets personal branding.
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Lionel Messi – Gulfstream V | £12 million
Footballing icon Lionel Messi invested in a Gulfstream V in 2018, a £12 million airborne suite tailored to meet the needs of one of the sport’s busiest athletes. With a net worth nearing £400 million, Messi’s aircraft features seating for 16, two bathrooms, a kitchen, and a layout convertible into eight beds. The tail number — LV-IRQ — is as discreet as the custom touches are personal: his number “10” painted on the tail, and his family’s names engraved on the steps.
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Tom Brady – Gulfstream G550 | £15.5 million
NFL legend Tom Brady may have retired, but his travel game remains elite. His Gulfstream G550, valued around £15.5 million, is outfitted with sleeping arrangements for 19, a full kitchen, and high-spec features to suit his broadcasting commitments with Fox Sports. The G.O.A.T. is also an investor in Wheels Up, making private aviation part of both his lifestyle and portfolio.
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Neymar Jr. – Cessna Citation Sovereign | £20 million
Brazilian superstar Neymar owns a Cessna Citation Sovereign valued at around £20 million. With a cruising speed near Mach 0.80 and space for 12 passengers, the jet — registered PR-SMK — is his tool for balancing a hectic schedule of matches, endorsements, and family time. It complements his aviation fleet, which includes a Phenom 100 jet and a Eurocopter.
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Shaquille O’Neal – Bombardier Challenger 650 | £21 million
Shaq’s Bombardier Challenger 650 is built to fit his 7’1” frame, both literally and metaphorically. Complete with extra legroom and custom interiors, this £21 million jet reflects the larger-than-life personality of the former NBA star. His "Dunkman" logo adorns the aircraft, and with more than 80 flights in 2024 alone, it’s clear Shaq still travels like a champion.
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Jack Nicklaus – Gulfstream GIV-SP | £26 million
At 85, golf legend Jack Nicklaus remains airborne thanks to “Air Bear,” his Gulfstream GIV-SP. Nicklaus first caught the aviation bug in the 1960s and gradually upgraded to the £26 million model he flies today. His reasoning? Efficiency. The jet has enabled him to juggle business ventures, philanthropy, and a legendary golfing career with ease.
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Magic Johnson – Gulfstream III | £31 million
Basketball’s most charismatic point guard, Magic Johnson, owns a Gulfstream III worth an estimated £31 million. Registered as N32MJ, the aircraft includes space for 19 passengers and features such as a cigar lounge, private bedroom, and bar. It’s a high-flying extension of Johnson’s billion-dollar empire and enduring legacy.
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Max Verstappen – Dassault Falcon 8X | £33 million
Formula 1’s reigning king Max Verstappen took delivery of a Dassault Falcon 8X in 2022. Valued at £33 million, the jet is capable of nearly 12,000 km nonstop and is decorated in Verstappen’s racing colours, with his personal logo emblazoned on the tail. The aircraft features business-class seating, a full bar, and top-tier performance that matches the Dutch driver’s style on track.
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Floyd Mayweather – Gulfstream G650 & IV | £39 million (combined)
Floyd “Money” Mayweather is no stranger to excess. His primary jet, a Gulfstream G650 dubbed “Air Mayweather,” is joined by a GIV used for his entourage. Total investment? Roughly £39 million. With interiors decked in gold-plated finishes and his brand ‘TMT’ (The Money Team) stitched throughout, Mayweather’s jets are as loud as his record — 50-0.
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Tiger Woods – Gulfstream G550 | £43 million
Tiger Woods' G550, valued at £43 million, is a refined statement of power. Equipped with a private office, bedroom, satellite Wi-Fi, and plush seating for 14, the jet reflects his commitment to privacy and precision. Despite recent injuries grounding him temporarily, Woods' aircraft remains a crucial part of his business and philanthropic endeavours.
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Rory McIlroy – Gulfstream G650ER | £55 million
Having joined the elite club of career Grand Slam winners, Rory McIlroy now travels in a £55 million Gulfstream G650ER — one of the fastest and longest-range business jets in the world. Registered as N1989R, it blends unmatched speed (Mach 0.9) with comfort for 16 passengers. It’s an upgrade from his Challenger 605, offering greater range and prestige for one of golf’s brightest stars.
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Michael Jordan – Gulfstream G650ER | £55 million
Michael Jordan, the original sporting billionaire, flies a Gulfstream G650ER with a bespoke paint job inspired by his iconic Air Jordans. With seating for 19, a cigar lounge, and a luxury bar, this £55 million aircraft screams status. The tail number N236MJ nods to his jersey, rings, and initials. Jordan's jet is the ultimate in sporting luxury — fitting for the man who turned athletic success into a global empire.
Cristiano Ronaldo – Gulfstream G650 | £58 million
Rounding out the list is Cristiano Ronaldo, who upgraded from a Gulfstream G200 to a £58 million G650. Painted in black and silver with his CR7 branding and signature ‘Siuuu’ pose on the fuselage, this jet is a reflection of Ronaldo's brand power and global reach. With seating for 19 and Rolls-Royce engines, it’s capable of crossing continents with ease — much like Ronaldo himself.
Jet-Set Billionaires
For today’s sporting elite, private jets are more than status symbols — they’re strategic tools that enable global business, media ventures, and family life to coexist. In the high-stakes world of professional sport, control over one’s time and environment is the ultimate victory — and nothing achieves that quite like a personalised aircraft cruising above the
