Don Yee Net Worth 2025
Don Yee at a Glance
- Net Worth (2025): $55 Million
- Birthdate: c. 1960
- Birthplace: Sacramento, California
- Profession: Sports Agent, Lawyer
- Nationality: American
Table of Contents
What is Don Yee’s Net Worth?
Don Yee has a net worth of $55 million. He is an American lawyer and one of the most prominent sports agents in the National Football League (NFL).
Yee built his fortune primarily through his sports agency, Yee & Dubin, which he co-founded with partner Steve Dubin. His wealth is derived from agent commissions earned by negotiating contracts for high-profile athletes and coaches. In the NFL, agent commissions on player contracts are capped at 3% by the NFL Players Association (NFLPA).
His most significant client was quarterback Tom Brady, whom he represented for his entire 23-year career. Yee negotiated all of Brady’s NFL contracts, which totaled over $333 million in on-field earnings. However, Yee and Brady were famous for structuring “team-friendly” deals that often involved less cash upfront to provide the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers with salary cap flexibility. While this strategy built championship rosters, it also meant Yee’s 3% commission was often on smaller contract values than Brady could have demanded on the open market.
Yee’s net worth saw its most substantial increase from a non-playing contract. He negotiated Tom Brady’s 10-year, $375 million broadcasting contract with Fox Sports. Commissions for broadcasting and entertainment deals are not capped at 3% and typically fall between 10% and 20%. A standard 10% fee on this deal alone would yield $37.5 million, forming the largest single component of Yee’s wealth.
His client list has also included other major figures like NFL coach Sean Payton, former New England Patriots receiver Julian Edelman, and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
Early Life
Don Yee was raised in Sacramento, California, as the son of Chinese immigrants. He attended UCLA for his undergraduate studies, where he interned at the KFBK radio station and gained early sports industry experience covering parts of Magic Johnson’s rookie season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Following UCLA, Yee moved east for his legal education. He earned his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law, graduating in 1987.
Career
Don Yee began his career as a sports agent in 1988, shortly after graduating from law school. He co-founded his Los Angeles-based agency, Yee & Dubin, with his partner, Steve Dubin. The agency focuses on contract negotiations, career guidance, and marketing for clients in the NFL and professional golf.
Yee’s career-defining move came in 1999. Acting on a tip from his partner Steve Dubin, a University of Michigan alumnus, Yee began scouting a Michigan quarterback who was not highly rated by NFL drafts. He signed Tom Brady before the 2000 NFL Draft, where Brady was famously selected in the sixth round with the 199th pick.
Yee guided Brady through his entire two-decade career, navigating seven Super Bowl victories and multiple contract negotiations. He also represented Brady during the “Deflategate” controversy, acting as his primary spokesperson and legal defender.
Unlike many of his peers, Yee is known for a quiet, low-profile, and highly professional approach that has earned him respect from team general managers. This reputation has helped him secure and represent other top-tier clients, including Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Yee famously represented both Brady and Garoppolo simultaneously while both quarterbacks were on the New England Patriots roster. His most recent major negotiation was securing Brady’s historic $375 million post-career broadcasting deal with Fox Sports.
FAQ
Who is Don Yee’s biggest client?
Don Yee’s biggest and most famous client is retired NFL quarterback Tom Brady. Yee represented Brady from 1999, before he was drafted, through his entire 23-year playing career and negotiated his subsequent $375 million broadcasting contract with Fox Sports.
What percentage does an NFL agent like Don Yee make?
The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) strictly regulates agent fees. An agent can charge a maximum of 3% commission on the value of a player’s NFL contract. However, this cap does not apply to non-playing deals, such as marketing or broadcasting contracts, where agent fees are typically 10% to 20%.
How much did Don Yee make from Tom Brady’s broadcasting deal?
The precise commission is private, but Tom Brady’s contract with Fox Sports is worth $375 million over 10 years. If Don Yee charged a standard 10% agent fee, which is common for entertainment and broadcasting deals, his commission from that single contract would be $37.5 million, paid out over the life of the deal.
Where did Don Yee go to college?
Don Yee completed his undergraduate degree at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He then earned his law degree (J.D.) from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1987.
