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Cast your mind back to 2002. Nickelback had the year’s top song, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were the champs of the NFL.
It was the team’s first season with fiery head coach Jon Gruden, and the Bucs had visions of multiple Lombardi trophies lining the cabinets. Long-suffering fans were ecstatic and ready to keep the pirate ship at Raymond James Stadium well-stocked with cannon fodder to celebrate their team’s triumphs.
It’s been a long drought of irrelevance coupled with bad coaching—the Bucs hadn’t even sniffed the playoffs since 2007. Until this season’s arrival of a certain quarterback with more rings than one hand can hold.
At the age of 43, Tom Brady has propelled the Bucs back to national prominence. And the superstar with six Super Bowl wins has remained busy off the field in a variety of high-end homes. We’ve chronicled his real estate portfolio fairly exhaustively over the years, but there are many other Bucs who’ve made big splashes with baller homes.
In our rundown of the housing histories of some notable Buccaneers, we’ll begin at the top where the true money lies. Sure, Brady is the biggest baller in the NFL, but he can’t compete with the billions amassed by the owners of the Bucs.
Glazers safe on Harbour Island
After the death of patriarch Malcom Glazer in 2014, the Glazer sons assumed ownership of the Buccaneers. Malcolm had purchased the team in 1995 for $195 million—a price that in retrospect is a huge bargain.
According to Forbes, the team is now worth around $1.2 billion.
The family’s original fortune came through commercial real estate. But their balance sheets have grown thanks to another savvy purchase in the sports world. The family bought the legendary English Premier League club Manchester United in 2005, which helped them land on Forbes’ U.S. richest family list in 2015, with a joint worth of $4.7 billion.
And their real estate holdings are worthy of wealthy titans.
Along with ownership of the Buccaneers, Bryan Glazer has kept his real estate transactions in the family. Bryan is co-owner of the team with his brothers, Edward and Joel Glazer.
In 2013, Bryan purchased a home from Joel and Joel’s wife, Angela, on Tampa’s posh Harbour Island, for $5.5 million, records show. Set on a half-acre, the 8,608-square-foot mansion has five bedrooms and 6.5 bathrooms.
Bryan also owns a larger estate next door, which he built in 2008 on land he picked up from Joel and Angela in 2006 for $1.7 million. Measuring almost 13,000 square feet, the 11-bedroom home is set on 1.54 acres.
Both of Bryan’s homes front the Seddon Channel.
Joel and Angela also maintain a home on Harbour Island. They picked up a five-bedroom, five-bathroom abode in 2001.
Edward and his wife, Shari, have their sights on the West Coast. The couple own a pad in the posh Beverly Park neighborhood of Beverly Hills, which they picked up for $4,125,000 in 2003. The 19,313-square-foot mansion has eight bedrooms and 11 bathrooms and comes with 2.75 acres.
The couple have also moved up the coast to the upscale town of Montecito, where they purchased two adjacent properties in 2015. They reportedly paid a hefty $21.5 million for a 9-acre estate with a 12,900-square-foot home and detached, two-bedroom guesthouse. That purchase adjoins another estate that the couple bought for $15 million.
Both homes have views of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez mountains.
GM Jason Licht stays the course
General manager Jason Licht was hired to revive the Bucs sagging fortunes in 2014. And although the team failed to make the playoffs for six seasons and cycled through three head coaches, Licht held on to his role in the team’s front office.
He and wife Elizabeth Licht have also held on to the same Tampa residence since 2014.
The couple grabbed a French Provincial–style property in the desirable Beach Park neighborhood for close to $1.2 million in 2014. It was initially listed in 2012 for $1.6 million.
The 5,565-square-foot home has 5.5 bathrooms and five bedrooms, including a master suite with screened balcony. There’s also guest quarters in the pool house and an in-law suite with kitchenette.
The layout features a chef’s kitchen with a Viking cooktop. A huge gathering room with fireplace is perfect for family time or for throwing large parties.
French doors in the living area open to a covered and screened outdoor area. On a quarter-acre, the home comes with a pool and outdoor kitchen. There’s also an office, game or media room, and loft for a gym.
Jason Licht’s Tampa, FL, abode realtor.com
Bruce Arians has a beautiful waterfront home
After two seasons with Tampa Bay, head coach Bruce Arians is headed to the Super Bowl for the first time as the man in charge.
Arians made it known that playing the Super Bowl in Tampa—remarkably enough, the first time a team in the big game has played in its home stadium—was a “huge advantage.”
After the Bucs won the NFC Championship in frigid Green Bay, he said, “We stay in our own beds, sleep here, and just do our normal routine.”
And the coach will rest his head in a home he purchased last fall for $2.5 million. The Sunset Park Isles waterfront spread looks to be the ultimate Florida pad, complete with boat dock, pool, and plenty of outdoor entertaining spaces.
Set on a quarter-acre, the five-bedroom home offers 3,860 square feet of living space. The open plan includes a breezy kitchen with breakfast bar and center island. The spacious family room with fireplace opens to the lanai overlooking the pool and bay. The master suite takes up the second floor and features an updated master bath.
Bruce Arians’ waterfront spread realtor.com
Prior to taking over in Tampa, Arians led the Arizona Cardinals for five season. When he left the Cardinals in 2017, he also flew away from his nest in the Phoenix area, listing it for $1.5 million. It was eventually sold in 2018 for $1.28 million, which meant he broke even. Arians had purchased the place in 2013 for $1.2 million.
As he likes to say, “No risk-it, no biscuit.”
Tom Brady has a terrific portfolio
Don’t ever bet against Tom Brady.
After 20 years and six Super Bowl wins with the New England Patriots, the 43-year-old quarterback jumped to the Buccaneers and led the previously beleaguered squad to the Super Bowl. In addition to big wins on the field, he’s known for bold real estate choices.
The signal caller recently made headlines with a massive $17 million purchase on Florida’s Atlantic Coast on ultra-exclusive Indian Creek Island.
But rather than move in, he and wife Gisele Bündchen apparently plan to raze the existing dwelling and build anew.
Meanwhile, they had been leasing the swanky digs belonging to baseball Hall of Famer Derek Jeter.
If they’re tired of rental life, perhaps they can move into a modern turnkey home they’d been eyeing nearby, a Clearwater, FL, residence last available for a tidy $7.5 million.
Meanwhile, the couple have enjoyed recent real estate fortune, finally selling the custom estate they left behind in Brookline, MA. The property was reportedly sold for $32.5 million. The 12,000-square-foot mansion outside of Boston debuted on the market for $39.5 million in 2019, then quickly dropped to $33.9 million.
Tom Brady’s estate in Brookline, MA realtor.com
The two also unloaded one of two Manhattan condos they own, reportedly pocketing close to the $40 million asking price. If that’s accurate, then the couple made a killing on the investment, which they had picked up in 2018 for $25.46 million.
Gronk knows real estate
After spending nine seasons with the Patriots, Rob Gronkowski came out of retirement to join his former teammate Brady in Tampa.
Gronk also made some adjustments to his real estate portfolio. The talented tight end let go of his Boston digs—selling a penthouse in early 2019 for $2.3 million.
The future Hall of Famer purchased the unit in 2016 for $1.9 million. The 2,100-square-foot apartment was listed for $2,375,000.
The 31-year-old wasn’t too far away when he got the call to join the Bucs. In 2019, he picked up a two-unit Miami condo for $1.7 million. The swanky spot on the 39th floor of the Marquis Miami offers 3,850 square feet of living space, including five bedrooms and 4.5 baths. Soaring ceilings and walls of windows provide spectacular views of the bay and ocean.
But Gronk wasn’t finished flexing his real estate muscle. He’s also renting a three-bedroom penthouse in Tampa, located on the 28th floor in the Towers of Channelside.
Along with offering “to die for” views, the 4,500-square-foot aerie offers a 1,350-square-foot balcony, chef’s kitchen with two large fridges and a wine cooler, and resort-style living with amenities including an infinity pool and a clubhouse.
Rob Gronkowski’s penthouse rental realtor.com
The three-time Super Bowl champ also briefly owned a party pad in Tampa for $1.6 million in 2012, after inking a six-year, $54 million contract extension with the Patriots. He appeared to have a change of heart, selling the place fully furnished in 2013 for $2.08 million, less than the $2.4 million he’d asked, but still eking out a profit.
Antonio Brown stays close to home
Antonio Brown spent the bulk of his career starring for the Pittsburgh Steelers, prior to brief stints with the Oakland Raiders and New England Patriots. Joining the Bucs was easy, given his home base in the Sunshine State.
Brown owns a home in Fort Lauderdale, FL, which he purchased in 2016 for $6.6 million. The 18,000-square-foot mansion delivers plenty of perks, including a lovely pool, elevator, gym, home theater, and, according to the Miami Herald, even a personal synagogue.
The lavish listing had been on the market for as much as $9.9 million, but eventually dropped to $7.5 million before Brown picked it up.
Antonio Brown’s Fort Lauderdale, FL, estate realtor.com
The 32-year-old may have been spending a little more time in the neighborhood, as he was reportedly accused of wrecking a security camera in his neighborhood and throwing a bicycle at a guard just before signing with the Bucs. However, he wasn’t charged and the issue was reportedly resolved.
Brown left the Steelers in 2019, as well as a massive mansion in suburban Gibsonia, PA, an upscale area about 30 minutes north of Heinz Field.
The wideout bought the newly built home in 2014 for $1.91 million. The 8,797-square-foot home sits on 3 acres and has five bedrooms and 6.5 bathrooms. Brown added a sport court, artificial turf field, and two-story treehouse. Brown initially listed it for $2.3 million, but it’s currently off the market.
Antonio Brown’s Gibsonia, PA, home realtor.com
His short-lived stint with the Oakland Raiders resulted in a home purchase in the East Bay enclave of Alamo, CA, for $3.2 million in April 2019. That modern abode quickly came back on the market in the fall for $3.3 million. It was sold in early 2020 for $3 million, marking a small loss for the All-Pro wideout.
Antonio Brown’s Alamo, CA, home realtor.com
Mike Evans also resides in elegance
Wide receiver Mike Evans has been with the Bucs since being drafted by the team in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. In 2018, he and wife Ashli purchased a $1.2 million home in Tampa. The price tag is modest as far as sports figures go, but the home is impressive.
With five bedrooms, five bathrooms, and 4,393 square feet, the custom-built home offers modern interiors, a separate guesthouse, pool, and grill center.
The great room features a beamed ceiling, fireplace, and French doors. The first-floor master suite has a luxury bath and great closet space. The home is located in a gated community with a park and Bay Lake access.
Mike Evans’ home in Tampa, FL realtor.com
The Texas native and former Texas A&M star also owns a home in Katy, TX, which he purchased in 2017. The four-bedroom home offers a whopping 9,383 square feet of living space. The custom build on 2.3 acres includes a landscaped backyard, lazy river pool, and two-story living space. It also features a spacious kitchen, gym, and home theater.
Evans’ Katy, TX, property realtor.com
Jason Pierre-Paul wheels and deals
Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul joined the Bucs in 2018. But the Deerfield, FL, native had dabbled in Florida real estate long before suiting up in the pewter and red of the Bucs.
The talented player had owned a fixer-upper in Boca Raton that he bought in 2012 for $1.2 million. He was starring for the New York Giants at the time, and he immediately began a series of renovations that took two years to complete.
The once-dated abode was transformed to a marvelous modern residence with high ceilings, a spa, renovated kitchen, custom office area, and plenty of space inside and out. The 5,433-square-foot home has six bedrooms and six bathrooms.
Jason Pierre-Paul’s fixer-upper in Boca Raton, FL realtor.com
He placed the refreshed property on the market in 2015 for $2.1 million. It took two years and several price cuts to finally offload the place, at a price of $1.2 million, exactly what he paid for it pre-renovation.
After that project, he apparently didn’t stray far, and now lives in a home just three houses down.
While with the Giants, he also owned a Montclair, NJ, residence, which he bought for $1 million in 2017. But his purchase came just a few months before the Giants traded him to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he quickly put the home on the market, selling it for $1,045,000 in 2018.
Ndamukong Suh sacked for a loss in Miami
While with the Detroit Lions, Ndamukong Suh owned an amenity-filled abode in the suburb of Birmingham, MI, just outside Detroit.
But when he left the Motor City for a rich free-agent contract with the Miami Dolphins in 2015, the star sacker put his five-bedroom Colonial on the market. The residence included luxe details like a massage room and in-house sport court. The home hit the market in May 2015 for $3.45 million and was sold in July for an undisclosed amount.
After taking his talents to South Beach, Suh picked up a baller-worthy 11,142-square-foot Fort Lauderdale mansion for $7 million in August 2015.
After Suh was cut loose by the Dolphins, the home bounced back on the market for $7.2 million in February 2018. Suh was sacked for a loss on the final purchase price of $5.85 million in May 2018.
Information provided by: Realtor.com / By Claudine Zap and Randy White | Feb 3, 2021
