Mel Owens is already someone with an impressive net worth, but he won’t be going home from the Golden Bachelor without a little extra cash
Fans will soon watch as Mel Owens meets his women, including a semi-familiar face, on Season two of The Golden Bachelor–but if he doesn’t find love, the already wealthy lead will likely be walking away with a nice paycheck at the end of it.
Owens, 66, a former linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams, was announced as the show’s new lead earlier this year and has had a controversial start ahead of his season.
His future on the show was even called into question after he made comments about the ages of the women who would appear on the show, which sparked immense backlash.
However, despite some hesitance to watch his journey unfold, fans will still be seeing the former NFL star embark on the show’s adventure, which will see 23 women compete to win his heart.
Luckily for Owens, his appearance on the show will also include a handsome sum of cash–though he has an impressive net worth of his own thanks to his career.
What Bachelor Nation leads make has never been explicitly confirmed, though it has been reported that it is rare for them to take home less than six figures these days. Some leads from older seasons reportedly take home lower amounts like $75,000-$90,000, and others potentially rake in paydays as high as $250,000.
On average, numbers from 2021 were said to have been around the $100,000 range, after Jason Tartick, who competed on Becca Kufrin’s season of The Bachelorette and later dated Kaitlyn Bristowe, shared he was offered that amount to potential become the next Bachelor.
He also said those same amounts were offered to Blake Horstmann, Kufrin’s runner-up, and eventual lead Colton Underwood.
Dean Unglert, who competed on Rachel Lindsay’s season of The Bachelorette, said he was offered $75,000 the year prior to becoming the lead, before the job went to Arie Luyendyk Jr.
However, whatever the amount offered to Owens, he already has a substantial net worth.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, he is estimated to be worth $2 million, largely from his NFL earnings, which were reported at one point to be as high $300,000 a season, with nine total seasons coming to a $1.5-$2.5 million total salary.
Since leaving the NFL, he has transitioned to a legal career, specializing in workers’ compensation law and largely representing professional athletes.
The Golden Bachelor Season 2 premieres Wednesday, Sept. 24, on ABC.
