Veteran American football player, Mark Gastineau has accumulated a substantial net worth through his extensive NFL career, though he has faced financial issues over the years.
Previously, the former athlete held the position of defensive end for the New York Jets of the NFL.
During his NFL career, he was named Defensive Player of the Year in 1982, highlighting his exceptional athlete talent.
Marcus Dell Gastineau, widely known as ‘Mark Gastineau‘ is regarded as one of the most skilled player of his time.
Throughout his ten-year tenure, the league selected him for the Pro Bowl from 1981 to 1985, and he officially recorded 74 sacks.
Most recently, in his documentary ‘The New York Sack Exchange‘, Mark expressed his long-harbored resentment toward Brett Favre.
Tracing back to 2002, Michael Strahan broke Mark’s 17-year record when he sacked Favre to accrue 22.5 sacks in a single season.
Mark Gastineau Signed a $4 Million Deal With the New Jets, Further Contributing to His Net Worth
In February 1984, Mark Gastineau signed a lucrative five-year contract worth $4 million with the New York Jets.
Moreover, the deal included an average annual salary of $800,000, which undoubtedly elevated his financial position.
Before this deal, the athlete earned an average salary of $250,000 per year from the Jets.
As a result, this significant increase in his annual salary notably impacted his overall financial wealth.
Likewise, Mark had an extraordinary college football career that garnered him various accolades and recognition.
Apart from football, the former player began his boxing career in 1991, lasting five years.
During his boxing debut, Mark Gastineau reportedly earned $5,000 for his first-round knockout against Derrick Dukes.
Although the exact figure Mark attained from his boxing career is not publicly disclosed, it is evident that his income from boxing considerably contributed to his fortune.
Mark Gastineau Allegedly Lost Much of His Wealth as a Result of Fierce Divorce Battle With His Ex-wife Lisa Gastineau
Lisa and Mark Gastineau tied the knot in 1979, but tragically, the couple ended their decade-long relationship in 1991.
According to reports, he lost all of his wealth as a result of a ferocious divorce battle with his first wife.
As a part of the the divorce settlement, Lisa Gastineau received the couple’s Huntington home, valued at $430,000 at the time.
On top of that, the court ordered him to pay $18,500 annually in maintenance for Lisa and their daughter.
Over time, Mark has faced several legal issues that have greatly impacted his financial status.
Furthermore, Mark Gastineau has committed crimes such as physical violence, assault, and drug possession.
New York Jets Legend Mark Gastineau Reveals He is Suffering From Dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease https://t.co/ksaHG3quaS pic.twitter.com/HGAdvFUEz2
— Dave Duerson Athletic Safety Fund, Inc. (@DaveDuersonFund) March 7, 2017
Similarly, he has encountered severe financial problems due to overwhelming medical bills from his extensive treatments.
In May 2019, Mark and his current wife, Jo Ann, launched a GoFundMe to help manage their mounting medical bills.
Thanks to the support of many, the couple ultimately raised $47,000, which substantially helped them ease their financial burden.
Mark and his wife currently rely on his NFL pension and autograph appearance fees to support themselves.
Additional Information
- In September 2000, Gastineau was charged with violence against his second wife, Patricia, and was sentenced to 18 months in jail.
- In 2016, Gastineau was diagnosed with dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Similarly, in March 2019, he revealed he is battling with colon cancer.
- Mark Gastineau is the father of two children, Brittny Gastineau and Killian Marcus Nielsen.
