Steve Young, a former NFL quarterback who played for 15 seasons, has successfully transitioned from the gridiron to the boardroom. When Young retired from football, his Brigham Young University degree in finance and political science proved invaluable in his post-NFL career. Today, he serves as co-founder, chairman, and managing partner of HGGC (Huntsman Gay Global Capital), a California-based private equity firm driven by values and partnership. As of January 17, 2026, Steve Young’s estimated net worth stands at $200 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
How an NFL Legend Built a $10 Billion Fund
In an episode of 'The Deal,' hosts Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly asked the NFL Hall of Famer why he chose private equity. Young explained the journey from its inception. He attended law school while playing in the NFL, even participating in three Super Bowls during his winter breaks. He studied law with an eye on life after football, expecting to become a lawyer. However, an invitation to join PowerBar’s board changed his path. There, Young worked alongside prominent Silicon Valley businessmen like Warren Hellman, founder of Hellman & Friedman, and Larry Soncini, whose law firm Wilson & Soncini played a key role in tech successes. This experience convinced Young that he was better suited for business than law.
In the mid-1990s, a friend of Young’s developed an early algorithm to help people find local businesses. Young pitched the technology to his business contacts, and together they built an early internet company called Found Inc. During this venture, he met his long-time business partner, Rich Lawson. Their success caught the attention of Bain Capital, and investor Bob Gay funded Young and Lawson to start their own investment firm. Today, that firm is known as HGGC, managing over $10 billion in assets as of December 31, 2025. Bob Gay, a fellow member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, later became a General Authority of the LDS Church in 2012.
Carrying NFL Lessons into Business
When asked about advice for being a good owner of a firm, the three-time Super Bowl winner emphasized that even the boss should feel that success could vanish without full effort. “You inevitably get a little lazy just because you’re safe, you’re in charge. I want to walk around without the hubris that I own the place,” Young said. Humbling oneself can encourage others to perform at their best. Young carried a lesson from his NFL head coach, Bill Walsh, into his private equity firm: “Empower people to run ahead, not by the side and not from behind, but just go, let’s get fast. And that’s how you empower people. My coach empowered me. That’s what it felt like, and then I was unstoppable.”
About the Author: Dr. Arati Kulkarni Srivastava spent six years studying medicine and three years in management, but her passion for writing prevailed. As a former vice-captain of her college’s cricket team, she understands an NFL quarterback’s competitive spirit. She creates compelling football stories that resonate with readers. Each morning, she reads the TOI sports section to track scores, and in the evenings, she enjoys solving mysteries from Law & Order: SVU. The Mumbai sea and Kishore Kumar’s melodies bring her tranquility.
