EJ Tackett has built a $5 million net worth by 2024, placing him among the wealthiest active professional bowlers. His exceptional lane performance and consistent victories against top competitors have powered his rise to financial success.
Unlike many athletes who struggle with money management, Tackett’s earnings keep climbing. He topped the PBA Tour earnings list in 2023 with $450,000. His collection of 27+ PBA titles and 7 major championships adds substantial value to his projected net worth for 2025. The path to his fortune started on June 28, 2015, with his first PBA Tour title – a moment that launched his meteoric rise in the sport.
The sort of thing I love about Tackett’s bowling success story spans from his early days to his current position as one of bowling’s top earners. Let’s get into his revenue streams, see how his earnings stack up against other elite bowlers, and understand his approach to wealth management beyond the bowling alley.
EJ Tackett’s Early Career and Rise in the PBA
EJ Tackett’s love for bowling started when he was just four years old in Huntington, Indiana, where his father first took him to the lanes. What began as a simple hobby soon revealed his natural talent as he practiced at local bowling alleys. His teenage years proved him to be a bowling prodigy throughout Indiana.
Starting young: From Indiana lanes to national spotlight
The bowling world took notice when Tackett became the youngest player to make a PBA Tour telecast at the 2011 Etonic Marathon Open. He was only 18. Before this milestone, he dominated youth tournaments throughout the Midwest. His unique two-handed style and pin-point accuracy made him stand out among other bowlers. Tackett managed to excel in bowling while completing his studies at Huntington North High School.
Turning pro in 2012: The rookie years
Tackett joined the Professional Bowlers Association Tour at 19 in 2012. His rookie season showed his promise, though he faced the tough challenges that come with professional competition. All the same, he showed unwavering focus to improve his game. The next two years saw Tackett climb steadily in PBA rankings, which laid the groundwork for his future earnings.
First major win and breakthrough moment
Tackett’s career changed forever on June 28, 2015, when he won his first PBA Tour title at the PBA Xtra Frame Lubbock Sports Open. This win proved he made the right choice to bowl professionally and kicked off his financial success in the sport. The victory brought him more attention and led to his first big sponsorship deals.
His success grew through 2016, and he earned the PBA Player of the Year title – a remarkable feat for someone in his early twenties. This award showed what bowling experts knew all along: EJ Tackett wasn’t just another talented player but a fierce competitor ready for lasting success and substantial earnings in the years ahead.
How EJ Tackett Earns: A Breakdown of His Income Sources
EJ Tackett stands out from other professional athletes who depend on just one income stream. He’s built a reliable financial portfolio that keeps adding to his net worth.
Tournament prize money and seasonal earnings
Tournament winnings are the life-blood of Tackett’s income. He topped the PBA Tour in 2023 with $458,450 in earnings. This stands as the second-highest total in PBA history, right behind Kyle Troup’s $496,900 in 2021. His success rolled into 2024 with $265,792 in earnings. By mid-2025, he had already racked up $685,332, which shows his steady financial growth.
The best bowlers on tour can pull in $250,000 to $300,000 yearly from tournaments alone. Tackett shared that he made about $1.2 million in his first decade on tour. Yet this sum isn’t a match for earnings in other sports like golf.
Sponsorships and brand endorsements
Sponsorships boost Tackett’s income by a lot. He locked in his future by signing a 10-year contract extension with MOTIV in 2020. He also partners with Turbo Grips and has a unique deal with Creating the Difference (CTD) that pays him in Bitcoin.
Tackett has one non-bowling sponsor that stands out – fellow Indiana native Tony Stewart. The most marketable bowlers can land endorsement deals worth $5,000 to $50,000 each year.
Exhibition matches and public appearances
Tackett earns extra money from exhibition matches and appearances. Pro bowlers can make $1,000 to $5,000 per event. Special exhibitions and pro-am events add more to his bank account.
Merchandise and signature gear
Tackett’s brand includes merchandise like his limited edition MOTIV VIP signature bowling ball. His name shows up on jerseys, t-shirts, and various bowling gear, creating another income stream. For every signature ball sold, $1 goes to the Epilepsy Foundation to support his brother Zac. This shows how Tackett mixes business success with giving back.
EJ Tackett Net Worth 2025: What the Numbers Say
EJ Tackett’s story goes beyond the perfect games and championship trophies. His rise as one of professional bowling’s highest earners has caught the attention of financial analysts and experts throughout his career.
Estimated net worth and how it’s calculated
Experts project EJ Tackett’s net worth in 2025 between $2-3 million. This figure comes from his tournament winnings, sponsorship deals, media appearances, and other bowling-related income. Tackett hit major financial milestones when he crossed $1 million in career PBA earnings during the 2021 season and reached $2 million in early 2025. His stellar performance on the lanes has led to substantial financial rewards. His long-term sponsorship deals are the foundations of his stable income beyond tournaments, especially his ten-year extension with Motiv signed in 2020.
Year-by-year earnings growth
Tackett’s financial growth shows an impressive upward trend. By mid-2023, his PBA earnings reached over $1.68 million, with several exceptional seasons. He earned $458,450 in 2023, the second-highest single-season total in PBA history after Kyle Troup’s $496,900 in 2021. His earnings continued with $265,792 in 2024 and $419,540 in 2025 (partial season). Tackett became the first PBA player to earn over $400,000 in a season twice. His career earnings grew from $3,400 in 2010 to six-figure seasons, with 2023 standing as his most profitable year.
Comparison with other top bowlers
Tackett ranks among bowling’s financial elite. He led the earnings chart in 2024, ahead of Anthony Simonsen who earned $235,850. His dominance continued in 2025 when he racked up 34,690 tour points—more than Andrew Anderson (18,120) and Jason Belmonte (15,365) combined. Marshall Kent ($210,158), Kyle Troup ($199,615), and Bill O’Neill ($120,000) rounded out 2024’s top earners. Tackett puts these earnings in perspective, noting that his entire 10-year earnings of $1.2 million match a single tournament win in professional golf.
Beyond the Lanes: Investments, Lifestyle, and Future Plans
EJ Tackett has built a life that showcases financial wisdom, family values, and community commitment beyond his success on the professional circuit.
Real estate and business ventures
Tackett’s business sense reaches far beyond the bowling lanes. His most important investment, EZ Bowl, a bowling alley in Bluffton, Indiana, stands as a testament to family enterprise. He co-owns this venture with his brother Zach. The family business provides steady income outside tournament winnings. His parents bought the bowling center first, and now EJ and his wife Natalie run it as owners. While his other investments remain private, financial experts suggest that Tackett follows the path of successful athletes to broaden income through real estate, stocks, and business opportunities. These smart financial choices help build long-term wealth and add to his projected ej tackett net worth 2025.
Family life and personal values
Family sits at the core of Tackett’s life away from bowling. His marriage to Natalie Goodman in 2019 united two bowling talents. Natalie herself shines as an accomplished bowler, having won a state championship in high school (2011) and competed for Junior Team USA. The birth of their son Tripp brought pure joy to Tackett’s life. He describes it as “so cool” and “can’t wait till he’s old enough to understand”.
Bowling remains a family affair for Tackett. He competes at the USBC Open Championships with his family members each year. His generous spirit matches his competitive nature. The limited edition MOTIV VIP signature bowling ball he created raised $10,000 for the Epilepsy Foundation. This effort supported his brother Zac, who lives with the condition. These actions show how family ties and giving back shape his financial choices.
What’s next for EJ Tackett?
Tackett’s earnings show strong growth potential. After a recent championship win, he shared, “I’m still young. I’ve got a lot of career left”. His career plans span roughly 20 years of competitive bowling. This timeline suggests he’ll stay at the sport’s peak for at least another decade. His 2025 performance already makes him a top contender for his fourth Chris Schenkel PBA Player of the Year award.
Tackett’s bowling legacy grows stronger with 27 national titles, including seven major championships. His steady performance hints at continued growth in his net worth as he balances competitive success, business ventures, and family life.
Conclusion
The Continuing Legacy of a Bowling Champion
EJ Tackett represents a remarkable example of financial success in professional bowling. His rise from an Indiana prodigy to a multi-millionaire athlete shows how exceptional talent, strategic career management, and diverse income sources can build substantial wealth even in a sport with limited prize pools. His impressive collection of 27+ PBA titles, including seven major championships, are the foundations of his financial success.
Money experts project Tackett’s wealth will keep growing through 2025 and beyond. He has smartly expanded his revenue streams through long-term sponsorships, merchandise sales, and business ownership instead of relying only on competition earnings. His co-ownership of EZ Bowl gives him stability whatever his tournament performance.
His life beyond the lanes centers around family. His strong bond with wife Natalie and their son Tripp creates a personal foundation that enhances his professional achievements. His work with the Epilepsy Foundation shows there’s more to him than competitive drive.
Professional bowling might offer smaller rewards than golf or basketball, but Tackett has built an impressive financial position. His career earnings keep breaking records, with 2023 marking the second-highest single-season total in PBA history. Many consider these his prime competitive years, and his net worth looks set to grow further.
Tackett’s financial story reflects professional bowling’s broader progress. Earlier generations of bowlers struggled to make comfortable livings, but stars like Tackett now earn substantial money through bigger tournament purses, sponsorship opportunities, and digital platforms. Of course, Tackett’s ongoing success inspires young bowlers who dream of professional careers, showing that dedication to the sport can lead to both competitive and financial rewards.
