Tyler Blevins, better known by his gaming alias Ninja, has become one of the most iconic names in the world of esports and streaming.
With his immense popularity in the gaming world, especially for playing Fortnite, Ninja has amassed a net worth of $50 million as of 2024. Let’s take a closer look at his career, milestones, and financial journey.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Tyler Blevins was born on June 5, 1991, in Detroit, Michigan. He grew up in Grayslake, Illinois, where his parents, Chuck and Cynthia, introduced him to video games at an early age.
While attending Grayslake Central High School, Tyler participated in soccer and worked at Noodles & Company, but it was his interest in gaming that would eventually shape his career.
After attending Silver Lake College in Wisconsin, Tyler began competing in video game tournaments, marking the beginning of his professional gaming career.
His early focus was on Halo 3, which led him to join professional gaming organizations such as Team Liquid, Cloud9, and Renegades.
The Rise to Fame
Tyler’s big break came when he began streaming Fortnite on Twitch, gaining massive popularity. From 2017-2018, Ninja’s follower count skyrocketed, gaining 1.5 million followers in just six months.
His collaboration with celebrities such as Drake, Travis Scott, and Juju Smith-Schuster during a Fortnite livestream in 2018 drew 635,000 viewers, setting a new record for the platform.
In addition to his Twitch success, Ninja’s skills helped him win the Fortnite Battle Royale event at E3 2018 alongside musician Marshmello.
These high-profile moments helped cement Ninja as a mainstream figure, earning him a reputation as one of the most successful streamers of all time.
The Mixer Move and Microsoft Deal
In 2019, Tyler made headlines by leaving Twitch to stream exclusively on Mixer, a Microsoft-owned platform.
This move was part of a lucrative deal worth millions, although the exact amount was not disclosed.
Ninja’s partnership with Mixer was a significant step, as he became one of the first esports superstars to make such a switch.
However, in July 2020, Microsoft shut down Mixer, and Tyler was paid an impressive $30 million to leave the platform.
His return to Twitch followed shortly after, where he resumed streaming, and it is estimated that Ninja earned around $40 million from his time with Microsoft, including his payout and revenue from the exclusive streaming deal.
Major Partnerships and Earnings
Ninja’s wealth also comes from numerous endorsements and business ventures. In 2018, he signed a partnership with Red Bull Esports, adding to his growing brand.
He also released an album, “Ninjawerks: Vol. 1”, featuring tracks from electronic music artists like Alesso and Tycho.
He continued to expand his media presence by appearing in advertisements, including a Super Bowl commercial in 2019 for the NFL’s The 100-Year Game.
Ninja has also made significant money through brand sponsorships. For example, in 2019, Electronic Arts paid Ninja $1 million to promote the game Apex Legends.
These deals, alongside his live streams and YouTube earnings, have contributed greatly to his $50 million net worth.
Personal Life and Charity Work
Tyler met Jessica Goch, a fellow gamer, in 2010, and they married in 2017. She has also managed Ninja’s career, helping him expand his brand. In October 2022, Jessica stepped down as his manager to pursue other opportunities.
Ninja has used his platform for charitable causes as well. In 2018, he raised over $110,000 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention through a charity stream.
He also donated significant sums to various other organizations, including $340,000 at the #Clips4Kids event and $1 million after winning the Fortnite Pro-Am event.
Awards and Honors
Ninja’s success hasn’t gone unnoticed. He won several prestigious awards in 2018, including Live Streamer of the Year at the Streamy Awards and Esports Personality of the Year at the Esports Awards. Time magazine even named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world that year.
Real Estate
In 2018, Ninja and his wife purchased a luxurious 6,700-square-foot mansion in the Chicago suburbs, complete with a game room and theater. The couple’s real estate investments add to their growing financial portfolio.
