Matt Olson net worth: How much does Atlanta Braves’ star earn, family life and more

Matt Olson didn't step into Major League Baseball as a financial superstar. His initial salary mirrored the struggle of a budding player aiming to find his footing. However, everything shifted dramatically after a pivotal trade. Since becoming part of the Atlanta Braves, Olson's income has skyrocketed, his responsibilities have grown, and his worth is evident in both cash and confidence.

Nowadays, he is recognized as one of the most stable first basemen in the league, supported by a contract that indicates a long-term commitment. Yet, Olson's financial ascent coincides with a more subdued personal narrative that often goes unnoticed.

Matt Olson's net worth and earnings

Matt Olson started his journey to wealth from humble beginnings, but it really took off when he was traded to the Atlanta Braves in March 2022. Before that, he was earning a modest income as a prospect and a young player with the Oakland Athletics. In his rookie year of 2016, Olson made only $58,233 in base salary without any signing bonus. Fast forward to 2021, as he proved himself as a defensive star, his salary jumped to $5,000,000.

The major jump happened after the trade. Olson's salary for 2022 soared to $15,000,000, thanks to his arbitration eligibility at 28 years old with 4.103 years of service. This paved the way for significant growth. His‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ earnings in 2023 increased to $21 million during a stellar offensive season when he led the National League with 54 home runs.

His annual salary settled at $22,000,000 from 2024 to 2029, thus, by early 2026, it was already contributing to a total of $175,720,715. The figures above are without endorsement deals, which for Olson are fairly low-key as he focuses mainly on his game performance.

Previous reports listed his net worth at a much lower level of about $51.2 million in 2023, indicating the positive impact on his finances of the power surge and his time with the Braves. It was a critical season in the context of 2023: Besides getting All-MLB Second Team recognition for the 54 home runs he hit, Olson's performance also justified the Braves' decision to pick him up, thus becoming a crucial player in their lineup for the World Series ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌run.

Now, with a salary of $22,000,000 for the 2025 season (and the same expected for 2026), Olson is listed among the top-10 highest-paid first basemen according to Spotrac's contract database. This consistent salary highlights his dependability: across 1,222 games, he has racked up 1,155 hits and 31.3 fWAR, combining top-notch defense with increasing power.

The Atlanta Braves' long-term bet on Matt Olson

In March 2022, only a few days after the Braves made a huge trade to get Olson from Oakland, they secured him with an eight-year extension worth $168 million that lasts until 2029, plus a $20 million option for 2030. Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos shared the news at a press conference, describing the deal as a "commitment to our core" and highlighting Olson's impressive Gold Glove defense and his potential for even more power.


After Freddie Freeman's departure, Atlanta aimed to solidify first base by trading four prospects for Olson, counting on his left-handed hitting to make an impact in the short porch at Truist Park.

The yearly average of $21 million is set to rise strategically: $15 million in 2022, $21 million in 2023, and $22 million each year from 2024 to 2029. In 2025, Olson received the entire $22 million in cash, even after a 'mediocre' 2024 by his standards (.243 average, 29 homers).

As we look ahead to 2026, the Braves' payroll estimates Olson at $22 million within a $151.5 million core commitment, according to offseason projections, placing him alongside stars like Ronald Acuña Jr. and Austin Riley.

Matt Olson builds family stability in Atlanta

Outside of baseball, Matt Olson enjoys a laid-back family life that keeps him grounded in his intense career. He tied the knot with his college sweetheart, Nicole McFadyen, in November 2021, a relationship that blossomed during their time at the University of Georgia—where Nicole pursued marketing while Olson focused on his baseball training.

In December 2024, fatherhood came into play with the birth of his son Owen, who weighed a strong 10 pounds, a detail Olson joyfully mentioned in a June 2025 interview with MLB.com's Mark Bowman.

"I was joking that he’s going to be a big boy," Olson said, adding, "It’s been great. Something that is really cool to experience as a family." Olson shared his thoughts on Father's Day, talking about how he raised Owen to be a Braves fan in Atlanta, where they moved after the trade.

During a spring training game broadcast in March 2025, he went into more detail with announcers Chip Caray and Jeff Francoeur, "A little less sleep. It's been great. Something that is really special," highlighting the newborn's impact amid his contract year.

Olson's folks, Scott and Leen Olson, really shaped his work ethic—Scott, who used to coach kids, got him into baseball while they were living in the Atlanta suburbs before they moved to Georgia.

The couple still lives in Atlanta, and Nicole sometimes participates in charity events, such as the 2024 ReClif Diamond Casino Night fundraiser for children's health, which the Olsons co-host. In an Instagram post celebrating their third anniversary in November 2024, Olson shared a message for Nicole, "Happy 3rd anniversary to my better half," sharing a family photo that captured their bond.

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