The 2024 list of the world’s Highest Paid Athletes led by Cristiano Ronaldo, highlights the dominance of soccer, basketball, and American football, with emerging representation from golf, boxing, and auto racing. These athletes capitalize not only on record-breaking contracts and winnings but also on substantial endorsement deals and business ventures, showcasing their influence both on and off the field. The rise of Saudi sports leagues and LIV Golf further reshaped the earnings landscape, pushing stars like Jon Rahm, Neymar, and Karim Benzema to unprecedented paydays.
The list underscores the global appeal and financial power of elite sports.
- Cristiano Ronaldo: , Soccer ⚽, $260M Tops the list, bolstered by his Al-Nassr contract and lucrative endorsements, making him a global brand ambassador for numerous companies.
- Jon Rahm , Golf ⛳, $218M: His substantial earnings come from LIV Golf’s lucrative contracts and tournament wins.
- Lionel Messi , Soccer ⚽, $135M: Earnings from Inter Miami CF, endorsements with brands like Adidas, and equity in team partnerships.
- LeBron James , Basketball 🏀, $128.2M: NBA salary, endorsement deals, and investments like SpringHill Company add to his wealth.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo , Basketball 🏀, $111M: Continues to earn big with his NBA salary and Nike endorsement deals.
- Kylian Mbappé , Soccer ⚽, $110M: His Paris Saint-Germain salary and sponsorships make him one of soccer’s youngest and highest-paid stars.
- Neymar , Soccer ⚽, $108M: His Al-Hilal contract and partnerships with brands like Puma contribute significantly.
- Karim Benzema , Soccer ⚽, $106M: Moved to Saudi Pro League, significantly increasing his salary, coupled with endorsements.
- Stephen Curry , Basketball 🏀, $102M: High NBA salary and investments in tech and media boost his total earnings.
- Lamar Jackson , Football 🏈, $100.5M: Landmark contract extension with the Baltimore Ravens placed him among the top earners.
- Joe Burrow , Football 🏈, $100M: His new deal with the Cincinnati Bengals set records in the NFL.
- Kevin Durant , Basketball 🏀, $93.3M: NBA salary and endorsement deals, including Nike and Boardroom, fuel his income.
- Shohei Ohtani , Baseball ⚾, $85.3M: A two-way MLB superstar, his endorsements in Japan and the U.S. are unparalleled.
- Canelo Alvarez , Boxing 🥊, $85M: His fights draw massive pay-per-view audiences, boosting his fight purses and sponsorships.
- Patrick Mahomes , Football 🏈, $84.4M: His restructured Chiefs contract and endorsements like State Farm solidify his earnings.
- Anthony Joshua , Boxing 🥊, $83M: Big-money boxing bouts and commercial endorsements keep him among the top-paid athletes.
- Max Verstappen , Auto Racing 🏎️, $81M: Formula 1 winnings and his Red Bull Racing salary make him a racing superstar.
- Aaron Rodgers , Football 🏈, $80.8M: His high-profile move to the Jets and endorsements cement his earnings.
- Rory McIlroy , Golf ⛳, $80.1M: Continues to dominate with high winnings and endorsements in the golf world.
- Justin Herbert , Football 🏈, $78.7M: New contract extension with the Chargers makes him one of the NFL’s highest-paid players.
- Lewis Hamilton , Auto Racing 🏎️, $69M: Seven-time F1 World Champion with significant earnings from Mercedes and sponsors.
- Nick Bosa , Football 🏈, $68M: His NFL record-breaking contract with the 49ers propelled his earnings.
- Tiger Woods , Golf ⛳, $67.2M: Though limited in play, his endorsements and business ventures keep him on the list.
- Kirk Cousins , Football 🏈, $62.5M: A consistent NFL earner with substantial contract payouts.
- Klay Thompson , Basketball 🏀, $62.3M: A key NBA player with Golden State Warriors and multiple endorsement deals.
- Damian Lillard , Basketball 🏀, $61.9M: His NBA earnings and endorsement partnerships make him a top basketball earner.
- Erling Haaland , Soccer ⚽, $61M: A soccer sensation, his Manchester City contract and sponsorships add to his wealth.
- Max Scherzer: , Baseball ⚾, $59.9M One of MLB’s highest-paid pitchers with significant team contracts.
- Scottie Scheffler , Golf ⛳, $59.2M: Rising golf star with substantial tournament winnings and endorsements.
- Joel Embiid , Basketball 🏀, $57.7M: His MVP season with the 76ers and endorsements elevate his standing.
- Jimmy Butler , Basketball 🏀, $57.5M: Key Miami Heat player with growing endorsements.
- Nikola Jokic , Basketball 🏀, $56.1M: Reigning NBA MVP with lucrative contracts and awards.
- James Harden , Basketball 🏀, $55.8M: His NBA deals and endorsements ensure his position on the list.
- Luka Doncic , Basketball 🏀, $55.1M: Dallas Mavericks star with high endorsements and contract earnings.
- Bradley Beal , Basketball 🏀, $54.3M: Continues to earn through his NBA contracts and commercial partnerships.
- Chris Jones , Football 🏈, $54.1M: A defensive powerhouse in the NFL with a high contract value.
- Kawhi Leonard , Basketball 🏀, $53.7M: Notable NBA player for the Clippers, with endorsements adding to his wealth.
- Mohamed Salah , Soccer ⚽, $53M: Liverpool star with extensive endorsements and soccer contracts.
- Paul George , Basketball 🏀, $52.7M: NBA’s consistent top earner with major commercial partnerships.
- Sadio Mané , Soccer ⚽, $52M: Soccer earnings bolstered by his move to Saudi Arabia.
- Brian Burns , Football 🏈, $51.7M: NFL star with new contracts and performance bonuses.
- Tyson Fury , Boxing 🥊, $50M: Boxing champion whose pay-per-view fights bring massive revenues.
- Cameron Smith , Golf ⛳, $48M: Golf’s breakout star with LIV Golf and sponsorship income.
- Trae Young , Basketball 🏀, $47.3M: Atlanta Hawks’ young star with lucrative contracts and endorsements.
- Deshaun Watson , Football 🏈, $47M: NFL’s highest-guaranteed contracts fuel his earnings.
- Rashan Gary , Football 🏈, $46.8M: Packers star with growing NFL income.
- Anthony Davis , Basketball 🏀, $46.2M: Lakers’ cornerstone with substantial earnings from contracts.
- Zion Williamson , Basketball 🏀, $46.1M: NBA’s young talent with high endorsements despite limited playtime.
- Jayson Tatum , Basketball 🏀, $45.9M: A Boston Celtics star with significant income from contracts and endorsements.
- Devin Booker , Basketball 🏀, $45.2M: A Suns star whose NBA earnings and endorsements keep him among the top-paid.
Analysis: Soccer, basketball, and American football dominate the list, with emerging trends in golf and boxing. Athletes increasingly benefit from lucrative endorsements and contracts across the globe.
Source: Forbes