It’s no surprise that being an athlete is one of the highest-paying jobs out there. Athletes can earn a lot of money through their contracts, endorsements, and public appearances.
Forbes magazine recently released its list of the 10 highest-paid athletes in the world. The list takes into account how much money each star makes from their teams and also from sources outside of their sport. This year’s rankings have been influenced by Saudi Arabia, which has attracted top golf and soccer players with lucrative offers.
The introduction of the LIV Golf tour in Saudi Arabia has tempted golfers away from the PGA Tour by offering them massive paydays. Similarly, the Saudi soccer team Al Nassr made headlines by signing Cristiano Ronaldo to a huge contract.
So, here are the current top 10 highest-paid athletes according to Forbes.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo: $136 million
2. Lionel Messi: $130 million
3. Kylian Mbappé: $120 million
4. LeBron James: $119.5 million
5. Canelo Álvarez: $110 million
6. Dustin Johnson: $106 million
7. Phil Mickelson: $106 million
8. Stephen Curry: $100.4 million
9. Roger Federer: $95.1 million
10. Kevin Durant: $89.1 million
1. Cristiano Ronaldo: $136 million
Portuguese soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo is at the top of the list as the highest-paid athlete in the world. He earns an incredible $136 million every year. Recently, Ronaldo made a move from Manchester United to Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr, where his salary was doubled to a staggering $75 million.
Apart from his earnings on the field, Ronaldo also makes a significant amount of money from his massive fan following, which amounts to around 850 million followers across various platforms. Additionally, he has secured a sponsorship deal with Binance, a cryptocurrency exchange, further contributing to his income.
With his impressive earnings of $136 million, Ronaldo holds the title of the highest-paid soccer player of all time.
2. Lionel Messi: $130 million
Even without a confirmed future team (there are rumors that he might join Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia), the Paris-Germain player is doing exceptionally well, making $65 million in total through his on-field performances and off-field ventures. He has lucrative partnerships with major companies like PepsiCo, Adidas, and Budweiser. In addition, his collaboration with Socios, a blockchain-based fan platform, brings in around $20 million.
The Argentinian soccer star is not only focused on his soccer career but also on investments. He recently started an investment firm called Play Time, which has further diversified his income streams. Despite the uncertainties surrounding his team, he continues to thrive both financially and in his endorsements and business ventures.
3. Kylian Mbappé: $120 million
Being a soccer superstar definitely comes with lucrative rewards, as demonstrated by our third highest paid athlete, Kylian Mbappé, who happens to be Lionel Messi’s teammate at Paris-Germain. At just 24 years old, Mbappé earns a remarkable $100 million from his on-field performances, making him the highest paid soccer player solely from the game itself.
In addition to his salary, Mbappé has a noteworthy partnership with Sorare, where he serves as an ambassador for the cryptocurrency fantasy game. This collaboration contributes significantly to his off-field earnings, amounting to an impressive $20 million. Together, Mbappé’s on-field success and his off-field business endeavors make him a prominent figure in the world of soccer and a top earner among athletes.
4. LeBron James: $119.5 million
In June of this year, the basketball legend achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first active athlete to reach billionaire status. LeBron James, known for his exceptional skills on the court, has also proven to be a shrewd businessman. While he earns just under $45 million from playing for the Lakers, a significant portion of his wealth is generated through his ventures outside of basketball.
In 2018, James collaborated with his personal trainer, Mike Mancias, to establish Ladder, a sports nutrition company specializing in pre-workout supplements and protein powders. Alongside Ladder, James is the driving force behind SpringHill, his production company. Moreover, he has made strategic investments in various enterprises, including Fenway Sports Group, Major League Pickleball, Lobos 1707 tequila, Canyon Bicycles, Neutral Foods, and Mitchell & Ness apparel. Through these diverse ventures, James adds another $75 million annually to his off-court earnings.
James’s astute business acumen and diverse portfolio of investments have propelled him to billionaire status, further solidifying his status as a basketball legend and a prominent figure in the world of business.
5. Canelo Álvarez: $110 million
While many athletes on the list rely on various income sources, Canelo Álvarez stands out by earning the majority of his salary from his remarkable performances in the boxing ring. Each year, he earns a staggering $100 million from boxing alone. However, Canelo’s financial success doesn’t stop there.
Outside of boxing, Canelo has secured lucrative partnerships with renowned brands such as Hennessy and Michelob Ultra. Moreover, he has taken on the role of an entrepreneur, establishing his own brands and ventures. Canelo is the proud owner of a chain of gas stations known as Canelo Energy, demonstrating his business acumen beyond the world of sports. Additionally, he has launched the fitness app “I Can” to inspire and assist others in their fitness journeys.
6. Dustin Johnson: $106 million
In June, a new golf tour called LIV golf, supported by Saudi Arabia, began, and it attracted a group of talented players, including Dustin Johnson, away from the PGA. This decision may have been seen as a gamble, but it turned out to be a rewarding one for Johnson. He managed to earn an impressive $35.6 million through his participation in LIV golf.
Joining LIV also granted Johnson the opportunity to become a co-owner and captain of the 4Aces GC team. This gave him additional responsibilities and the chance to showcase his leadership skills within the sport. In the year 2023 alone, Johnson has already earned $3.3 million from participating in five LIV events, demonstrating his consistent success within the tour.
Dustin Johnson’s move to LIV golf proved to be a wise decision, not only financially but also in terms of his involvement and influence within the sport. By taking a leap of faith and embracing new opportunities, Johnson has been able to showcase his skills, earn a substantial income, and contribute to the growth and development of the LIV golf tour.
7. Phil Mickelson: $106 million
After Dustin Johnson made the move to LIV golf, another prominent golfer, Phil Mickelson, decided to join him, even if it meant parting ways with his previous sponsors. Mickelson has been a successful player on the green, earning millions, including a notable $1.6 million from winning the Masters tournament.
When he’s not competing, Mickelson keeps busy with his entrepreneurial ventures. He co-founded a coffee supplement brand called For Wellness, focusing on providing health benefits. Additionally, Mickelson is part of a group of investors who recently purchased land near Phoenix, indicating his involvement in real estate ventures.
Before making the switch to LIV, Mickelson had already amassed over $1 billion in earnings throughout his illustrious career. This highlights his tremendous success in the world of golf and his ability to generate significant wealth through his skills and accomplishments on the golf course.
8. Stephen Curry: $100.4 million
Stephen Curry, the star player for the Golden State Warriors, holds the title of being the highest paid player of the season, earning an impressive salary of $48.1 million. In addition to his basketball earnings, Curry has established long-term partnerships with major brands. He has a career-long contract with Under Armour, a popular sportswear company, and has recently formed a partnership with Chase Bank.
Beyond his accomplishments on the basketball court, Curry is a savvy entrepreneur. He founded his own multimedia company called Unanimous Media, which focuses on various forms of media content. In fact, there is an upcoming documentary about Curry set to be released in July on Apple TV+, giving fans a deeper look into his life and journey.
9. Roger Federer: $95.1 million
Even though he has retired from professional tennis, 41-year-old Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer continues to make smart investment choices. According to Forbes, he has partnered with more than a dozen companies and maintains active involvement in these ventures. Recently, Federer signed a licensing agreement with Oliver Peoples’ Eyewear, which adds to his diverse portfolio. Additionally, he holds a stake in the shoe company On, contributing to his total earnings surpassing the impressive $95 million mark. Federer’s astute investments have allowed him to continue thriving financially even after retiring from the sport he excelled in.
10. Kevin Durant: $89.1 million
Kevin Durant, who recently joined the Phoenix Suns through a trade with the Brooklyn Nets, signed a new contract that increased his annual salary to a staggering $44.1 million. In addition to his on-court earnings, Durant is actively involved in various investments. He holds stakes in multiple companies, including League One Volleyball, Happy Viking, Premiere Lacrosse League, TMRW Sports, and Athletes Unlimited, among others. Furthermore, Durant’s association with Nike has been elevated to a lifetime contract, adding to his already impressive financial standing. When combining all these ventures, Durant’s total earnings reach an impressive $45 million on top of his salary with the Suns.
