The world of big sports is not only an arena for demonstrating outstanding physical abilities, but also a platform where talent and popularity are converted into astronomical sums. Fans and aspiring athletes are always interested to know what potential financial peaks can be reached in different sports. And if you look at the lists of high-earning athletes, it becomes clear that even a very successful gaming session at HitnSpin Casino or at the poker table will only bring you a little closer to their level. In the article below we have prepared for you a list of the highest paid athletes in the world in 2024, which will allow you to learn about the most successful people not only in terms of sporting achievements, but also in terms of financial indicators.
An Overview of the Ranking of High Income Athletes
We have carefully analysed the income of athletes based on Forbes, Sports Illustrated and official reports from sports leagues. Our ranking of the 15 highest earning athletes takes into account not only prize money and salaries, but also income from advertising contracts, giving a complete picture of the financial success of today’s sports stars. In 2024, the combined earnings of the world’s 15 highest-paid athletes reached a record $1.8 billion, up 20 per cent from last year.
This impressive growth demonstrates the resilience of the sports industry even in the face of global economic challenges. It’s not just sports stars who can get a taste of the big money. You can risk a small amount and make a deposit at Jeton Cash casino online with a chance to hit the jackpot. But let’s be honest, this method will not help you to compete with the best athletes in the world.
As for sports disciplines, football continues to dominate the ranking, taking 5 positions out of 15. It is followed by basketball and American football, represented by four and two athletes respectively. The share of revenue from sponsorship contracts has increased slightly over the past year. This change suggests that athletes are increasingly monetising their popularity beyond the playing field. Well, one more interesting observation: in 2024, the threshold to enter the top 15 has increased to 81 million, which is 11 million more than last year. This suggests growing competition among elite athletes for a place in the financial elite of world sport.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Football)
Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese football superstar, holds a solid first place in our ranking with an annual income of $260 million. His sensational move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nasr earned him a contract worth $200 million a year. Ronaldo earned the remaining $60 million through sponsorship deals with Nike, Herbalife and his own CR7 line.
Despite his controversial performances at the 2024 European Championships, Ronaldo remains one of the most recognisable athletes on the planet. His Instagram account has over 640 million followers, making him the most popular person on this social network. This fact not only emphasises his status as a global icon, but also explains Ronaldo’s enduring appeal to advertisers.
2. Jon Rahm (Golf)
Spaniard Jon Rahm continues his ascent to the top of world golf. His powerful game and charismatic personality are attracting the attention of sponsors and fans. Rahm actively uses social media to promote his personal brand, which contributes to his popularity and income outside the golf course. He can be called the sensation of the rankings because he made an incredible jump in income, which allowed him to move from 28th place last year straight to second place!
The reason for this dizzying success is a luxury contract with the new LIV Golf tour, which will pay him $198 million a year. Adding to that $20 million from sponsorship contracts, we get annual earnings of $218 million USD – just incredible numbers! One of Rahm’s major achievements: he became the first Spaniard to win the Masters Tournament, repeating the success of his idol Severiano Ballesteros. After his victory, he emotionally dedicated his triumph to his legendary compatriot.
3. Lionel Messi (Football)
Lionel Messi, the Argentine football genius, is the third in the ranking with an annual income of $135 million. His move from Paris Saint-Germain to Inter Miami was not only a sporting sensation, but also a financial triumph. Messi’s salary at Inter is $65 million a year, with the remaining $70 million coming from sponsorship contracts with brands such as Adidas, Pepsi and Mastercard.
Victories at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the 2024 America’s Cup not only cemented Messi’s status as one of the greatest footballers of all time, but also significantly increased his commercial appeal. Interestingly, following his World Cup triumph, Messi’s Instagram post garnered a record 75 million likes, once again emphasising his global popularity and impact on his audience.
4. LeBron James (Basketball)
LeBron James, an NBA legend, ranks fourth with an annual income of $128.2 million. His contract with the Los Angeles Lakers earns him $48.2 million per year, but James gets the lion’s share of his income from off-player activities – $80 million from sponsorship contracts and business ventures. James is not only dominating on the basketball court, but he is also actively developing his media empire. His company SpringHill Entertainment successfully produces films and TV shows, including the acclaimed ‘Space Jam: The Next Generation.’ LeBron is also the first active NBA player to have a fortune of over a billion dollars, highlighting the unique position of ‘King James’ at the intersection of sports and business.
5. Yannis Adetokunbo (Basketball)
Yannis Adetokunbo, star of the Milwaukee Bucks, is in fifth place with an annual income of $111 million. His contract with the club earns him $46 million, with the remaining $65 million coming from sponsorship deals. Adetokunbo, known as the ‘Greek Freak’ for his incredible physicality and athleticism, has become one of the NBA’s most marketing successful players. His partnership with Nike has led to the creation of his own line of trainers, which are hugely popular. Interestingly, Yannis has also invested in the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team, showing his commitment to the city that has become a second home to him. His dirt-to-dirt story – from selling merchandise on the streets of Athens to NBA superstar status – makes Yannis particularly attractive to brands targeting a youth audience.
6. Kylian Mbappe (Football)
Despite his youth, Mbappe is already considered one of the best footballers in the world. His phenomenal speed and technique make him a formidable weapon on the pitch. Outside of football, Kylian is actively involved in charity work, helping children from disadvantaged neighbourhoods, which further strengthens his image and appeal to brands. The total annual income after Mbappe’s move to Real Madrid is $110 million. Out of this amount, the club salary accounts for 90 million. Another 20 million is brought to Kylian by various sponsorship agreements. And it is likely that income will only increase. Mbappe became the youngest captain of the French national team at the age of 23, which emphasises his leadership qualities and influence on the team, and the move to the most successful football club in the world will contribute to success at various tournaments.
7. Neymar (Football)
Neymar, the Brazilian football virtuoso, is in seventh place with an annual income of $108 million. His contract with Al-Hilal provides him with $80 million a year, with the remaining $28 million coming from sponsorship deals with Puma, Red Bull and other brands. Despite the injuries that have plagued Neymar in recent seasons, he remains one of the most publicity-driven athletes in the world. Neymar’s charisma and technique of play attract millions of fans, making him a valuable asset for advertisers. Interestingly, Neymar is also heavily invested in cryptocurrencies and NFT, becoming one of the first footballers to launch his own digital token collection.
8. Karim Benzema (Football)
Karim Benzema continues to display the highest level of play despite his age. His leadership qualities and ability to decide the outcome of matches at key moments has allowed him to become a team leader since joining Al-Ittihad. The new club is not stingy on salaries – Karim receives 100 million dollars a year! Another 6 million brings sponsorship deals, which forms a total annual income of 106 million USD. Off the field, Benzema is actively involved in charity work, supporting various social projects in France and Algeria, where his family is from. Karim’s popularity and influence on social media continues to grow, which is reflected in increased revenue from sponsorship contracts.
9. Stephen Curry (Basketball)
Stephen Curry, the Golden State Warriors’ virtuoso point guard, is ranked ninth with an annual income of $102 million. His contract with the club earns him $52 million, with the remaining $50 million coming from sponsorship deals and business ventures. Curry is not only changing the game on the court with his incredible three-point shots, but he is also actively growing his brand off the court. His company SC30 Inc. manages all partnerships and investments, including deals with Under Armour, Callaway Golf and Chase. Interestingly, Curry has also launched his own line of golf gear, combining his two passions – basketball and golf. And his popularity among young people makes Curry especially attractive to brands looking to reach a younger audience.
10. Lamar Jackson (American Football)
Lamar Jackson continues to rewrite NFL records with his dynamic play. His ability to both pass and carry the ball makes him one of the most dangerous players in the league. Lamar’s total annual earnings are $100.5 million. His contract with the Baltimore Ravens brings in $98.5 million, with another $2 million coming from sponsorship deals. Off the field, Jackson is active in charity work through his Forever Dreamers foundation, helping underprivileged children. Lamar’s charisma and unique style of play is attracting more and more attention from sponsors, which promises an increase in his advertising contract revenue in the future.
11. Joe Barrow (American Football)
Joe Burrow has quickly become one of the league’s brightest young quarterbacks. His accurate passing and leadership skills helped the Bengals return to the NFL’s elite. The reward for Joe was a lavish $96 million a year contract. Another $4 million comes from ongoing sponsorship deals. Accordingly, Barrow’s total annual income – exactly 100 million dollars. Off the field, Barrow is actively involved in charity work, supporting initiatives to fight hunger in his native Ohio. Joe is known for his unique style off the field, often appearing at press conferences in designer sunglasses and suits, earning him the nickname ‘Joe Cool’ and making him a style icon in the NFL.
12. Kevin Durant (Basketball)
Kevin Durant, the star forward of the Phoenix Suns, is in twelfth place with an annual income of $93.3 million. His NBA salary is $47.8 million and he earns the remaining $45.5 million from sponsorship contracts and investments. Durant is not only known for his outstanding abilities on the basketball court, but also for his entrepreneurial acumen. The investment company Thirty Five Ventures, founded by Kevin, is actively investing in technology startups and media projects. Particularly notable is the partnership with Coinbase, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges, making Durant one of the pioneers among athletes in crypto-investing. Additionally, his production company has produced several successful documentaries, expanding Durant’s influence beyond the sports arena.
13. Shohei Ohtani (Baseball)
Shohei Ohtani continues to impress the baseball world with his versatility. His ability to dominate on both the pitcher’s mound and at bat makes Ohtani one of the league’s most valuable players. Ohtani’s contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers brings in $25.3 million a year. But even more money brings Shohei his popularity, which extends far beyond the United States. This media exposure is reflected in the impressive sponsorship contracts that bring him an incredible $60 million a year. He is actively involved in popularising baseball in Japan and around the world, inspiring the younger generation of players. Well, an athlete with an annual income of $85.3 million can truly inspire anyone with his example!
14. Canelo Alvarez (Boxing)
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, the Mexican superstar boxer, is in 14th place with an annual income of $85 million. Most of his earnings ($75 million) come from prize money from fights, while the remaining $10 million comes from sponsorship contracts. Alvarez is known not only for his outstanding achievements in the ring, but also for his business approach to his career. He is one of the few boxers who negotiates his own fights, allowing him to maximise his income. And his partnership with DAZN, a streaming platform for sports broadcasts, has become one of the largest contracts in boxing history. In addition, Canelo is actively investing in property in Mexico and the US, building a solid financial foundation for the future.
15. Max Verstappen (Motor Racing)
Max Verstappen, Formula 1 star and driver of the Red Bull Racing team, closes our ranking with an annual income of $81 million. His contract with the team provides him with $76 million, with the remaining $5 million coming from sponsorship deals. Verstappen, who became the youngest race winner in Formula One history, has quickly become one of the sport’s most recognisable figures. His aggressive driving style and uncompromising character have made Max a fan favourite and a valuable asset to sponsors. Interestingly, Max actively participates in cybersport racing simulation competitions, which helps him attract a younger audience. He has also launched his own line of merchandise, including helmets and apparel, which further strengthens his personal brand in the world of motorsports.
Changing Trends in Athlete Earnings
The ranking of the world’s highest paid athletes shows a number of interesting trends. Firstly, an increase in the size of sponsorship contracts can be seen. This indicates that an athlete’s personal brand is becoming an increasingly important factor in shaping their income. It is noteworthy that the COVID-19 pandemic, contrary to expectations, did not have a long-term negative impact on the income of top athletes. On the contrary, we see an increase in total earnings, which speaks to the resilience of the sports industry to global crises.
Secondly, social media continues to play a key role in monetising the popularity of athletes. The number of followers on Instagram and other platforms directly influences an athlete’s appeal to sponsors. This is particularly evident with figures such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Shohei Ohtani. It is also interesting to note the growing trend towards income diversification. Many athletes are actively investing in startups, launching their own brands and even becoming venture capitalists. This indicates that today’s athletes are increasingly thinking about long-term financial stability beyond their athletic careers.
Comparing Athletes’ Incomes With Other Fields
When analysing the earnings of top athletes, it is interesting to compare them with those of stars from other areas of entertainment and business. Compared to actors and musicians, elite athletes display impressive financial power. For example, one of Hollywood’s highest paid actors, Tom Cruise, earns around $100 million, which is comparable to the earnings of the athletes in our top 5, but well behind the top earners.
However, when it comes to comparing CEOs of major corporations, the picture changes. CEOs of tech giants like Apple or Amazon can receive compensation packages that far exceed the incomes of even the highest paid athletes. For example, Tim Cook’s total compensation in 2023 was around $99 million, which is comparable to the incomes of the athletes at the top of our rankings.
Also keep in mind that unlike CEOs, whose income is heavily dependent on the shareholder value of their companies, athletes have more diversified sources of income. This includes not only salaries and prize money, but also sponsorship contracts, income from their own brands and investments. But there are nuances here too, as a professional athlete’s career is typically shorter than a career in business or the entertainment industry, which partly explains athletes’ high incomes in the peak years of their careers.
Conclusion
So, the ranking of the 15 highest paid athletes in the world clearly demonstrates that modern sport is not only an arena for demonstrating outstanding physical abilities, but also a powerful industry with huge financial opportunities. Talent, charisma and skilful personal brand management allow athletes to reach impressive financial heights. With the growing influence of digital technology, social media and new forms of monetising popularity, the future of the sports industry looks promising. However, it is important to remember that behind these astronomical numbers are years of hard work, dedication and the constant pursuit of excellence.