Forbes.com has recently published their ranking of the highest-paid sporting people of the year. And there are many surprises! In the span of eight years, Cristiano Ronaldo has experienced significant shifts in his soccer career, transitioning from Real Madrid to Juventus and Manchester United before settling at Al Nassr of the Saudi Pro League. Yet, amidst these changes, there remains a constant: Ronaldo’s ability to command extraordinary earnings.
Cristiano Ronaldo remains the highest-paid athlete
Over the past 12 months, the Portuguese has amassed an estimated $260 million, securing his position as the highest-paid athlete in the world for the fourth time in his career. Ronaldo’s contract with Al Nassr alone is estimated to have earned him a staggering $200 million this season, while his success as a pitchman has brought in an additional $60 million through endorsements from notable brands such as Nike, Binance, and Herbalife.
How much the top 50 is worth?
In total, the top 50 highest-paid athletes globally have collectively earned an estimated $3.88 billion over the past year, a 13% increase from the previous record of $3.44 billion. A significant portion of this income, approximately 76% or $2.94 billion, stems from on-field earnings comprising salaries, bonuses, and prize money. This surge can be attributed, in part, to the continued infusion of Middle Eastern funds into the world of sports. The remaining 24%, equivalent to $936 million, represents earnings from sponsorships, appearances, licensing, memorabilia, and other business endeavors. However, it is important to note that this figure has experienced a 13% decline compared to the previous year’s total of $1.08 billion.
Overall, Ronaldo’s unyielding ability to consistently earn exceptional sums mirrors the broader trends within the sports industry, where both on-field success and off-field endorsements contribute to substantial financial gains.
The threshold for the prestigious top 50 list this year stands at a remarkable $45.2 million, boasting an impressive 20% surge from the previous record set in 2022.
Who is gone and who is back?
Remarkably, 10 fresh faces have secured their place on the Top 50 ranking, while another eight have returned after an absence of one year or longer. The NBA claims the highest representation with 19 players, followed by the NFL with 11, and global soccer/football seizes third place with eight players. Interestingly, LIV Golf undeniably leaves its mark as two out of the five top-ranked golfers hail from this sport, with Jon Rahm securing the highly coveted second spot on the list following his remarkable entry in December.
The Spanish golfer finds himself among a group of 22 athletes who are under the age of 30, paving the way for a potential shift in the sporting landscape. It is worth mentioning that several perennial powerhouses in the form of Serena Williams, Roger Federer, and Tom Brady have stepped into retirement, while the likes of Ronaldo, LeBron James, Tiger Woods, and three other athletes aged 39 or older might not be far behind.
No Women in The Top 50
A notable aspect of this year’s Top 50 ranking is the absence of female athletes, marking the first time since 2019 that no women have been listed. Historically, only Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Li Na, and Naomi Osaka have made it to the top 50 in the last twelve years. This marks a persistent gender disparity in earnings within the sports industry.
The Top 50 Ranking
Find below the complete ranking of the world’s Top 50 highest-paid athletes. All figures are expressed in dollars.
1 | Cristiano Ronaldo
Sport: Soccer/Football
Total Earnings: 260 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 200 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 60 million
2 | Jon Rahm
Sport: Golf
Total Earnings: 218 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 198 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 20 million
3 | Lionel Messi
Sport: Soccer/Football
Total Earnings: 135 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 65 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 70 million
4 | LeBron James
Sport: Basketball
Total Earnings: 128,2 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 48,2 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 80 million
5 | Giannis Antetokounmpo
Sport: Basketball
Total Earnings: 111 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 46 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 65 million
6 | Kylian Mbappé
Sport: Soccer/Football
Total Earnings: 110 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 90 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 20 million
7 | Neymar
Sport: Soccer/Football
Total Earnings: 108 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 80 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 28 million
8 | Karim Benzema
Sport: Soccer/Football
Total Earnings: 106 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 100 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 6 million
9 | Stephen Curry
Sport: Basketball
Total Earnings: 102 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 52 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 50 million
10 | Lamar Jackson
Sport: American Football
Total Earnings: 100,5 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 98,5 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 2 million
11 | Joe Burrow
Sport: American Football
Total Earnings: 100 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 96 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 4 million
12 | Kevin Durant
Sport: Basketball
Total Earnings: 93,3 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 47,8 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 45,5 million
13 | Shohei Ohtani
Sport: Baseball
Total Earnings: 85,3 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 25,3 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 60 million
14 | Canelo Alvarez
Sport: Boxing
Total Earnings: 85 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 75 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 10 million
15 | Patrick Mahomes
Sport: American Football
Total Earnings: 84,4 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 59,4 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 25 million
16 | Anthony Joshua
Sport: Boxing
Total Earnings: 83 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 75 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 8 million
17 | Max Verstappen
Sport: Formula 1
Total Earnings: 81 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 76 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 5 million
18 | Aaron Rodgers
Sport: American Football
Total Earnings: 80,8 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 71,8 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 9 million
19 | Rory McIlroy
Sport: Golf
Total Earnings: 80,1 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 35,1 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 45 million
20 | Justin Herbert
Sport: American Football
Total Earnings: 78,7 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 67,7
Off-The-Field Earnings: 11 million
21 | Lewis Hamilton
Sport: Formula 1
Total Earnings: 69 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 57 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 12 million
22 | Nick Bosa
Sport: American Football
Total Earnings: 68 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 66,5 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 1,5 million
23 | Tiger Woods
Sport: Golf
Total Earnings: 67,2 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 12,2 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 55 million
24 | Kirk Cousins
Sport: American Football
Total Earnings: 62,5 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 60 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 2,5 million
25 | Klay Thompson
Sport: Basketball
Total Earnings: 62,3 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 43,3 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 19 million
26 | Damian Lillard
Sport: Basketball
Total Earnings: 61,9 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 45,9 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 16 million
27 | Erling Haaland
Sport: Soccer/Football
Total Earnings: 61 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 46 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 15 million
28 | Max Scherzer
Sport: Baseball
Total Earnings: 59,9 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 58,9 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 1 milione
29 | Scottie Scheffler
Sport: Golf
Total Earnings: 59,2 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 39,2 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 20 million
30 | Joel Embiid
Sport: Basketball
Total Earnings: 57,7 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 47,7 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 10 million
31 | Jimmy Butler
Sport: Basketball
Total Earnings: 57,5 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 45,5 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 12 million
32 | Nikola Jokic
Sport: Basketball
Total Earnings: 56,1 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 48,1 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 8 million
33 | James Harden
Sport: Basketball
Total Earnings: 55,8 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 35,8 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 20 million
34 | Luka Doncic
Sport: Basketball
Total Earnings: 55,1 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 40,1 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 15 million
35 | Bradley Beal
Sport: Basketball
Total Earnings: 54,3 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 46,8 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 7,5 million
36 | Chris Jones
Sport: American Football
Total Earnings: 54,1 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 53,1 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 1 milione
37 | Kawhi Leonard
Sport: Basketball
Total Earnings: 53,7 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 45,7 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 8 million
38 | Mohamed Salah
Sport: Soccer/Football
Total Earnings: 53 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 35 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 18 million
39 | Paul George
Sport: Basketball
Total Earnings: 52,7 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 45,7 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 7 million
40 | Sadio Mané
Sport: Soccer/Football
Total Earnings: 52 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 48 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 4 million
41 | Brian Burns
Sport: American Football
Total Earnings: 51,7 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 51,5 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 0,2 million
42 | Tyson Fury
Sport: Boxing
Total Earnings: 50 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 42 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 8 million
43 | Cameron Smith
Sport: Golf
Total Earnings: 48 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 44 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 4 million
44 | Trae Young
Sport: Basketball
Total Earnings: 47,3 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 40,3 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 7 million
45 | Deshaun Watson
Sport: American Football
Total Earnings: 47 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 46 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 1 milione
46 | Rashan Gary
Sport: American Football
Total Earnings: 46,8 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 46,5 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 0,3 million
47 | Anthony Davis
Sport: Basketball
Total Earnings: 46,2 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 41,2 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 5 million
48 | Zion Williamson
Sport: Basketball
Total Earnings: 46,1 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 34,1 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 12 million
49 | Jayson Tatum
Sport: Basketball
Total Earnings: 45,9 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 32,9 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 13 million
50 | Devin Booker
Sport: Basketball
Total Earnings: 45,2 million
On-The-Field Earnings: 36,2 million
Off-The-Field Earnings: 9 million
