Highest-Paid Athletes in the World: Ronaldo Leads, NBA Stars Dominate
How the World’s Top Athletes Earned a Record $6.2 Billion in 2024
Sportico has released its annual list of the 100 Highest-Paid Athletes in the World for 2024, and the numbers are staggering. These top-earning athletes raked in a combined $6.2 billion, with $4.8 billion from salaries, bonuses, and prize money, and another $1.4 billion from endorsements and off-field ventures.
Cristiano Ronaldo Tops the List
At the top of the list, Cristiano Ronaldo reigns supreme, earning an eye-popping $260 million—$215 million from his contract with Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr and $45 million from endorsements. This marks the second consecutive year Ronaldo has topped the earnings chart, pushing his career earnings past $1.8 billion since his debut in 2002.
His immense popularity on social media, with over 1 billion followers, helps fuel lucrative endorsement deals with brands like Nike, Herbalife, and Binance. His 649 million Instagram followers make him the world’s most-followed person, turning his platform into a marketing goldmine.
NBA Players Dominate the Top 100
While Ronaldo leads the pack, NBA players dominate the list with 36 athletes, making basketball the most represented sport. These players collectively earned $2.02 billion, showcasing the league's skyrocketing salaries driven by soaring salary caps and lucrative media deals.
Stephen Curry leads NBA earnings with $153.8 million
LeBron James follows closely with $133.2 million
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant each earned nearly $100 million
The NBA salary cap has surged 140% since 2013 and is expected to rise 10% annually for the next decade, fueled by the league’s $77 billion media rights deal. Nearly 50 NBA players will earn over $30 million this season, and that number is expected to double by 2030.
NFL Quarterbacks Cash In
The NFL also made a strong showing with 22 players on the list, up from 16 last year. Thanks to rising salary caps and massive signing bonuses, stars like Dak Prescott ($100.4 million) and Patrick Mahomes ($73.1 million) highlight the financial power of American football.
The NFL salary cap has increased 107% since 2013, but quarterback salaries have grown even faster. The average salary for the top 10 quarterbacks in 2013 was $18.6 million—last year, it was $53.3 million.
Saudi Arabia’s Influence is Unmistakable
Saudi Arabia’s financial power is reshaping global sports.
Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nassr set the stage for massive paydays in the Saudi Pro League.
Neymar ($133 million), Karim Benzema ($116 million), and Riyad Mahrez ($52 million) followed suit.
Boxers Tyson Fury ($147 million) and Oleksandr Usyk ($122 million) earned most of their money from two fights held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia’s influence extends beyond soccer and boxing. The LIV Golf tour, backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, has drastically increased earnings for players like Jon Rahm ($105.8 million) and Scottie Scheffler ($104.3 million). The introduction of higher tournament purses and guaranteed contracts has caused a seismic shift in golf’s financial landscape.
Endorsement Kings: Who Earns the Most Off the Field?
While most athletes rely heavily on their salaries and bonuses, some stars earn more from sponsorships than their actual sport.
Shohei Ohtani: $70 million in endorsements
Tiger Woods: $52 million from sponsors (only $84K from prize money)
Lionel Messi: $75 million in brand deals
This trend highlights the growing power of personal brands, as social media and global exposure turn top athletes into marketing juggernauts.
No Women in the Top 100
For the second straight year, no female athletes made the top 100. The closest was Coco Gauff, who earned $30.4 million, just shy of the $37.5 million cutoff set by NFL quarterback Daniel Jones.
Young Stars Rising, But Veterans Still Lead
Sports are often considered a young person’s game, but the highest earners are seasoned veterans.
Ronaldo (40), LeBron James (40), and Messi (36) continue to dominate earnings.
Neymar (33) is the youngest athlete in the top 8.
Carlos Alcaraz (21) is the youngest on the list, earning $40.4 million from tennis.
Key Takeaways
✅ Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest-paid athlete with $260 million in earnings.
✅ NBA players lead the list with 36 athletes, followed by NFL players with 22.
✅ The top 100 athletes earned $6.2 billion, up 14% from last year.
✅ Saudi Arabia's financial influence is reshaping football, boxing, and golf.
✅ No female athletes made the top 100 for the second consecutive year.
For the full list and detailed earnings breakdown, check out Sportico’s complete ranking of the 100 Highest-Paid Athletes in 2024.
https://www.sportico.com/feature/highest-paid-athletes-in-the-world-1234765608/