The world’s top sports stars’ earnings are following the Olympic motto, getting higher and higher. Records have been broken along the way. The business magazine Forbes, which keeps tabs on the income of the uber-rich, reports a new milestone. For the first time in history, the top ten sports stars on Forbes’ annual ranking earned more than $100 million each—a record-breaking $1.38 billion combined.
Saudi Arabia’s oil wealth has propelled starry earnings to stratospheric levels. Saudi money has vastly enriched sports like soccer and golf and turned their top stars into athletic tycoons. Four of the world’s highest-paid sportsmen (they are all men) on the Forbes list are beholden to the Saudis. Three are soccer stars playing for Saudi clubs, and one is a golfer on LIV Golf.
LIV Golf and the Saudi soccer clubs the superstars play for are all funded by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF). It has an estimated $925 billion in assets and a majority stake in the English Premier League club, Newcastle United.
But Saudi money is not the only booster thrusting athletic earnings to the stratosphere. Sponsorships and media rights’ fees have also soared.
And America, as always, remains a land of opportunity, with the most enticing financial rewards for those it takes to heart.
Five of the world’s 10 highest-paid athletes make their living in America, including a soccer star. Three are supercagers—basketball stars—and the other is an American football quarterback.
Only one of the world’s 10 highest-paid sportsmen is based in Europe. He is also a soccer star.
Here’s the top 10 list.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo ($260 million)
The 39-year-old Portuguese forward is paid an annual $200 million salary by the Saudi Pro League Club Al Nassr. He is the league’s top goal scorer with 33 goals. He earns an annual $60 million from sponsorships, which include deals with crypto exchange Binance, fitness app Erakulis and Nike,
2. Jon Rahm ($218 million)
The 29-year-old Spanish golfer, who joined LIV Golf in December last year, is estimated to have an annual on-field income of $198 million as a player and an off-field income of $20 million from other sources.
3. Lionel Messi ($135 million)
The 36-year-old Argentinian Lionel Messi has transformed the fortunes of his new club, Inter Miami, now the second most valuable club in Major League Soccer history. His on-field income is estimated to be $65 million and off-field $70 million. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner scored 10 goals in his first nine matches this season. Off the field, he is now sponsored by Lowe’s as well as Adidas, Apple and Konami.
4. $128.2 LeBron James ($128.2 million)
The 39-year-old American LeBron James has delivered star power to the Los Angeles Lakers, but there is speculation about his future as he wants to play with his eldest son, Bronny. He is likely to make his final Olympic appearance in Paris. His on-field income is estimated to be $48.2 million and off-field $80 million. He invested in the golf world’s new commercial venture, PGA Tour Enterprises.
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo ($111 million)
The 29-year-old Greek basketball star is recovering from a calf injury that ended his season with the Milwaukee Bucks. His on-field income is estimated to be $46 million and off-field $65 million. He has a new production company, a partnership with Pepsi, and his sixth signature sneaker with Nike is due to be launched later this year.
6. Kylian Mbappé ($110 million)
The 25-year-old Frenchman is expected to leave Paris Saint-Germain and fulfil his childhood dream by joining Real Madrid next season. His on-field income is estimated to be $90 million and off-field $20 million He formed a production company in 2022, which partnered with the NBA, and has deals with Nike, Hublot, and Oakley, among others.
7. Neymar ($108 million)
The 32-year-old Brazilian joined the Saudi Arabian soccer Al Hilal last year on a lavish pay package loaded with perks, including access to a private jet, a fleet of luxury cars and a fully staffed mansion. But he was injured in a World Cup qualifying match last October, thus ending his club season after just five matches played in the Saudi Pro League and AFC Champions League. But he has new endorsement deals. He has launched a new soccer boot with Puma and partnered with Fun Brands to develop his own line of cocktails and mocktails. He has estimated to have an $80 million on-field income and $20 million off-fiekd income.
8. Karim Benzema ($106 million)
The 38-year-old Frenchman Benzema, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2022, left Real Madrid as a free agent last year and joined Saudi Pro League team Al Ittihad. His first season with Al Ittihad has been plagued by health issues. He is estimated to have a $100 million on-field income and $6 million off-field.
9. Stephen Curry ($102 million)
The 36-year-old American basketballer Stephen Curry leads the NBA with 357 three-pointers this season and earned a place on Team USA’s Olympic roster this summer. He also signed a new deal with Under Armour last year. He is estimated to have a $52 million on-field income and $50 million off-field.
10. Lamar Jackson ($100.5 million)
27-year-old American football quarterback Lamar Jackson is in the top ten thanks to the $72.5 million signing bonus he received with his new Baltimore Ravens contract last year. He is estimated to have a $98.5 million on-field income and $2 million off-field. He owns several businesses, including a soul food restaurant, a production company, a record label, and a clothing line called Era 8.
Source: Forbes