Sportico has released its fourth annual ranking of the world’s highest paid athletes after evaluating earnings for the 2024 calendar year. The ranking celebrates the most famous athletes—each of whom has raked in hundreds of millions through their sports. This year’s list marks a departure from the methodology used in the initial two editions, which tracked earnings over a rolling 12‑month period from June to May.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo continues to lead the ranking thanks to his lucrative deal with Al‑Nassr, while four‑time NBA champion Stephen Curry occupies second place. Surprisingly, Tyson Fury appears third, confirming that boxing remains a powerhouse, with Lionel Messi and LeBron James completing the top five.
Interestingly, no female athlete appears among the top 100 earners.
The reported figures include salaries, prize money, and all bonuses—whether tied to signings, incentives, playoffs, or special appearances. For football and basketball players, the rankings incorporate weighted averages of their base salaries for the 2023‑24 and 2024‑25 seasons, factoring in bonuses earned within 2024.
Beyond salaries, endorsement deals contribute significantly to overall earnings. Athletes profit from sponsorships, licensing, royalties, memorabilia sales, appearances, media ventures, book deals, and even personal brand investments.
| Rank | Athlete | Sport | Team/Club | Salary/Winnings | Endorsements | Total Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Football | Al‑Nassr | $215M | $45M | $260M |
| 2 | Stephen Curry | Basketball | Golden State Warriors | $53.8M | $100M | $153.8M |
| 3 | Tyson Fury | Boxing | – | $140M | $7M | $147M |
| 4 | Lionel Messi | Football | Inter Miami CF | $60M | $75M | $135M |
| 5 | LeBron James | Basketball | Los Angeles Lakers | $48.2M | $85M | $133.2M |
| 6 | Neymar | Football | Paris Saint‑Germain | $108M | $25M | $133M |
| 7 | Oleksandr Usyk | Boxing | – | $120M | $2M | $122M |
| 8 | Karim Benzema | Football | Al‑Ittihad | $108M | $8M | $116M |
| 9 | Kylian Mbappé | Football | Real Madrid | $85M | $25M | $110M |
| 10 | Jon Rahm | Golf | – | $85.8M | $20M | $105.8M |