Forbes List of the World’s Highest-Paid Athletes

The Forbes list of the world’s highest-paid athletes is one of the most anticipated annual rankings, showcasing the top athletes from various sports who have amassed substantial wealth through salaries, winnings, and endorsements. The list provides a comprehensive look at how the world’s most elite athletes leverage both their talents and marketability to generate staggering incomes. This article takes a closer look at the 2024 and 2023 lists, revealing the top earners and highlighting the changes in rankings between the two years.

2024 List of Highest-Paid Athletes

In 2024, the top ten athletes in the world collectively earned millions through a combination of salary, winnings, and endorsement deals. Here’s a look at the top ten athletes and their earnings:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Association Football – Portugal):
   Total Earnings: $260 million
   • Salary/Winnings: $200 million
   • Endorsements: $60 million
   Ronaldo reclaimed the top spot, significantly boosting his earnings through a lucrative contract in Saudi Arabia and his ever-growing list of endorsement deals.
2. Jon Rahm (Golf – Spain):
   Total Earnings: $218 million
   • Salary/Winnings: $198 million
   • Endorsements: $20 million
   Rahm, a rising star in golf, climbed to second place, primarily due to his staggering winnings on the LIV Golf tour.
3. Lionel Messi (Association Football – Argentina):
   Total Earnings: $135 million
   • Salary/Winnings: $65 million
   • Endorsements: $70 million
   Messi maintained a strong position in third place, driven by both his salary and endorsements with global brands.
4. LeBron James (Basketball – United States):
   Total Earnings: $128.2 million
   • Salary/Winnings: $48.2 million
   • Endorsements: $80 million
   LeBron’s off-court ventures, including endorsements and business projects, continue to make him one of the highest earners in sports.
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Basketball – Greece):
   Total Earnings: $111 million
   • Salary/Winnings: $46 million
   • Endorsements: $65 million
   Giannis’ meteoric rise in both the NBA and his off-court endorsements propelled him into the top five for the first time.
6. Kylian Mbappé (Association Football – France):
   Total Earnings: $110 million
   • Salary/Winnings: $90 million
   • Endorsements: $20 million
   The French football sensation continues to dominate on the field and is one of the highest-paid footballers in the world.
7. Neymar (Association Football – Brazil):
   Total Earnings: $108 million
   • Salary/Winnings: $80 million
   • Endorsements: $28 million
   Neymar remains a major force in football with substantial income from both his salary and his numerous sponsorships.
8. Karim Benzema (Association Football – France):
   Total Earnings: $106 million
   • Salary/Winnings: $100 million
   • Endorsements: $6 million
   Benzema’s switch to the Saudi Arabian league significantly increased his salary, pushing him into the top ten.
9. Stephen Curry (Basketball – United States):
   Total Earnings: $102 million
   • Salary/Winnings: $52 million
   • Endorsements: $50 million
   Curry’s consistent performance in the NBA and his expanding portfolio of endorsements keep him among the highest-paid athletes.
10. Lamar Jackson (American Football – United States):
    Total Earnings: $100.5 million
    • Salary/Winnings: $98.5 million
    • Endorsements: $2 million
    Jackson’s new contract with the Baltimore Ravens propelled him into the top ten for the first time.

2023 List of Highest-Paid Athletes

In comparison, the 2023 Forbes list saw several familiar names, but the rankings shifted slightly:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Association Football – Portugal):
   Total Earnings: $136 million
   • Salary/Winnings: $46 million
   • Endorsements: $90 million
2. Lionel Messi (Association Football – Argentina):
   Total Earnings: $130 million
   • Salary/Winnings: $65 million
   • Endorsements: $65 million
3. Kylian Mbappé (Association Football – France):
   Total Earnings: $120 million
   • Salary/Winnings: $100 million
   • Endorsements: $20 million
4. LeBron James (Basketball – United States):
   Total Earnings: $119.5 million
   • Salary/Winnings: $44.5 million
   • Endorsements: $75 million
5. Canelo Álvarez (Boxing – Mexico):
   Total Earnings: $110 million
   • Salary/Winnings: $100 million
   • Endorsements: $10 million
6. Dustin Johnson (Golf – United States):
   Total Earnings: $107 million
   • Salary/Winnings: $102 million
   • Endorsements: $5 million
7. Phil Mickelson (Golf – United States):
   Total Earnings: $106 million
   • Salary/Winnings: $104 million
   • Endorsements: $2 million
8. Stephen Curry (Basketball – United States):
   Total Earnings: $100.4 million
   • Salary/Winnings: $48.4 million
   • Endorsements: $52 million
9. Roger Federer (Tennis – Switzerland):
   Total Earnings: $95.1 million
   • Salary/Winnings: $0.1 million
   • Endorsements: $95 million
10. Kevin Durant (Basketball – United States):
    Total Earnings: $89.1 million
    • Salary/Winnings: $44.1 million
    • Endorsements: $45 million

Comparison of 2023 and 2024

In comparing the two years, Cristiano Ronaldo retained his position at the top, with a dramatic increase in earnings between 2023 and 2024, jumping from $136 million to an incredible $260 million. This significant rise was driven by his lucrative contract with a Saudi Arabian club, alongside his continued dominance in the endorsement space.

Jon Rahm surged into the second position in 2024, primarily due to his success in the LIV Golf tour, while Lionel Messi, who held second place in 2023, dropped to third in 2024, despite strong endorsement earnings.

LeBron James continued to be a consistent top earner, ranking fourth in both years, highlighting his unparalleled impact both on and off the basketball court. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappé remained a fixture in the top five, solidifying his place as one of football’s highest earners.

Notably, Roger Federer, who ranked ninth in 2023 despite minimal on-court earnings due to his retirement, dropped out of the top ten in 2024, making room for rising stars like Lamar Jackson and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Power of Endorsements

The Forbes list underscores the immense power of endorsements in boosting athletes’ overall earnings. For instance, LeBron James and Cristiano Ronaldo earned more from endorsements than from their respective sports salaries in both years. Similarly, retired athletes like Roger Federer in 2023, who earned almost exclusively through endorsements, show that marketability and brand partnerships are crucial factors in maintaining a spot among the highest-paid athletes globally.

Conclusion

The Forbes list of the world’s highest-paid athletes continues to highlight not only the financial rewards of athletic excellence but also the role of branding and endorsements in maximizing earnings. Whether it’s the global reach of football stars like Ronaldo and Messi or the powerful endorsements commanded by basketball icons like LeBron James, the list serves as a testament to the evolving dynamics of wealth in professional sports. As the 2024 list demonstrates, athletes across a range of sports are finding new ways to grow their income, both on and off the field.