Sport is more lucrative than ever, and 2025 has seen athletes earn staggering sums from contracts, bonuses, and endorsements. These figures represent annual earnings, converted into pounds sterling, giving a clear look at the richest stars in the sporting world. Let’s count them down from number 50.
50. Russell Wilson – £42.3M per year
Even after changing teams, Russell Wilson is still cashing monster checks. The NFL veteran rakes in £37.6M from his contract and adds nearly £5M from business ventures, proving that “Let Russ Cook” applies to his bank account too.
49. Xander Schauffele – £42.3M per year
Golf’s silent assassin keeps quietly stacking wins and prize money. With £26.5M on the course and a cool £15.8M in endorsements, Schauffele is living proof that consistency pays — handsomely.
48. Sadio Mané – £42.7M per year
From the Champions League to Saudi Arabia, Mané’s journey has been nothing short of spectacular. His £39.5M football salary plus £3.2M in sponsorships make him one of Africa’s most successful athletes ever.
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47. Kyler Murray – £43.1M per year
Kyler Murray might be one of the shortest QBs in the league, but his paycheck is anything but small. The Cardinals star pockets £40.8M on the field and still finds time to bring in £2.4M off it.
46. Vinicius Junior – £43.5M per year
Vinicius is Real Madrid’s new superstar, dancing past defenders and counting pounds along the way. With £31.6M on-pitch earnings and £11.9M from sponsors, he’s set to dominate both La Liga and the financial game for years.
45. Tiger Woods – £43.8M per year
He might not play as much these days, but Tiger Woods still roars at the bank. £35.5M comes from endorsements alone, proving his name is still golf’s golden ticket.
44. Jayson Tatum – £44.1M per year
Tatum is Boston’s franchise player and one of the NBA’s smoothest scorers. His £28.3M salary is just the start — add £15.8M in endorsements and you get a true superstar lifestyle.
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43. Paul George – £44.5M per year
PG-13 keeps Clippers fans hopeful with his reliable two-way game and £38.9M salary. He tops it up with £5.5M from commercials and partnerships — not bad for a “quiet” superstar.
42. Kawhi Leonard – £45.3M per year
The “Fun Guy” might not talk much, but his bank account does plenty of speaking. Kawhi banks £38.9M from the Clippers and picks up £6.3M in endorsement money without saying a word.
41. Nikola Jokic – £45.5M per year
The Joker is laughing all the way to the bank. With £40.8M on-court earnings and £4.7M in endorsements, the Nuggets’ MVP proves that passing big men can cash big checks.
40. Bradley Beal – £46.0M per year
Beal’s sweet shooting stroke keeps him among the NBA’s elite earners. He takes home nearly £40M on the court and an extra £6.3M off it, making Phoenix very sunny for him indeed.
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39. Devin Booker – £46.1M per year
Booker is a bucket-getting machine — and his bank account reflects it. £38.9M from his contract plus £7.1M in endorsements means he’s winning even without a ring.
38. Luka Dončić – £46.2M per year
Luka Magic isn’t just a nickname — it’s a business plan. His £34.4M salary plus £11.8M in endorsements make him one of the most marketable young stars in the game.
37. Jimmy Butler – £47.2M per year
Playoff Jimmy shows up every spring, and so does the money. £38.5M on-court and £8.7M off it means he’s grinding both for titles and for pounds.
36. Joel Embiid – £47.7M per year
The reigning MVP is a force on and off the court. His £39.8M salary is matched by £7.9M from sponsorships, and his personality makes him one of the league’s biggest stars.
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35. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – £48.3M per year
SGA is the face of OKC’s resurgence — and he’s getting paid like it. £28.6M comes from basketball, while an incredible £19.7M in endorsements proves he’s become a global name.
34. Erling Haaland – £49.0M per year
The goal machine doesn’t just score on the pitch — he scores at the bank too. With £37.9M from Manchester City and £11.1M in endorsements, Haaland is as unstoppable financially as he is in front of goal.
33. Anthony Edwards – £49.1M per year
Ant-Man is the Timberwolves’ future and he’s already being paid like a superstar. £33.3M comes from basketball and £15.8M from sponsors — a blockbuster rise for one of the league’s best young personalities.
32. Josh Allen – £52.2M per year
Buffalo’s superstar quarterback is being paid like the franchise cornerstone he is. £47.5M from football and £4.7M in endorsements give him MVP-level earnings.
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31. CeeDee Lamb – £52.7M per year
Lamb is one of the NFL’s best receivers and now one of its best-paid. £50.7M in salary plus £2M in sponsorships make every touchdown even sweeter.
30. Blake Snell – £53.2M per year
Snell’s elite pitching is rewarded with a massive £52.6M salary. His endorsements are small (£0.6M), but when you’re throwing that well, who cares?
29. Damian Lillard – £53.3M per year
“Dame Time” pays big. £39.1M in salary and £14.2M in sponsorships mean Lillard is still one of the league’s biggest stars on and off the court.
28. Justin Jefferson – £57.0M per year
Jefferson is redefining what a wide receiver can earn. £53.9M in salary and £3.1M in endorsements put him at the top of the NFL’s earnings list.
27. Tua Tagovailoa – £57.2M per year
Tua’s breakout season has paid off big-time. £53.9M from the Dolphins plus £3.2M in endorsements make him one of the league’s most valuable quarterbacks.
26. Justin Herbert – £58.1M per year
Herbert’s rocket arm comes with a rocket-sized paycheck — £50.3M on the field and £7.9M off it. The Chargers have locked up their franchise QB for good reason.
25. Neymar – £60.0M per year
Neymar might be battling injuries, but his wallet is in top shape. £36.3M from football and £23.7M in sponsorships keep him among the sport’s elite earners.
24. Max Verstappen – £61.6M per year
Formula 1’s unstoppable force keeps cashing in. £56.9M in salary plus £4.7M from sponsors prove that winning titles never gets old — or cheap.
23. Lewis Hamilton – £63.2M per year
Hamilton is more than a driver — he’s a global icon. £47.4M on the track and £15.8M in sponsorships make him one of the richest figures in motorsport.
22. Canelo Álvarez – £63.2M per year
Canelo’s fists keep earning him fortune after fortune. £55.3M in the ring and £7.9M in endorsements prove boxing is still a money-making spectacle.
21. Trevor Lawrence – £63.6M per year
The Jaguars’ golden-haired QB is now golden paid. £58.8M in salary plus £4.7M in endorsements make him the face of Jacksonville — and its economy.
20. Jared Goff – £63.8M per year
Goff’s comeback story has been lucrative. £59.9M in football salary plus £3.9M in endorsements mean Detroit finally has a star to build around.
19. Jordan Love – £65.6M per year
The Packers’ heir to Aaron Rodgers’ throne is doing just fine. £62.4M in salary and £3.1M in endorsements show that Green Bay’s new era is off to a rich start.
18. Patrick Mahomes – £68.6M per year
Mahomes continues to be the NFL’s poster boy — and one of its top earners. £46.5M from football and £22.1M in endorsements make him a true face of the league.
17. Rory McIlroy – £69.5M per year
McIlroy remains golf’s biggest global star. £34M in tournament winnings plus £35.5M in endorsements keep him firmly at the top of the sport’s rich list.
16. Kylian Mbappé – £71.1M per year
Mbappé is now the jewel of Real Madrid, leading their attack and cashing in massively. He earns £55.3M from his new La Liga contract and £15.8M in endorsements, making him one of the most powerful names in world football — on and off the pitch.
15. Deshaun Watson – £72.5M per year
Watson’s massive fully guaranteed contract pays him £71.7M per season. Add £0.8M in endorsements and you have one of the NFL’s most financially secure stars.
14. Scottie Scheffler – £73.1M per year
Scheffler is dominating golf right now, and the money shows it. £49.4M from winnings and £23.7M in endorsements make him the game’s most bankable player.
13. Giannis Antetokounmpo – £74.6M per year
The “Greek Freak” has one of the biggest paydays in the NBA. £39.0M in salary and £35.6M in endorsements prove he’s both a champion and a marketing dream.
12. Jon Rahm – £79.0M per year
Rahm shocked the golf world with a mega move to LIV, but it’s paid off — literally. £71.1M in winnings and £7.9M in sponsorships make him one of the sport’s wealthiest figures.
11. Oleksandr Usyk – £79.8M per year
The Ukrainian champ not only unified the heavyweight division — he unified his bank balance too. £79.0M from fights and £0.8M in sponsorships make him boxing royalty.
10. Kevin Durant – £80.1M per year
Durant’s silky smooth game nets him £40.6M from basketball and £39.5M from endorsements. He remains one of the NBA’s most bankable stars.
9. Shohei Ohtani – £81.0M per year
Ohtani earns just £2M on the field but obliterates everyone off it with £79M in endorsements — the most of any athlete. Baseball’s two-way sensation is also a two-way money machine.
8. Karim Benzema – £82.2M per year
Benzema’s move to Saudi Arabia was controversial, but the £79M salary explains why he said yes. Add £3.2M in endorsements and you get one of football’s richest forwards.
7. Juan Soto – £90.1M per year
Soto is baseball’s highest-paid man with £86.1M from the field. His £4M in sponsorships are just icing on a very expensive cake.
6. LeBron James – £105.7M per year
The King is still ruling. £38.5M from basketball and a staggering £67.2M from endorsements make him the NBA’s top earner off the court.
5. Lionel Messi – £106.7M per year
Messi may be in Miami, but his bank balance is global. £47.4M in salary plus £59.3M in sponsorships keep him among the world’s richest.
4. Dak Prescott – £108.2M per year
The Cowboys quarterback is the NFL’s highest-paid player. £100.3M from football plus £7.9M from endorsements make him America’s richest star.
3. Tyson Fury – £115.3M per year
“The Gypsy King” reigns supreme with £110.6M from boxing. £4.7M in endorsements add to his total as he remains the sport’s top attraction.
2. Stephen Curry – £123.2M per year
Curry changed basketball — and now he’s changing what players can earn. £44.2M from the Warriors plus £79M from sponsors make him the most marketable man in the NBA.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo – £217.3M per year
Ronaldo sits alone at the top of the money mountain. £177.8M from Al Nassr and £39.5M from endorsements make him the richest athlete on Earth — and still the ultimate global superstar.
