DID YOU KNOW? That in 2025, the highest-paid athletes in the world actually earn more in a year than entire teams used to earn in a whole decade?
Yes, we’re dead serious–we kid you not. They truly earn that much. Indeed, the world of sports is a place where money literally flows like water, as no deal, contract or arrangement is sealed without massive amounts of money moving to make it happen (and we’re talking in the hundreds of thousands and millions of dollars).
2025 has shattered all previous records for player earnings.
Just two years ago, in 2023, the highest-paid player earned around $136 million—an impressive figure at the time. Fast forward to 2025, and the numbers have skyrocketed beyond $250 million, driven by record-breaking sponsorships, massive media rights deals, and a booming sports betting industry.
Now another thing that makes it possible for these athletes to earn so much that they are able to so easily rival whole teams’ earnings is the fact that these players don’t confine their salary to only what their talent can bring to the table–even as much as that alone affords them.
These players step beyond their own industry to foray in the world of business, technology, entertainment–you name it.
So we’re talking about world-renowned players who are also world-renowned business moguls, cultural icons and digital-age billionaires. So they’re actually not just sports stars anymore.
Evelyn Balyton, a sports expert, made an accurate statement regarding the wealth of these athletes: “In today’s sports economy, the highest-paid athletes are no longer just champions of the game—they are CEOs of their own billion-dollar brands.”
And she was spot on because in this new financial landscape, contracts are no longer the biggest source of income—equity stakes, investments, and endorsements play just as significant a role to the fatness of a sport pro’s salary.
Some of these players are making more off the field than on it, proving that the modern sports icon is also a financial powerhouse.
Top 7 Highest-Paid Athletes in the World as at 2025
The financial landscape of sports has never been more dynamic, and soccer is no exception. In 2024, star soccer player Kylian Mbappé continued to dominate both on and off the field, securing lucrative deals that rival even top names in the NFL 3 times over.
Meanwhile, former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema made headlines with his staggering contract at Al Hilal, reportedly earning close to $70 million annually. His move signaled a shift in power, as the Middle Eastern leagues continued luring elite professional players with record-breaking paychecks.
Neymar’s financial playbook mirrors that of modern sports billionaires—his PSG and Saudi deals, combined with brand partnerships, have kept him among the highest-paid athletes in 2025.
According to Spotrac, these figures now place soccer salaries in the same league as Major League Soccer’s biggest signings and even stars from the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, and Milwaukee Bucks.
With endorsement deals pushing earnings past the $100 million mark, modern athletes are proving that wealth extends far beyond the game itself, making off-field ventures just as lucrative as their sporting careers.
So, who are these seven players who are sitting at the pinnacle of sports wealth in 2025? The list might actually surprise you.
Formula 1 champions, football icons and even a golfer who hit some seriously rare highs let us come and look at the names of people who are doing wonders and redefining what sport earnings mean. Let’s go:
Cristiano Ronaldo
This man is 40 years old and still pushing it on the field like nothing. Ronaldo is showing the world that when it comes to making millions, age is just a bunch of numbers.
When he sealed that mad deal with Al Nassr to play in the Saudi pro league in 2022 and earn a salary of 200 million dollars per year, the football world literally spun on its head–that’s one of the most moneyful deals in the history of the sport!
And that’s not the end, as you can imagine. His empire includes:
- A lifetime deal with Nike that packs millions into his account every year.
- The CR7 brand–we’re talking about hotels, perfumes, fashion.
- A followership on social media that is more than any other player, which makes him the biggest influencer in sports.
Jon Rahm
Jon Rahm. This is the biggest disruptor when it comes to earnings in the Golf world in 2025. When he moved to LIV Golf (another Saudi Arabian-backed entity just like the one Ronaldo enjoys), his money flew up to 250 million dollars estimation in contracts and prize money.
He also makes massive money from sponsorships with Callaway, Rolex, and Mercedes, as well as other endorsement deals that push him to the elite ranks of sports billionaires.
Rahm has broken ground for other golfers. Now they see that earning salaries that compare with the biggest names in football and basketball is very possible.
Lionel Messi
Messi, the lifetime rival of Ronaldo! Inter Miami, the American football club co-owned by David Beckham, made a move to sign him, and it’s probably the best decision they’ll ever make.
Since the football world’s G.O.A.T moved over from PSG, the club’s fortune has turned around entirely, reaching unprecedented heights.
His groundbreaking deal includes revenue shares from Apple, Adidas, and MLS broadcasting rights, pushing his 2025 earnings past $135 million.
Key factors in Messi’s financial empire:
- The MLS revolution made him the face of American football.
- Long-standing deals with Pepsi, Budweiser, and Adidas.
- High-profile investments in real estate and NFTs.
Messi continues to solidify his status as one of the most bankable players in history. We can argue that his success comes from talent and hard work.
As the Argentine himself once said, “I always thought that if you want to be the best, you have to work harder than everyone else.”
Lebron James
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He is the first billionaire of basketball. This NBA legend’s wealth is gotten from three major things:
- His media production company SpringHill Company, produces blockbuster movies and documentaries for sports
- A $97 million NBA contract extension. He’s obviously one of the richest in the league.
- He also has shares in Liverpool FC and Blaze Pizza.
So, the guy is settled for life financially.
Stephen Curry
The popular Stephen Steph Curry has done two things: He has revolutionised basketball, and redefined athlete wealth.
He signed a good contract with Under Armour that put $100 million into his pocket. He also invests heavily in tech startups, Silicon Valley ventures, and a golf league.
The guy invests with the same dead-on accuracy as his lethal three-pointers.
Floyd Mayweather
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Even though he retired a while ago, Floyd Mayweather has not stopped making his money in millions. How does he make this money?
Through exhibition fights, real estate investments, and sports betting ventures, he owns many casinos and sports betting platforms.
Speaking of the betting industry, there are boundless opportunities out there for those who love the excitement of staking on people, games, and tournaments.
Particularly for those who love the ring action, review platforms offer betting sites where you can bet on boxing games and leverage opportunities to make sweet wins.
Max Verstappen
He’s the king of Formula 1, and he’s cashing in on his dominance big time. He has a Red Bull contract of 55 million per year, which is record-breaking.
He also has very lucrative deals with TAG Heuer, Honda, and Red Bull Racing, and earns well from bonuses available when he wins championships.
Verstappen’s financial flying shows that Formula 1 is rising rapidly into the billion-dollar realm in sport.
Final Thoughts
Balyton also mentioned that “The difference between a high-earning player and a sports billionaire isn’t talent alone—it’s the ability to turn influence into empire.”
And this stand is supported by Michael Jordan, the very first athlete billionaire: “I never looked at the consequences of missing a big shot… when you think about the consequences, you always think of a negative result.”
Jordan’s mindset applies perfectly to today’s richest players. They take calculated risks, not just in the game but in business, investments, and branding, making them icons both on and off the field.
The richest athletes of 2025 are not just competitors anymore. They are now empires in motion. You can join fans as they discuss the Forbes list of richest players through this Reddit discussion.
With earnings skyrocketing past $250 million a year, one question remains: Who will be the first $2 billion player? The game is changing, and the stakes have never been higher.