Ranking the Most Highly Paid Athletes in Every Major Sport

Sports have become one of the most lucrative industries in the world, with athletes raking in millions of dollars annually in salaries, bonuses, sponsorships, and endorsements. While some sports like soccer and basketball have a reputation for big payouts, others like golf and tennis also pay handsomely. In this article, we’ll be ranking the most highest paid athlete in every major sport, based on their earnings from the previous year.
1. Soccer – Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi, the Argentine forward for Barcelona, tops the list of the most highly paid athletes in the world. In 2020, Messi made a whopping $126 million in total earnings, including $92 million in salary and bonuses and $34 million in endorsements. His massive contract with Barca ensures that he will remain one of the highest-paid athletes for years to come.
2. Basketball – LeBron James
Basketball superstar LeBron James is considered one of the best players in NBA history. He’s also one of the highest-paid, thanks to his $89 million in total earnings in 2020. James’ lucrative off-court deals with Nike, Beats by Dre, and other companies make up the majority of his earnings, while his salary with the Los Angeles Lakers accounts for the rest.
3. American Football – Patrick Mahomes
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes signed the biggest contract in sports history in 2020, worth $503 million over ten years. While Mahomes’ salary accounts for a decent chunk of his earnings, he also makes a significant amount from sponsorships. In 2020, he made $76 million in total.
4. Baseball – Mike Trout
Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels is one of the best players in baseball and one of the highest-paid. In 2020, Trout made $38 million in salary and another $2.5 million in endorsements. His massive 12-year, $426 million contract ensures that he will remain a top earner for years to come.
5. Golf – Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods is one of the most successful and influential golfers of all time. He’s also one of the highest-paid, making $62.3 million in total earnings in 2020. Woods’ salary and winnings make up a relatively small portion of his earnings, with the majority coming from endorsements and sponsorships from companies like Nike, Rolex, and Bridgestone.
In short:
In In short, being a professional highest paid athlete can be an incredibly lucrative career path. While salaries vary widely across different sports, the top earners in each field can make tens of millions of dollars per year. From soccer star Lionel Messi to golf legend Tiger Woods, these athletes have not only honed their physical skills but also their branding and marketing abilities. The success of these athletes serves as a reminder of the immense value that sports play in our society, both as entertainment and as a source of inspiration for aspiring athletes around the world.