Top 50 Highest-Paid Athletes in the World 2026

Al-Nassr contract ($200M salary), CR7 brand empire ($60M endorsements), Nike lifetime deal. Ronaldo's 900+ career goals + Saudi Pro League move generated record fourth-time earnings title.

Under Armour lifetime extension, Warriors contract ($56M), Chase Center ownership stake. Curry's $100M endorsement revenue sets basketball record surpassing LeBron.

Oleksandr Usyk rematch purse ($140M), Malta tourism ambassador, Netflix reality show. Fury's Gypsy King brand dominates heavyweight boxing earnings.

Cowboys contract extension ($127M), Sleep Number, AT&T deals. Prescott's quarterback dominance sets new NFL earnings record.

Inter Miami ($65M salary), Adidas lifetime ($160M total), Apple MLS partnership, Saudi tourism. Messi's World Cup glow powers MLS revolution.

Nike lifetime deal ($1B value), SpringHill entertainment ($85M off-court), Lakers salary. James' 22nd season + Hollywood empire maintain dominance.

Real Madrid mega-contract ($100M), Nike global deal, EA Sports FC. Mbappé's Galáctico status powers elite soccer earnings.

Mets landmark contract ($109M salary), New Balance partnership. Soto's historic MLB deal sets baseball earning records.

Al-Hilal Saudi contract ($100M), Puma lifetime deal, fashion/tech endorsements. Neymar's commercial juggernaut spans multiple industries.

Al-Ittihad Saudi deal ($100M salary), Adidas partnership. Benzema's Ballon d'Or winner status commands Middle East premium.

Dodgers $700M megadeal ($2.5M salary), New Balance ($100M), Fanatics, Japan market. Ohtani's two-way unicorn generates unprecedented endorsements.

Fury rematch purse ($90M), undisputed champion status. Usyk's technical brilliance conquered multiple boxing divisions.

LIV Golf contract ($75M), Nike, Rolex partnerships. Rahm's Masters champion status powers golf endorsement empire.

Cowboys franchise cornerstone with massive contract. Leadership and performance secure off-field earnings growth.

Nike ($143M extension), Bucks supermax, Africa ventures. Greek Freak's 2x MVP + championship drive sponsorship appeal.

Nike KD line ($60M/year), Boardroom media ventures, Thirty Five Ventures. Durant's business savvy complements scoring excellence.

Red Bull ($55M salary), Heineken, TAG Heuer partnerships. Verstappen's 3x world champion dominance explodes F1 commercial value.

Detroit Lions mega-extension revitalized career. Goff's quarterback resurgence opened endorsement opportunities.

Chiefs $450M contract, Adidas, State Farm, Oakley deals. Mahomes' 3x Super Bowl dominance drives commercial empire.

Adidas Dame line, Bucks max contract, music career. Lillard's loyalty and clutch performances maintain top earnings.

Stadium fight purses, Under Armour, Jaguar Land Rover deals. Joshua's British boxing icon status generates massive PPV revenue.

Ferrari move ($50M), Tommy Hilfiger, IWC partnerships. Hamilton's 7x champion status + fashion empire drive earnings.

Jordan Brand ($200M+ deal), Mavericks supermax contract. Dončić's European phenom status expands global basketball market.

Bengals $275M extension, Bose, Nike partnerships. Burrow's cool demeanor and playoff success drive endorsement growth.

Nike Book 1 signature line, Suns max deal. Booker's pure scoring + Finals run elevated commercial profile.

Under Armour, 76ers supermax, MVP status. Embiid's dominant post play + personality drive Philadelphia market.

Broncos contract, Subway, Wilson Sporting Goods. Super Bowl champion maintains brand despite team struggles.

TaylorMade, Nike Golf deals, PGA loyalty bonus. McIlroy's anti-LIV stance rewarded with traditional tour support.

Jets contract, State Farm commercials, Prevea Health. Rodgers' 4x MVP + personality maintain endorsement value.

LIV Golf team ownership stake, TaylorMade partnership. Johnson's power game generates Saudi league bonuses.

LIV Golf $200M deal transformed senior career. Mickelson's gambling story maintains public interest.

Jordan Brand, Celtics supermax extension. Tatum's championship run elevated Boston market dominance.

Heat max deal, Coke Zero, Li-Ning partnership. Butler's playoff dominance + coffee business drive earnings.

New Balance Kawhi line, Clippers max contract. Leonard's quiet dominance maintains consistent earnings.

Browns $230M fully guaranteed contract. Watson's massive deal despite controversy reflects NFL QB market.

Bills $258M extension, New Era, Banana Republic partnerships. Allen's dual-threat dominance powers Buffalo market.

Suns max deal, Nike partnership. Beal's scoring prowess maintains elite NBA earnings tier.

Jordan Brand mega-deal, Pelicans max extension. Williamson's explosive athleticism drives generational hype.

ANTA signature line, Mavericks deal. Irving's elite handles + controversy maintain commercial relevance.

Jaguars $275M extension, Adidas, Gatorade partnerships. Lawrence's franchise QB status powers Jacksonville market.

Mavericks contract, ANTA Klay line, Body Armor deals. Thompson's championship pedigree maintains endorsement value.

Nike PG signature line, 76ers max deal. George's two-way excellence maintains top NBA earner status.

Eagles $255M extension, Jordan Brand partnership. Hurts' dual-threat dominance powers Philadelphia market growth.

PBC fight purses, Hennessy sponsorship. Canelo's pound-for-pound status dominates boxing PPV revenue.

Ravens $260M deal, Oakley, Nike partnerships. Jackson's 2x MVP electrifying play drives commercial appeal.

Heat max extension, Nike deal. Adebayo's defensive dominance + Finals runs maintain Miami market value.

Chargers $262M extension, Nike, Bose deals. Herbert's cannon arm powers LA quarterback market.

Prize money, Lacoste lifetime deal, Asics partnership. Djokovic's 24 Grand Slams maintain tennis GOAT earnings.

Nike mega-deal, Rolex, BMW partnerships. Alcaraz's Grand Slam wins + charisma power tennis future.

Nuggets supermax, Nike deal, Western Union partnership. Jokić's 3x MVP + championship drive Serbian market dominance.