Top 10 Highest Paid Athletes in 2025: Record-Breaking Earnings in Sports
The top 10 highest paid athletes in 2025 have redefined financial success in sports, collectively earning a staggering $1.35 billion, driven by mega-contracts, endorsements, and global influence. From Cristiano Ronaldo’s unprecedented $285 million haul to Jared Goff’s NFL-driven $85.6 million, these stars dominate soccer, basketball, golf, and football.
Forbes’ 2025 rankings reveal a 24% earnings surge from 2023, fueled by Saudi investments and lucrative sponsorships. This article counts down the top 10 highest paid athletes in 2025, showcasing their on-field salaries, off-field ventures, and the sports shaping their fortunes. Dive into the world of athletic wealth and discover who’s leading the pack!
Why Athletes’ Earnings Are Skyrocketing in 2025
The sports industry’s financial boom, as noted by Forbes and Sportico, stems from exploding media rights, Middle Eastern investments (e.g., Saudi Arabia’s LIV Golf and Pro League), and endorsement deals with brands like Nike and Adidas. In 2025, the top 10 highest paid athletes earned over $100 million each, a historic milestone, with soccer leading due to massive contracts and global marketability. However, the absence of women in the top 100, with Coco Gauff’s $30.4 million falling short, highlights a persistent gender pay gap, per Sportico. Let’s explore the top 10 highest paid athletes in 2025 and their record-breaking earnings.
Top 10 Highest Paid Athletes in 2025: Earnings Table
| Rank | Athlete | Total Earnings | On-Field Earnings | Off-Field Earnings | Sport | Team/Club | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | $285M | $220M | $65M | Soccer | Al-Nassr | Portugal |
| 2 | Stephen Curry | $156M | $56M | $100M | Basketball | Golden State Warriors | USA |
| 3 | Tyson Fury | $146M | $126M | $20M | Boxing | N/A | UK |
| 4 | Dak Prescott | $137M | $119M | $18M | Football | Dallas Cowboys | USA |
| 5 | Lionel Messi | $135M | $60M | $75M | Soccer | Inter Miami | Argentina |
| 6 | LeBron James | $133.8M | $48.8M | $85M | Basketball | Los Angeles Lakers | USA |
| 7 | Juan Soto | $114M | $109M | $5M | Baseball | New York Yankees | Dominican Republic |
| 8 | Karim Benzema | $104M | $98M | $6M | Soccer | Al-Ittihad | France |
| 9 | Kylian Mbappé | $103.8M | $83.8M | $20M | Soccer | Real Madrid | France |
| 10 | Jared Goff | $85.6M | $80.6M | $5M | Football | Detroit Lions | USA |
10. Jared Goff
- Total Earnings: $85.6M ($80.6M on-field, $5M off-field)
- Sport: Football
- Team: Detroit Lions
- Key Features:
- NFL Star: Signed a $212M contract with the Lions, earning $53M annually, per Investopedia.
- Endorsements: Deals with Netflix, Ford, and his JG16 clothing line add to his wealth.
- Breakout Year: Led the Lions to playoff contention, boosting his marketability.
Jared Goff secures the 10th spot among the top 10 highest paid athletes in 2025, showcasing the NFL’s lucrative contracts.
9. Kylian Mbappé
- Total Earnings: $103.8M ($83.8M on-field, $20M off-field)
- Sport: Soccer
- Team: Real Madrid
- Key Features:
- Real Madrid Move: Joined from PSG in 2024, earning $70M in salary, per Forbes India.
- Endorsements: Partners with Nike, Hublot, and his NBA-linked production company.
- Young Star: At 26, the youngest in the top 10, per Sportico.
Kylian Mbappé European soccer dominance lands him among the top 10 highest paid athletes in 2025.
8. Karim Benzema
- Total Earnings: $104M ($98M on-field, $6M off-field)
- Sport: Soccer
- Team: Al-Ittihad
- Key Features:
- Saudi Contract: Signed a three-year deal with Al-Ittihad, earning $98M on-field, per Forbes India.
- Endorsements: Deals with EA Sports, Adidas, and Hyundai.
- Ballon d’Or Winner: Leveraged his Real Madrid legacy for Saudi riches.
Karim Benzema Saudi move cements his place in the top 10 highest paid athletes in 2025.
7. Juan Soto
- Total Earnings: $114M ($109M on-field, $5M off-field)
- Sport: Baseball
- Team: New York Yankees
- Key Features:
- Mega Contract: Signed a massive MLB deal, averaging $70M annually, per Forbes.
- Rising Star: Known for clutch performances, boosting his marketability.
- Endorsements: Limited but growing with brands like Nike.
Juan Soto MLB dominance earns him a spot among the top 10 highest paid athletes in 2025.
6. LeBron James
- Total Earnings: $133.8M ($48.8M on-field, $85M off-field)
- Sport: Basketball
- Team: Los Angeles Lakers
- Key Features:
- NBA Icon: Signed a $97M extension, earning $48.8M on-field, per Investopedia.
- Endorsement King: $85M from PepsiCo, Nike, and Beats, per Business Insider.
- Billionaire Status: First active NBA player to reach $1B net worth.
LeBron James on- and off-court empire secures his place in the top 10 highest paid athletes in 2025.
5. Lionel Messi
- Total Earnings: $135M ($60M on-field, $75M off-field)
- Sport: Soccer
- Team: Inter Miami
- Key Features:
- MLS Impact: Earns $60M from Inter Miami, including equity, per Sportico.
- Sponsorships: $75M from Adidas, Apple, and Konami, per Forbes India.
- Global Icon: Boosted Inter Miami’s valuation to $1B.
Lionel Messi MLS move and endorsements make him a top 10 highest paid athlete in 2025.
4. Dak Prescott
- Total Earnings: $137M ($119M on-field, $18M off-field)
- Sport: Football
- Team: Dallas Cowboys
- Key Features:
- NFL Record: Signed a $240M extension with an $80M signing bonus, per Forbes.
- Endorsements: $18M from Nike’s Jordan Brand, Lowe’s, and Crunch Fitness.
- Salary Quirk: Restructured contract paid two seasons in one year.
Dak Prescott massive NFL deal lands him among the top 10 highest paid athletes in 2025.
3. Tyson Fury
- Total Earnings: $146M ($126M on-field, $20M off-field)
- Sport: Boxing
- Team: N/A
- Key Features:
- Saudi Fights: Earned $126M from two Riyadh bouts against Usyk, per Forbes.
- Endorsements: $20M from sponsorships and media ventures.
- Heavyweight Star: Global appeal drives his massive payouts.
Tyson Fury boxing dominance earns him a spot in the top 10 highest paid athletes in 2025.
2. Stephen Curry
- Total Earnings: $156M ($56M on-field, $100M off-field)
- Sport: Basketball
- Team: Golden State Warriors
- Key Features:
- NBA Leader: $215M extension yields $56M annually, per Hudson Reporter.
- Endorsement Giant: $100M from Under Armour and media projects, per Sportico.
- Olympic Glory: Paris 2024 gold boosted his marketability.
Stephen Curry on-court brilliance and off-field empire make him a top 10 highest paid athlete in 2025.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
- Total Earnings: $285M ($220M on-field, $65M off-field)
- Sport: Soccer
- Team: Al-Nassr
- Key Features:
- Global Leader: Earns $220M from Al-Nassr, per Forbes, with a $200M annual salary.
- Endorsements: $65M from Nike, Binance, and CR7 brand, per Forbes India.
- Historic Mark: First team sport athlete to earn $1B, per Business Insider.
Cristiano Ronaldo reigns as the top highest paid athlete in 2025, setting a new earnings benchmark.
The Future of Athlete Earnings
In 2025, Saudi investments, like LIV Golf and the Saudi Pro League, have supercharged earnings, with four of the top 10 highest paid athletes (Ronaldo, Messi, Benzema, Fury) tied to the kingdom, per Forbes. Soccer dominates with five entries, followed by basketball, football, boxing, and baseball. The gender pay gap persists, with no women in the top 100, as Coco Gauff’s $30.4 million falls short of the $37.5M cutoff, per Sportico. As media rights and sponsorships grow, 2026 could see even higher earnings for the top 10 highest paid athletes.
External Link: Learn more about athlete earnings at Forbes.
The top 10 highest paid athletes in 2025, from Cristiano Ronaldo to Jared Goff, showcase the financial power of sports, driven by massive contracts and global brands. Their $1.35 billion combined haul marks a historic year, per Forbes. Check the table for their earnings breakdown! Who’s your favorite athlete? Share in the comments and join the conversation
