Top Highest Paid Sport Stars and Their 2024 Earnings
The highest paid sport stars in 2024 include Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and LeBron James, with Forbes and Sportico reporting annual incomes above $250 million for Ronaldo, driven by massive salary and endorsement deals. Cristiano Ronaldo remains the top earning athlete, with his salary at Al Nassr and off field business ventures pushing his total income to record levels, as detailed by Forbes and Sportico.
Lionel Messi and LeBron James rank among the top three, with Messi earning significant income from his move to MLS club Inter Miami and James earning from his Lakers contract and business investments. These athletes lead the list of highest paid sport stars because of large guaranteed contracts and diversified income streams, according to Forbes and Sportico.
Highest Paid Sport Stars by Sport and League
In soccer, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi top the list of highest paid sport stars, with Ronaldo earning over $250 million and Messi earning over $130 million in 2024 from club salary and global endorsements. In basketball, LeBron James remains the highest paid player, earning over $120 million, with his Lakers contract and business ventures contributing to his position among the top earners, as reported by Forbes and Sportico.
In American football, the highest paid sport stars include Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow, with Mahomes signing a record extension with the Kansas City Chiefs that makes him one of the top earners in the NFL. In baseball, Shohei Ohtani leads the highest paid sport stars with a historic contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, combining pitching and hitting performance with massive guaranteed earnings, as reported by Forbes and Sportico.
How the Highest Paid Sport Stars Earn Their Income
The highest paid sport stars earn income from guaranteed salaries, performance bonuses, and equity stakes in sports teams and leagues, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi receiving large guaranteed payments from their clubs. LeBron James and Patrick Mahomes also earn from player equity and profit sharing arrangements, which add significant value beyond their base salaries, as explained by Forbes and Sportico.
Endorsements and business ventures are a major part of the income for the highest paid sport stars, with Cristiano Ronaldo and LeBron James earning hundreds of millions from brands like Nike, Herbalife, and Blaze Pizza. Off field investments in media companies, fashion, and technology also contribute to their earnings, with details on contracts and deals available through Forbes and Sportico.