Highest Paid Athletes in 2024
The latest Forbes list of the highest paid athletes shows a mix of basketball, soccer, and boxing stars dominating global earnings. The ranking is based on pretax gross income from salaries, winnings, and off-field business activities during the measurement period, with Forbes updating the figures annually using public contracts, sponsorship deals, and interviews with agents and managers Forbes athlete earnings data.
At the top of the list, a basketball forward continues to lead with massive earnings driven by a long-term NBA contract and a global shoe and apparel brand partnership, while a soccer forward from Portugal remains among the top earners thanks to a lucrative club deal and a large personal sponsorship portfolio.
Breakdown by Sport and Income Streams
Basketball and soccer players account for most of the top spots, with their on-court and on-pitch salaries supplemented by endorsement deals with major consumer brands, technology companies, and luxury watchmakers Forbes sport income breakdown.
Boxers and MMA fighters also appear in the ranking, with earnings heavily tied to fight purses and pay-per-view shares, while golf and tennis players rely more on tournament winnings and individual sponsor agreements with apparel and equipment brands.
Endorsement and Business Revenue
Top earners often build separate companies, media brands, and investment vehicles that generate licensing revenue and equity gains, with some athletes using their public profiles to launch product lines and stake early positions in emerging consumer and technology sectors.
Key Figures and Contract Context
Several athletes in the ranking have signed long-term extensions or new deals with major leagues and clubs in recent years, with contract values reflecting the growing media rights revenue shared by leagues and the increasing size of global sponsorship markets Forbes contract analysis.
Behind the headline numbers, agents and financial advisors structure deals to include guaranteed base pay, performance bonuses, equity stakes, and international appearance fees, with tax planning and asset diversification playing a major role in how athletes preserve and grow their wealth after their playing careers end.