Average Salary Comparison
Professional soccer players in top leagues earn a median salary of roughly 3.5 million USD per year, with the average in the English Premier League reaching about 4 million USD, according to recent club financial reports and player contract disclosures on sites like Forbes and Sportico. In contrast, the average NFL player earns about 2.7 million USD per season, with the median salary around 1.1 million USD, based on the latest league-wide salary data and team salary cap filings.
The gap widens when looking at top earners, as the highest-paid soccer players in leagues such as the Saudi Pro League and MLS now command annual packages exceeding 200 million USD, while the highest-paid NFL players earn around 55 million USD per season in total compensation, according to contracts and league filings reported by ESPN and Spotrac.
Top Earners and Contracts
In soccer, Cristiano Ronaldo's reported annual salary with Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League is around 200 million USD, making him the highest-paid athlete in the sport, with the contract details widely covered by Forbes and other sports business outlets. Lionel Messi's move to Inter Miami in MLS brought a reported annual salary of about 60 million USD plus a large ownership stake, with the deal analyzed by ESPN and Sportico.
In the NFL, Patrick Mahomes signed a 10-year extension worth up to 450 million USD, the largest contract in league history, with average annual value and guaranteed money detailed in team filings and reports by ESPN and Spotrac. Josh Allen and Joe Burrow also signed long-term deals exceeding 250 million USD, while the highest-paid NFL players in base salary earn around 55 million USD per season, with total compensation including bonuses and incentives.
Revenue and Earnings Drivers
Global Soccer Revenue
Top soccer leagues generate over 10 billion USD in annual revenue from broadcasting, sponsorships, and match-day income, with the English Premier League alone earning roughly 12 billion USD over a three-year domestic media deal reported by Deloitte and Sportico. This revenue supports high player wages through salary caps, collective bargaining agreements, and individual contract structures.
NFL Revenue and Player Pay
The NFL generates around 20 billion USD in annual revenue from media rights, sponsorships, and licensing, with the league distributing a defined share to players under the collective bargaining agreement, as detailed in league filings and reports by ESPN and Spotrac. NFL player salaries are structured around base pay, bonuses, and per-game roster bonuses, while soccer players often receive guaranteed wages, image rights, and commercial bonuses tied to individual and team performance.