This season, many of the world’s best athletes returned to action on soccer fields, football fields, rinks, and more. While these athletes garner media attention with remarkable performances and pivotal victories, their yearly salaries are equally impressive.
It’s no secret that the world of professional sports can be highly lucrative and profitable.
Find out who the highest-paid athletes in the world are, along with their yearly earnings.
LeBron James
Born: Ohio, United States of America
Height: 6’7″
Weight: 249 lb
Sport: Basketball
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers is the first player in NBA history to earn $1 billion while still playing. James currently earns $36.9 million in salary and $90 million in endorsements, totaling $126.9 million in annual earnings.
Tiger Woods
Born: California, United States of America
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 185 lb
Sport: Golf
Tiger Woods, regarded as one of the best and most accomplished golfers of all time, brings in $8.5 million annually. That pales compared to his endorsement earnings, which total $36 million from deals with brands such as Rolex, Nike, Bridgestone, and Monster Energy.
Stephen Curry
Born: Ohio, United States of America
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 185 lb
Sport: Basketball
Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors earns a $41.2 million salary for his MVP and championship-winning performances. The top point guard also owns stock in Under Armour and makes about $45 million annually from endorsement deals with Callaway Golf, Google, Nissan Motor, FTX, and CarMax.
Serena Williams
Born: Michigan, United States of America
Height: 5’7″
Weight: 154 lb
Sport: Tennis
Serena Williams is more than just a world-class tennis player; she’s also a media personality and celebrity. It comes as no surprise that this multi-talented star earns a substantial sum from her endorsement deals, which currently total an impressive $35 million. Her tennis earnings total only $270 thousand.
Lewis Hamilton
Born: Stevenage, United Kingdom
Height: 5’8″
Weight: 160 lb
Sport: Formula One
Lewis Hamilton is a Formula One driver competing for the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team. He earns approximately $42 million in winnings per year, with endorsements from Tommy Hilfiger, Gran Turismo Sport, Monster Energy, and Sony accounting for $12 million of his annual income. His yearly earnings total $54.2 million.
Rory McIlroy
Born: Holywood, United Kingdom
Height: 5’7″
Weight: 160 lb
Sport: Golf
Rory McIlroy, one of the world’s most famous golfers, makes more money from endorsement deals than tournaments. His deals alone are worth $28 million and include TaylorMade, NBC Golf Pass, and Nike. This Irishman has won the Majors four times but is currently on a dry spell.
Lionel Messi
Born: Rosario, Argentina
Height: 5’5″
Weight: 147 lb
Sport: Football
Lionel Messi, the Argentine footballer, plays for the Paris Saint-Germain club and earns approximately $72 million annually. Messi also has endorsements with the fan engagement app Socios, Adidas, and his retail outlet, making him roughly $122 million annually.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Born: Funchal, Portugal
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 187lb
Sport: Football
Cristiano Ronaldo, a forward for Manchester United, has won numerous awards and achieved great things in football, which helped him secure a $60 million contract. He also has deals and sponsorships with Nike, DAZN, Armani, and other companies that pay him $55 million annually. He earns $115 million in total yearly income.
Roger Federer
Born: Basel, Switzerland
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 187 lb
Sport: Tennis
Roger Federer is a Swiss professional tennis player. He dominates men’s tennis, holding the top spot for 310 weeks and winning 103 ATP singles titles. This performance earns him a salary of $724 thousand. A majority of his income comes from endorsement deals worth $85 million with luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Mercedes-Benz, and others.
Kevin Durant
Born: D.C., United States of America
Height: 6’8″
Weight: 240 lb
Sport: Basketball
Kevin Durant, the Brooklyn Nets forward, has won multiple NBA championships and MVP awards. He earns $37.9 million per year for his outstanding athletic performance. That is aside from the $48 million in endorsements he gets from companies such as Nike, Google, and Skullcandy, bringing his total annual earnings to $85.9 million.
Naomi Osaka
Born: Osaka, Japan
Height: 5’9″
Weight: 152 lb
Sport: Tennis
Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam singles champion, became the first Asian tennis player to hold the top singles ranking. Her annual winnings are $1.2 million, but Osaka earns $52 million in endorsements from Nike, Beats by Dre, Mastercard, and others. She earns $53.2 million annually.