World’s Top 10 Highest Paid Athletes In 2024

With top level athletes being compensated more than ever in the modern-day sporting world, we at SportsCasting are taking a look at the world’s top 10 highest paid athletes in 2024.

World’s Top 10 Highest Paid Athletes In 2024

10. Lamar Jackson (American Football) – $100.5 million

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson sneaks into SportsCasting‘s top 10 highest paid athletes list, with Forbes estimating that the 27-year-old has earned $100.5 million over the last 12 months.

$98.5 million of this figure is believed to be from on-the-field earnings, $72.5 million of which came as a signing bonus for penning a new contract with the Ravens last year – a deal that he successfully negotiated as his own agent, while $2 million comes as off-the-field earnings.

9. Stephen Curry (Basketball) – $102 million

Golden State Warriors pointguard Stephen Curry is the ninth-highest paid athlete of 2024, earning a stunning $102 million thanks to his exploits both on and off the basketball court.

Still leading by example in the NBA at the age of 36, Curry remains one of the league’s top stars and is currently away with Team USA as they prepare for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.

Of the $102 million reportedly earned over the last 12 months, $52 million has been earned on the court, while $50 million has been earned off the court. The latter includes Curry’s new bumper-deal signed with Under Armour last year, which is set to run well into his retirement years.

8. Karim Benzema (Football) – $106 million

Former Real Madrid and France striker Karim Benzema comes in at eighth place on the list, with his transfer to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad contributing to him earning an impressive $106 million this year.

Benzema, a former Ballon d’Or winner, recorded 13 goals and eight assists during his maiden campaign with the Middle Eastern side as they finished fifth in the league table, however he spent large chunks of the campaign sidelined through injury.

Forbes estimate that $100 million of his total earnings this year came via on-the-field earnings, along with $6 million in off-the-field earnings from endorsements with the likes of Adidas, EA Sports and more, as well as from his business ventures.

7. Neymar (Football) – $108 million

Another Saudi Pro League football star is in seventh place, and this time it’s ex-Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain winger Neymar, who has reportedly earned $108 million over the last 12 months.

The Brazil international joined Al-Hilal last summer, but after just five games across all competitions for his new club, he suffered a harrowing ACL injury in a World Cup qualifying match whilst he was away on international duty.

Despite not being able to showcase his talent on the field, he has continued to rake in millions, with $80 million of the $108 million coming from his playing contract, and $28 million from his off-field activities according to Forbes.

6. Kylian Mbappe (Football) – $110 million

France captain and new Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe is up next, having earned a reported $110 million in the last year, with this figure only set to increase once his Los Blancos career is well and truly underway.

Mbappe had been linked with a move to the Spanish capital for several years, and after an incredible six-year spell with PSG, the 25-year-old has finally secured his dream transfer.

Most recently featuring at the 2024 UEFA European Championship, in which his France side were eliminated by eventual winners Spain in the semi-final, $90 million of Mbappe’s fortune over the last year has come from on-field activities, while a reported $20 million has been earned away from the field of play.

5. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Basketball) – $111 million

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is the fifth highest paid athlete of 2024 after earning a staggering $111 million over the last 12 months, per Forbes.

The 29-year-old, who is currently away with the Greece National Team ahead of the Summer Olympics in Paris, missed a large chunk of the NBA regular season, as well as the entirety of the 2024 playoffs due to a calf injury, as his side were eliminated in the first round.

It is claimed that $46 million of his earnings this year have come through on-court earnings, while $65 million has come away from the basketball court. Antetokounmpo launched a production company earlier in the year, partnered up with Pepsi to be the face of their Starry soda, and will be releasing his sixth signature shoe with Nike in the coming months.

4. LeBron James (Basketball) – $128.2 million

Forbes claimed back in May 2023 that LeBron James is the first active NBA player to become a billionaire, and he has since continued to rake in the cash, as he is rated fourth in the 2024 list of the highest earning athletes worldwide.

Like Curry, James is currently away with Team USA for what is likely to be his last ever Summer Olympics, where he’ll be eyeing a third Olympic gold medal after his LA Lakers side were eliminated in the first round of the NBA playoffs against the Denver Nuggets back in April.

Forbes estimate that $48.2 million of his $128.2 million earnings this year came through on-court activities, and that $80 million has been earned off the court. James has had countless elite endorsement contracts over the years, including; Audemars Piguet, Beats by Dre, Coca-Cola, Kia, AT&T, Intel, PepsiCo, Taco Bell, Dunkin’ Brands, McDonald’s, and Nike.

Not only has James made plenty of cash from sponsorship deals throughout his career, but he is also a multi-business owner. A Fenway Sports Group partner, he is a part-owner of the Boston Red Sox, New England Sports Network, RFK Racing, and Liverpool F.C. He is also a part owner of Italian football club A.C. Milan, alongside Drake, and is also a part owner of the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins.

3. Lionel Messi (Football) – $135 million

Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi is the third highest earning sportsperson in 2024, with his historic move to MLS side Inter Miami contributing to him earning $135 million in the last year.

A World Cup winner in 2022, Messi ended his two-year association with Paris Saint-Germain by moving stateside in the summer of 2023. The move reportedly saw him earn a base salary of $12 million, with guaranteed compensation for the season totaling $20.4 million. Not only that, but Messi also earns additional shares from jersey sales, MLS Season Pass subscriptions, and owns a stake in his Inter Miami side.

Of the $135 million total this year, it is estimated that Messi has earned $65 million thanks to on-field activities, and $70 million due to off-field activities. The Argentine has numerous brand endorsements on the go, Adidas being the most lucrative, with his other partners including Budweiser, Pepsi, Mastercard, Saudi Arabia tourism, Konami, and the most recent addition; Lowe’s.

2. Jon Rahm (Golf) – $218 million

Despite initially rubbishing claims that he’d join LIV Golf, Jon Rahm joined the Saudi financed tour in December 2023, a decision that drew accusations of hypocrisy from many fans and members of the media, but it has ultimately been a decision that has proved incredibly lucrative for the Spaniard.

Earning a whopping $218 million in the last year, according to Forbes, Rahm is the second highest earning athlete in 2024, with $198 million of that fortune being earned on the golf course, while $20 million has come from other avenues away from the course. Rahm’s endorsement deals include Callaway Golf, Mercedes-Benz, Rolex, and Santander Group.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Football) – $260 million

Coming in at number one in the list of the highest paid athletes in 2024, a surprise to no one who is aware of his situation, is Portugal international footballer and Al-Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo, with an estimated $260 million in earnings over the past 12 months.

Ronaldo completed his move to the up-and-coming Middle Eastern league at the end of 2022, following the termination of his Manchester United contract, penning a deal that sees him earn the highest football salary ever, at $200 million per year.

The remaining $60 million is said to be earned through off-the-field activities, including the star’s many endorsement deals and business ventures. His main sponsorship is, of course, Nike, with whom he has a lifetime contract, but he is also partnered with Armani, Tag Heuer, Kickoff, Herbalife, Livescore, Clear, Binance, PokerStars and Castrol. As well as this, his businesses include the CR7 brand, and a range of hotels located in Lisbon, New York, Marrakech, and Madrid.