Meet the Athletes Cashing the Biggest Checks in Sports

Elite athletes no longer rely only on salaries to build wealth. Instead, they stack income through endorsements, investments, and personal brands. As a result, many now earn more off the field than on it.

Over time, streaming, social media, and global marketing changed the earning landscape. Because of that, athletes now reach fans directly and monetize influence year-round. In addition, shoe deals, equity stakes, and media ventures drive long-term income.

Meanwhile, several stars on this list signed record-breaking contracts. Others, however, turned championships into billion-dollar brands. In some cases, athletes expanded into ownership, production, or tech.

For this reason, total earnings now matter more than annual salary alone. This ranking, therefore, reflects accumulated wealth heading into 2026. It blends contracts, endorsements, bonuses, and business income.

Ultimately, the modern athlete operates like a CEO. While winning still matters, brand power now determines who earns the most.

Here are the athletes leading the financial race as 2026 begins…

Cristiano Ronaldo, ~$1.4 billion
Ronaldo built wealth through massive soccer contracts, global endorsements, and his CR7 brand empire.

Lionel Messi, ~$1.3 billion
Messi combined elite contracts with Adidas deals, team ownership stakes, and long-term sponsorships.

LeBron James, ~$1.2 billion
LeBron leveraged NBA earnings into media, production, endorsements, and ownership investments.

Tiger Woods, ~$1.1 billion
Woods turned dominance into historic endorsement deals and long-term brand value.

Michael Jordan, ~$3.2 billion
Jordan’s wealth exploded through Nike’s Jordan Brand and ownership success.

Stephen Curry, ~$700 million
Curry added endorsements, production deals, and equity investments to his NBA income.

Kevin Durant, ~$650 million
Durant built wealth through basketball, venture capital, and media investments.

Neymar, ~$600 million
Neymar secured massive club deals and international sponsorships.

Roger Federer, ~$550 million
Federer turned elegance and longevity into elite endorsements and ownership stakes.

Floyd Mayweather, ~$1.2 billion
Mayweather earned most of his fortune through pay-per-view boxing events.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, ~$450 million
Giannis combined NBA contracts with global brand endorsements.

Patrick Mahomes, ~$400 million
Mahomes signed a record NFL deal and added major endorsement partnerships.

Canelo Álvarez, ~$550 million
Canelo earned wealth through mega-fights and long-term boxing contracts.

Lewis Hamilton, ~$500 million
Hamilton paired racing success with fashion, music, and endorsement ventures.

Tom Brady, ~$450 million
Brady expanded earnings through broadcasting, wellness brands, and endorsements.

Rory McIlroy, ~$400 million
McIlroy earned through tournament success, endorsements, and business partnerships.

Aaron Rodgers, ~$350 million
Rodgers combined NFL contracts with endorsements and media deals.

Shohei Ohtani, ~$500 million
Ohtani’s historic contract and endorsements boosted his global earning power.

Conor McGregor, ~$600 million
McGregor turned fighting fame into liquor, apparel, and media success.

Kylian Mbappé, ~$450 million
Mbappé secured massive contracts and endorsement deals at a young age.