2025 Top 10 Athlete Earnings Ranking
The business of sports reached new heights in 2025. From the staggering oil-backed contracts in Saudi Arabia to the massive media and endorsement deals in the US, the world’s elite athletes are earning more than ever before. For the first time in history, every single athlete in the Top 10 has surpassed the $100 million annual earnings mark.
Here is the definitive ranking of the Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes of 2025.
🏆 The 2025 Top 10 Athlete Earnings Ranking
| Rank | Name | Sport | Nationality | Total Earnings (USD) |
| 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Soccer | Portugal | $275.0 Million |
| 2 | Stephen Curry | Basketball | USA | $156.0 Million |
| 3 | Tyson Fury | Boxing | UK | $146.0 Million |
| 4 | Dak Prescott | Am. Football | USA | $137.0 Million |
| 5 | Lionel Messi | Soccer | Argentina | $135.0 Million |
| 6 | LeBron James | Basketball | USA | $133.8 Million |
| 7 | Juan Soto | Baseball | Dominican Rep. | $114.0 Million |
| 8 | Karim Benzema | Soccer | France | $104.0 Million |
| 9 | Shohei Ohtani | Baseball | Japan | $102.5 Million |
| 10 | Kevin Durant | Basketball | USA | $101.4 Million |
🔍 Industry Insights: Why the Numbers Are Exploding
1. The “Saudi Effect” Continues
Cristiano Ronaldo remains at the top for the third consecutive year. His massive contract with Al-Nassr, combined with his status as the most followed person on social media (nearing 1 billion followers), makes him a commercial juggernaut. Fellow soccer star Karim Benzema also owes his Top 10 spot to the high-paying Saudi Pro League.
2. Basketball’s Marketing Powerhouse
The NBA remains the most consistent league for generating off-court wealth. Stephen Curry and LeBron James earn nearly as much (or more) from endorsements with brands like Nike and Under Armour as they do from their team salaries.
3. Baseball’s New Era: Ohtani & Soto
2025 marks a rare year where two MLB stars make the Top 10. Shohei Ohtani is an anomaly—while his Dodgers salary is heavily deferred (he only took $2M in cash salary this year), his $100M+ endorsement portfolio in Japan and the US keeps him at the top. Juan Soto enters the list following his record-breaking contract negotiations.
4. The NFL Quarterback Premium
Dak Prescott represents the soaring value of NFL quarterbacks. Huge signing bonuses and contract extensions often catapult NFL stars into the Top 10 for a single year, even with fewer global endorsements than soccer players.
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