Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes in the World 2025

Spanish golf star Jon Rahm's shock move to LIV Golf in December 2023 earned him a reported $300 million signing bonus plus annual earnings, making him the highest-paid golfer in history. His 2025 total earnings including LIV prize money and endorsements with Callaway and Rolex are estimated at $218 million.

Messi's Inter Miami contract worth $150M/year combined with his Apple TV+ streaming deal, Adidas partnership, and Pepsi, Hard Rock, and Budweiser endorsements brings his estimated 2025 earnings to $135 million. His business empire including the Mas restaurant chain and MiM Hotels continues to grow his off-pitch income.

LeBron James earned an estimated $128 million in 2025, with his Lakers salary of $51.4 million topped by his lifetime Nike deal (reportedly worth $1 billion total) generating $40M+/year. His SpringHill entertainment company, Fenway Sports Group stake, and upcoming NFL franchise investment make him the most diversified athlete-businessman alive.

Despite long-term injury absence, Neymar's Al Hilal contract at $160M/year (signed in 2023) continued paying during his ACL recovery, putting his 2025 earnings at an estimated $113 million. His Puma boot deal, Red Bull partnership, and business ventures in Brazil — including his Neymar Jr. Institute — supplement his football income substantially.

The four-time NBA champion earned $102 million in 2025 from his $51.9M Warriors salary, Under Armour signature shoe deal, and blue-chip endorsements with Palm, Chase, and Rakuten. Curry's Unanimous Media production company has generated multiple Netflix and Apple TV+ projects, further diversifying his income streams.

The Gypsy King's estimated $96 million in 2025 earnings came primarily from his two mega-fight purses against Oleksandr Usyk and a rematch clause, plus his Kronk Fury boxing platform and Top Rank promotional deals. His Netflix reality content and sponsorship with Bet365 added significantly to his annual income.

Pound-for-pound boxing king Saul "Canelo" Alvarez earned an estimated $94 million in 2025 through his DAZN and PBC fight purses plus his own Canelo Promotions business. His Hennessy, Under Armour, and Everlast endorsements, combined with Mexican hero status driving massive pay-per-view buy rates, keep him at the summit of boxing earnings.

Three-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes earned an estimated $89 million in 2025 from his 10-year, $450M Kansas City Chiefs contract ($45M/year) and endorsements with State Farm, Adidas, Oakley, and Coors Light. His equity stake in the Kansas City Royals MLB franchise makes him one of sport's savviest off-field investors.

Despite retiring from professional tennis in 2022, Federer's On Running equity stake (worth $300M+), Uniqlo deal ($30M/year through 2030), Rolex, Credit Suisse, and Moet & Chandon partnerships generated an estimated $80 million in 2025. His tennis academy and philanthropic foundation further cement his status as sport's most bankable retired athlete.

Spanish golf star Jon Rahm's shock move to LIV Golf in December 2023 earned him a reported $300 million signing bonus plus annual earnings, making him the highest-paid golfer in history. His 2025 total earnings including LIV prize money and endorsements with Callaway and Rolex are estimated at $218 million.

Messi's Inter Miami contract worth $150M/year combined with his Apple TV+ streaming deal, Adidas partnership, and Pepsi, Hard Rock, and Budweiser endorsements brings his estimated 2025 earnings to $135 million. His business empire including the Mas restaurant chain and MiM Hotels continues to grow his off-pitch income.

LeBron James earned an estimated $128 million in 2025, with his Lakers salary of $51.4 million topped by his lifetime Nike deal (reportedly worth $1 billion total) generating $40M+/year. His SpringHill entertainment company, Fenway Sports Group stake, and upcoming NFL franchise investment make him the most diversified athlete-businessman alive.

Despite long-term injury absence, Neymar's Al Hilal contract at $160M/year (signed in 2023) continued paying during his ACL recovery, putting his 2025 earnings at an estimated $113 million. His Puma boot deal, Red Bull partnership, and business ventures in Brazil — including his Neymar Jr. Institute — supplement his football income substantially.

The four-time NBA champion earned $102 million in 2025 from his $51.9M Warriors salary, Under Armour signature shoe deal, and blue-chip endorsements with Palm, Chase, and Rakuten. Curry's Unanimous Media production company has generated multiple Netflix and Apple TV+ projects, further diversifying his income streams.

The Gypsy King's estimated $96 million in 2025 earnings came primarily from his two mega-fight purses against Oleksandr Usyk and a rematch clause, plus his Kronk Fury boxing platform and Top Rank promotional deals. His Netflix reality content and sponsorship with Bet365 added significantly to his annual income.

Pound-for-pound boxing king Saul "Canelo" Alvarez earned an estimated $94 million in 2025 through his DAZN and PBC fight purses plus his own Canelo Promotions business. His Hennessy, Under Armour, and Everlast endorsements, combined with Mexican hero status driving massive pay-per-view buy rates, keep him at the summit of boxing earnings.

Three-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes earned an estimated $89 million in 2025 from his 10-year, $450M Kansas City Chiefs contract ($45M/year) and endorsements with State Farm, Adidas, Oakley, and Coors Light. His equity stake in the Kansas City Royals MLB franchise makes him one of sport's savviest off-field investors.

Despite retiring from professional tennis in 2022, Federer's On Running equity stake (worth $300M+), Uniqlo deal ($30M/year through 2030), Rolex, Credit Suisse, and Moet & Chandon partnerships generated an estimated $80 million in 2025. His tennis academy and philanthropic foundation further cement his status as sport's most bankable retired athlete.