50 athletes from eight different sports and 15 nationalities have achieved remarkable earnings over the past year. The world's highest-paid athletes collectively earned nearly $3.5 billion, marking a significant 16% increase compared to the previous record-breaking year of 2022.
The standout figure is Cristiano Ronaldo, who secured the top spot with a 12-month total of $136 million. This not only sets a new record for soccer players, surpassing Lionel Messi's earnings of the past two years, but also makes Ronaldo one of only four athletes ever to earn an estimated $90 million off the field. The other three athletes to achieve this feat are Roger Federer, Tiger Woods, and Conor McGregor.
In terms of total earnings over the past decade, the top 50 athletes amassed $1.08 billion from endorsements and other business ventures, surpassing last year's record of $1.06 billion. Additionally, their on-field earnings reached a record-breaking $2.36 billion, a remarkable 24% increase from the previous year. This surge in revenue can be attributed to the rising value of media rights deals in leagues such as the NBA and NFL, as well as the generous bonuses offered by LIV Golf to attract top golfers from the PGA Tour.
The threshold to rank among the top 50 athletes reached an all-time high of $45.2 million, set by Tom Brady upon his retirement. This figure doubled the cutoff from 2014, reflecting the significant growth in athlete earnings. Furthermore, there is notable turnover on the list, with 17 athletes appearing for the first time this year, including prominent names like Cameron Smith, Brooks Koepka, Kyler Murray, Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, and Luka Doncic.
The list encompasses eight sports, with the NBA leading the way with 15 athletes, followed by golf with 12 representatives. Football, soccer, boxing, Formula 1 auto racing, tennis, and baseball are also represented, while sports such as cricket, hockey, and NASCAR did not have athletes featured on the list.
The athletes' ages span a wide range, with the youngest athlete being 22-year-old Erling Haaland and the oldest being 52-year-old Phil Mickelson. The average age across the list is 33, with 16 athletes under 30. Notably, Serena Williams is the only woman to rank among the top 50 earners, with a 12-month total of $45.3 million.
Eight athletes crossed the $100 million mark in total earnings, a notable achievement. Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, LeBron James, Canelo Álvarez, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, and Stephen Curry achieved this milestone, marking the highest number of athletes to do so in the list's history.
Tiger Woods, who had previously held the title of the world's highest-paid golfer for five consecutive years, has been surpassed by Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, and Rory McIlroy on this year's list. Nevertheless, Woods still earned $75.1 million, mainly from endorsements and business endeavors.
Roger Federer's on-field earnings were the lowest among the top 50, totaling $125,000, as his competitive events were limited. However, his off-field earnings, primarily from endorsements, reached an impressive $95 million.
Lastly, Russell Westbrook, the Los Angeles Clippers point guard, earned $82.1 million over the past year and is focused on building a business empire alongside his NBA career, with an estimated net worth of $375 million.
The world's highest-paid athletes have achieved extraordinary earnings, showcasing the growing financial rewards within the sports industry.
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