Sports are so cool to watch! Did you know some athletes make a ton of money? The highest-paid athletes in 2025 earn millions of dollars. They get paid for playing their sport and doing ads for big companies. Let’s check out the top 10 highest-paid athletes this year. You’ll be amazed at how much they make!
Why Top-Earning Athletes Earn Millions
Sports are so cool to watch! Did you know some athletes make a ton of money? In fact, the richest sports stars in 2025 earn millions of dollars. They get paid not only for playing their sport but also for doing ads for big companies. Moreover, their fame allows them to earn even more. Let’s check out the top highest-paid athletes this year. You’ll be amazed at how much they make!
Why Top-Earning Athletes Are So Rich
The richest sports icons don’t just make money from games. Additionally, they sign huge deals with their teams. They also do commercials for brands like Nike or Pepsi. Some even start their own businesses! As a result, being super famous helps them earn more. Fans love them, and companies want them to sell products. That’s why top-paid sports legends have so much cash.
Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes of 2025
Here’s the list of the top highest-paid athletes in 2025. We’ll discuss who they are, what they earn, and why they’re so popular.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo – Wealthiest Soccer Legend Among Top-Earning Athletes
Cristiano Ronaldo is a soccer superstar. He plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. In 2025, he made $275 million! His team pays him $225 million, and he also earns $50 million from ads with Nike and others. Ronaldo is 40 but still scores tons of goals. Moreover, his YouTube channel has millions of fans!
2. Stephen Curry – Highest-Earning Basketball Star Among Richest Sports Stars
Stephen Curry is the king of three-point shots. He plays for the Golden State Warriors. He earned $156 million this year. While his team gives him $56 million, he makes $100 million from brands like Under Armour. Therefore, Curry’s amazing shots make him a top-earning sports star.
3. Tyson Fury – Richest Boxing Icon Among Top-Paid Sports Legends
Tyson Fury is a boxing champ called the Gypsy King. He made $146 million in 2025. Most of it, $140 million, came from big fights. Additionally, he earns from a Netflix show and ads. Even after a loss, Fury’s fun personality keeps him among the wealthiest athletes.
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4. Dak Prescott – Top-Paid Football Quarterback Among Highest-Earning Sports Icons
Dak Prescott is a quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. He earned $137 million this year. His team contract is huge, paying $127 million. He also gets $10 million from brands like Jordan. As a result, Prescott is great at football and invests in restaurants, making him one of the richest sports icons.
5. Lionel Messi – Highest-Earning Soccer Wizard Among Top-Paid Athletes
Lionel Messi plays soccer for Inter Miami. He made $135 million in 2025. His salary is $60 million, and he earns $75 million from ads with Adidas and Apple. In fact, Messi’s skills are like magic. He’s a top-earning sports star making soccer big in the USA!
6. LeBron James – Most Prosperous Basketball Legend Among Richest Sports Stars
LeBron James is a basketball star for the Los Angeles Lakers. At 40, he made $133.8 million. His team pays $48.8 million, and he earns $85 million from endorsements. Moreover, LeBron also owns a movie company. He’s one of the highest-paid athletes ever!
7. Juan Soto – Wealthiest Baseball Pro Among Top-Paid Sports Legends
Juan Soto plays baseball for the New York Mets. He earned $114 million in 2025. His Mets contract is worth $765 million over 15 years! Additionally, he makes money from ads with brands like Celsius. Soto’s skills make him a rising sports icon.
8. Karim Benzema – High-Earning Soccer Striker Among Top-Paid Athletes
Karim Benzema plays for Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia. He earned $104 million this year. His salary is $100 million, with $4 million from ads. Benzema used to play for Real Madrid and won many awards. Therefore, he’s a big name among the highest-paid athletes.
9. Shohei Ohtani – Top-Paid Baseball Phenom Among Highest-Earning Sports Icons
Shohei Ohtani is a unique baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He pitches and hits! He made $102.5 million in 2025. Most of it, $100 million, comes from brands like New Balance. His team contract is deferred, so he earns less from it now, but he’s still a top-earning sports star.
10. Kevin Durant – Highest-Earning Basketball Veteran Among Richest Sports Stars
Kevin Durant plays for the Phoenix Suns. He earned $101.4 million this year. His salary is $51.4 million, and he makes $50 million from ads with Nike and others. As a result, Durant is a superstar among the most prosperous sports figures!
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How Do Top-Paid Sports Legends Make Millions?
These top-paid sports legends are like celebrities! Companies pay them to wear their shoes or promote their drinks. Some, like LeBron and Ronaldo, start their own companies. Additionally, they sign huge team contracts. For example, Juan Soto’s Mets deal is the biggest in baseball history!
Why Are the Richest Sports Stars Important?
The top-earning athletes show how sports can be a big business. They work hard to be the best. Moreover, their fame helps them earn extra money. It’s inspiring to see how they turn their skills into cash. Maybe it encourages kids to practice their favorite sport!
Fun Facts About Top-Paid Athletes
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Ronaldo has nearly a billion social media followers!
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Curry was the first NBA player to hit 4,000 three-pointers.
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Fury stars in a Netflix show about his family.
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Prescott owns part of a fitness gym chain.
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Messi has a special camera for him in MLS games!
Conclusion: Top-Paid Athletes of 2025 Inspire Fans Worldwide
The highest-paid athletes of 2025 are super talented and super rich! From Cristiano Ronaldo’s huge soccer salary to Kevin Durant’s smart business moves, they show how sports and fame go together. Additionally, these top-paid sports legends inspire us to dream big. Whether it’s scoring goals or signing big deals, the highest-paid athletes prove hard work pays off. If you want to learn more about your favorite stars, check out more sports news on our site!