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30. Anthony Joshua -

British boxing titan Anthony Joshua, renowned for reclaiming heavyweight titles, earned $60 million in 2024. His earnings were significantly bolstered by a high-profile match against Francis Ngannou, which contributed substantially to his income.

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29. Yoshinobu Yamamoto -

Japanese baseball pitching prodigy Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers since 2023, and he earned a whopping $61 million from his salary and endorsements last year.

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28. Tiger Woods -

Golf legend Tiger Woods, despite recent challenges, remains a prominent figure in the sport. In 2024, he earned $62.1 million, with a significant portion stemming from endorsements.

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27. Kirk Cousins -

Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins joined the Atlanta Falcons in 2024, signing a four-year deal that ultimately earns him $65 million. His leadership and experience were pivotal in revitalizing the team's offense.

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26. Damian Lillard -

American basketball player Damian Lillard was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2023, where he continued to showcase his scoring prowess. His on-court performances and endorsement deals brought his total earnings to $65.8 million in 2024.

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25. Justin Herbert -

Los Angeles football quarterback Justin Herbert received $67.6 million in 2024, which is a reflection of his rising stardom. His impressive playmaking abilities have made him a cornerstone for the American football franchise.

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24. Lewis Hamilton -

Formula 1 maestro Lewis Hamilton, driving for Mercedes-AMG Petronas, remains a dominant force on the circuit. In 2024, his on-track victories and lucrative endorsements amassed him earnings that reached $69 million.

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23. Erling Haaland -

Norwegian footballer Erling Haaland has been part of the Manchester City team since 2022 and has led them to multiple titles. His on-field success and growing endorsement portfolio in 2024 have added $70 million to his bank account.

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22. Joe Burrow -

Quarterback Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals signed a five-year extension with the team in 2024. His leadership and performance have been instrumental in the Bengals' recent successes, and the player managed to earn $70.7 million in the past year.

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21. Shohei Ohtani -

In December 2023, two-way baseball sensation Shohei Ohtani made headlines by signing a record-breaking 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. His unparalleled pitching and hitting abilities have captivated baseball fans worldwide, and have also earned him $72.5 million.

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20. Canelo Álvarez -

Mexican boxing champion Canelo Álvarez continued to dominate the super middleweight division in 2024. His earnings reached $73 million, bolstered by a lucrative four-fight deal that showcased his enduring appeal in the boxing world.

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19. Patrick Mahomes -

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, renowned for his exceptional playmaking, earned $73.1 million in 2024. His income comprises his NFL salary and a plethora of endorsements that truly reflect his superstar status in American football.

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18. Max Verstappen -

Dutch Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen, driving for Red Bull Racing, clinched his third consecutive World Championship in 2024. His on-track success and sponsorship deals significantly boosted his earnings by $76 million, and he has solidified his place among the top athletes globally.

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17. Rory McIlroy -

Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy enjoyed a successful 2024 season, securing multiple tournament victories. His on-course winnings, combined with substantial endorsement deals, earned him $79.8 million.

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16. Jordan Love -

Despite only starting his professional American football career in 2020, quarterback Jordan Love has showcased promising talent. His performance in 2024, playing for the Green Bay Packers, earned him an astonishing $81.6 million.

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15. Jared Goff -

The quarterback of the Detroit Lions, Jared Goff, led the team to a playoff berth in 2024. His earnings for the year reached $85.8 million, which can be attributed to his leadership and consistent performance on the field.

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14. Kevin Durant -

NBA superstar Kevin Durant continues to excel, especially after receiving a gold medal at the 2024 Olympics. His scoring ability and veteran leadership are instrumental in the team's performance, while almost half of his $93.1 million earnings last year came from endorsements.

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13. Giannis Antetokounmpo -

Greek-Nigerian basketball player Giannis Antetokounmpo truly remains a dominant force in the NBA. His on-court excellence and global endorsements contributed to his significant earnings, amounting to $97.8 million in the last year.

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12. Dak Prescott -

Dak’s $100.4 million earnings make him the richest quarterback of 2024. The Dallas Cowboys star benefits from the NFL’s skyrocketing TV deals and personal sponsorships. America’s Team always pays big, and Dak is the biggest winner of them all.

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11. Scottie Scheffler -

With $104.3 million, Scottie Scheffler’s precision on the golf course is matched only by his ability to cash in. Endorsements and tournament wins place him among golf’s financial elite. With his consistency, everyone can expect his bank balance to grow even bigger.

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10. Jon Rahm -

Coming in at number 10 is golf’s latest cash king, Jon Rahm. Thanks to LIV Golf’s billion-dollar paychecks, the athlete earned $105.8 million in 2024. His defection to the Saudi-backed league made him the highest-earning golfer in the world.

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9. Kylian Mbappé -

Football player Kylian Mbappé’s stardom is certainly skyrocketing, which can be seen by his $110 million earnings. His move to Real Madrid, plus massive endorsement deals with Nike and EA Sports, ensures he’ll be football’s next financial titan.

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8. Karim Benzema -

Karim Benzema’s move to the Saudi football club Al-Ittihad brought him a staggering $116 million in 2024. The ex-Real Madrid striker's silky skills have earned him a dream retirement contract in Saudi Arabia.

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7. Oleksandr Usyk -

With a $122 million haul in 2024, Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk just might be the sport’s newest financial superstar. His fights against Tyson Fury generated enormous sales and made him one of the sport’s most bankable names.

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6. Neymar -

Despite injuries and controversies, Brazilian footballer Neymar still earned $133 million last year. His lucrative contract with Al-Hilal, as well as sponsorships and massive social media following, ensure he remains among the richest in the sport.

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5. LeBron James -

LeBron’s $133.2 million earnings for 2024 aren’t just about basketball: it's about business. With Nike, Hollywood projects, and part-ownership in multiple franchises, King James is cementing his legacy as both a sporting and financial juggernaut.

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4. Lionel Messi -

Hailing from Argentina, footballer Lionel Messi’s $135 million shows that his magic extends beyond the field. In addition to sporting prowess, Adidas and Apple-backed deals further boost his fortune. The World Cup winner remains one of the most marketable athletes in history.

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3. Tyson Fury -

Arriving in third place, Tyson Fury (also known as the "Gypsy King") reigns supreme in the boxing world, raking in $147 million from epic bouts, including his megafight against Oleksandr Usyk. With endorsement sales and a charismatic personality, Fury continues to dominate both inside and outside the ring.

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2. Stephen Curry -

With $153.8 million in earnings, basketball player Stephen Curry’s three-point magic continues to break records—and bank accounts. His partnership with Under Armour, investments, and his NBA salary place him among the wealthiest athletes ever.

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1. Cristiano Ronaldo -

Arriving in the top spot as the highest-earning athlete is Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. With a whopping $260 million in earnings (mostly from his Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr) that includes $45 million in lucrative endorsements, Ronaldo is as much a brand as he is an athlete.

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Gender gap -

Shockingly, despite the immense talent and marketability of female athletes, not a single woman made the top 100 highest-paid athletes in 2024. While stars like Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka have previously broken into the list, their absence this year is a testament to the financial inequalities that are still prevalent in the sporting industry.

Sources: (Sportico) (Forbes) (Encyclopedia Britannica) (Sports Illustrated)

See also: What are the origins of your favorite sport?

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