Sports •
Posted on
Highest-Paid Athletes of All Time
Ranking the top 20 sports stars in history by their estimated inflation-adjusted career earnings.
Earnings include salaries, bonuses, prize money, endorsements, licensing, royalties, memorabilia, and equity payouts, adjusted for inflation from the year turned professional.
1
Michael Jordan Basketball
$4.15 B
2
Tiger Woods Golf
$2.79 B
3
Cristiano Ronaldo Soccer
$2.23 B
4
LeBron James Basketball
$1.88 B
5
Lionel Messi Soccer
$1.85 B
6
Arnold Palmer Golf
$1.82 B
7
Jack Nicklaus Golf
$1.75 B
8
David Beckham Soccer
$1.61 B
9
Roger Federer Tennis
$1.59 B
10
Phil Mickelson Golf
$1.53 B
11
Floyd Mayweather Boxing
$1.52 B
12
Michael Schumacher Motorsport
$1.42 B
13
Shaquille O'Neal Basketball
$1.32 B
14
Neymar Soccer
$1.24 B
15
Greg Norman Golf
$1.21 B
16
Kevin Durant Basketball
$1.18 B
17
Kobe Bryant Basketball
$1.13 B
18
Lewis Hamilton Motorsport
$1.08 B
19
Steph Curry Basketball
$1.06 B
20
Mike Tyson Boxing
$1.00 B