25 World’s Highest Paid Athletes (And How They Make Their Money)

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Earnings for sports athletes have never been stronger. The top 25 of the world’s highest paid athletes, determined by Forbes, make a combined income of $2.8 billion.

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UFC, basketball, football, soccer, golf, tennis players, and race car drivers had take-home pay coming from a blend of income streams such as business ventures, endorsements, and salaries, allowing the highest paid athletes to turn in a record-setting year.

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Conor McGregor (UFC Fighter)

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Lionel Messi (Soccer)

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Cristiano Ronaldo (Soccer)

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Dak Prescott (Football)

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LeBron James (Basketball)

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25 World’s Highest Paid Athletes (And How They Make Their Money)

Earnings for sports athletes have never been stronger. The top 25 of the world’s highest paid athletes, determined by Forbes, make a combined income of $2.8 billion.

UFC, basketball, football, soccer, golf, tennis players, and race car drivers had take-home pay coming from a blend of income streams such as business ventures, endorsements, and salaries, allowing the highest paid athletes to turn in a record-setting year.

Conor McGregor (UFC Fighter)

McGregor is a two-time UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) featherweight and lightweight double-champion. He raked in a cool $180 million, helping top up his salary by selling his majority stake in an Irish whiskey distiller Proper No. Twelve.

Lionel Messi (Soccer)

After seventeen seasons with FC Barcelona, Messi made a tearful departure when management could not meet his salary demands. The soccer icon ended the year with $130 million in earnings.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Soccer)

With forty-seven goals across all competitions in 2021, this soccer sensation will bring home $120 million. 2021 was also a year of transition for Cristiano after leaving Italian soccer giant Juventus after three years for his former team, Manchester United.

Dak Prescott (Football)

Prescott, who has been with the Dallas Cowboys for five years, earned $107.5 million, making him the highest-paid athlete football player of the year.

LeBron James (Basketball)

James, a Los Angeles Laker and 2020 NBA champion, had earnings coming in at $96.5 million, making James the highest paid athlete in the NBA.

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