The Highest-Paid Athlete of the 1960s Made $250,000 a Year
The 1960s marked a turning point in American sports, as leagues expanded, television audiences grew, and athlete salaries began to climb to new heights. For the first time, top stars were signing contracts worth six figures, a major milestone that reflected the rising popularity and business side of professional sports.
Some of the biggest names of the era, including legends like Sandy Koufax, Mickey Mantle, and Wilt Chamberlain, were among the highest-paid athletes of their time. While those salaries may seem modest compared to today's massive contracts, they represented a dramatic shift in how athletes were valued. Here's a closer look at the top earners of the 1960s and how much they were making at the peak of their careers.
12. Hank Aaron
Hank Aaron broke the career home run record.
- Salary: $80,000 per year
Hank Aaron will forever be baseball royalty as the man who broke Babe Ruth's career home run record. A 25-time All-Star, Hank Aaron was well compensated during the 1960s.
11. Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson won two World Series titles.
- Salary: $85,000 per year
A 14-time All-Star, Frank Robinson was one of the biggest names in baseball during the 1960s. He more than earned his salary by taking the Baltimore Orioles to their first two World Series titles.
10. Bobby Hull
Bobby Hull is one of the most storied hockey players in history.
- Salary: $100,000 per year
Before signing a million-dollar contract in 1972, Bobby Hull, aka "The Golden Jet," signed a $100,000 annual contract with the World Hockey Association before the Winnipeg Jets merged with the NHL.
9. Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson is one of the most memorable basketball players ever.
- Salary: $100,000 per year
Oscar Robertson, who played in the NBA for 14 seasons, was the first player to average a triple-double for a whole season. While his true salary remains debatable, it's believed he earned six figures per season toward the end of the 1960s.
8. Bart Starr
Bart Starr presents a trophy to Aaron Rodgers.
- Salary: $100,000 per year
One of the most storied quarterbacks in Green Bay Packer history, Bart Starr, helped the team win the first two Super Bowls. This success helped him command his first six-figure salary.
7. Gordie Howe
Gordie Howe played an incredible 26 seasons in the NHL.
- Salary: $100,000 per year
Gordie Howe played 26 seasons as a central figure in NHL history. His salary was increased to six figures for the 1969-1970 season while playing with the Detroit Red Wings.
6. Yogi Berra
Yogi Berra is another member of the baseball royalty, having won multiple World Series titles.
- Salary: $100,000 per year
The catcher who became a staple figure in New York Yankee history, Yogi Berra's salary was a reward for his contributions to the team with which he won 13 World Series.
5. Mickey Mantle
Mickey Mantle was a 20-time All-Star and an outstanding hitter.
- Salary: $100,000 per year
One of the biggest names in baseball history, Mickey Mantle, is a legend in every sense. A 20-time All-Star and 7-time World Series champion, Mantle earned his salary tenfold.
4. Bill Russell
Bill Russellloudly dunking over a large Philadelphia team.
- Salary: $100,101
After Wilt Chamberlain signed his first $100,000 contract in 1965, Bill Russell demanded that he be the highest-paid star in the NBA, earning one dollar more than Chamberlain.
3. Sandy Koufax
Sandy Koufax is undoubtedly one of the best baseball pitchers in history.
- Salary: $125,000
Sandy Koufax, the pitcher who helped the Los Angeles Dodgers win multiple World Series titles, deserved every cent of his historic baseball salary of $125,000 annually.
2. Joe Namath
Joe Namath will long be remembered as a superstar quarterback.
- Salary: $427,000 for three years
Joe Namath's record-breaking contract in 1965 made him the highest-paid player in NFL history. At the time, he quickly became the face of a growing league.
1. Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt Chamberlain was the first and only NBA player to score 100 points in a game.
- Salary: ~$250,000 per year
One of the most dominant basketball players in history, Wilt Chamberlain was the first NBA player to command a salary of over $250,000 per year in 1967, making him the highest-paid athlete of the decade.