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The World’s Richest Athletes

The World’s Richest Athletes

Amid the growing split in the golf world, Tiger Woods turned down a contract worth $700-$800 million to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series, according to its CEO, Greg Norman. Woods has been an ardent supporter of the existing PGA Tour, as it tries to fend off competition from the upstart LIV.

Even though Woods did not take the payout, he is still one of the highest-earning athletes in the world, taking home over $68 million over the last year. Nearly all of his income came via endorsements as he works his way back to fitness after a 2021 car accident. Still, there are over a dozen other athletes who earned more than the golf legend. 

To determine the world’s richest athletes, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on earnings from some of the world’s most high-profile athletes from Forbes. Earnings are from May 2021 to May 2022. On-the-field income includes salary prize money and bonuses, while off-the-field income includes endorsements, licensing fees, appearances, and cash returns from investments. Supplemental information came from the Sports Reference family of sites, and is accurate as of Aug. 1, 2022. An athlete’s country was determined to be the one they represent in international competitions.

The 50 highest paid athletes in the world hail from 15 different countries, though the vast majority (35) are American. These American athletes primarily play in domestic sports leagues like the NBA, NFL, and MLB, though a few golfers and a tennis player cracked the list as well.

The 50 highest paid athletes in the world earned almost $3 billion combined over the past year. NBA and NFL players make up the majority of the list, with more than 30 players earning over $37 million between the two leagues. In other sports like golf, soccer, auto racing, and boxing, only the very top earners were able to make the list. (It’s worth noting, though, how much the best paid athletes paid in taxes.)

It is worth noting that some of the athletes’ on-field earnings are somewhat inflated. Teams often front-load or back-load big contracts, paying players huge sums to skirt the salary cap. Some of the players on this list made tens of millions of dollars over the last year, despite being injured or playing poorly, as they were at the end of massive contracts. These are the most overpaid athletes in pro sports.

Source: Joe Sargent / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

50. T.J. Watt
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $37.6 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $36.6 million; Off-the-field: $1 million
> Sport: Football
> Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
> Country: United States

Source: joeglo / Flickr

49. Bradley Beal
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $37.7 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $33.7 million; Off-the-field: $4 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Washington Wizards
> Country: United States

Source: Otto Greule Jr / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

46. Russell Wilson
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $38 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $24 million; Off-the-field: $14 million
> Sport: Football
> Team: Denver Broncos
> Country: United States

Source: Jason Miller / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

46. Jake Paul
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $38 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $30 million; Off-the-field: $8 million
> Sport: Boxing
> Team: N/A
> Country: United States

Source: Streeter Lecka / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

46. Kemba Walker
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $38 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $35 million; Off-the-field: $3 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Detroit Pistons
> Country: United States

Source: Jamie Squire / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

45. Stefon Diggs
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $38.7 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $36.2 million; Off-the-field: $2.5 million
> Sport: Football
> Team: Buffalo Bills
> Country: United States

Source: Frederick Breedon / Getty Images

44. Ryan Ramczyk
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $38.8 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $38.7 million; Off-the-field: $100,000
> Sport: Football
> Team: New Orleans Saints
> Country: United States

Source: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

43. Chris Paul
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $39.1 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $31.1 million; Off-the-field: $8 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Phoenix Suns
> Country: United States

Source: Patrick Smith / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

41. Amari Cooper
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $39.4 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $38.9 million; Off-the-field: $500,000
> Sport: Football
> Team: Cleveland Browns
> Country: United States

Source: Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

41. Dak Prescott
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $39.4 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $27.4 million; Off-the-field: $12 million
> Sport: Football
> Team: Dallas Cowboys
> Country: United States

Source: joeglo / Flickr

40. Joel Embiid
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $39.7 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $31.7 million; Off-the-field: $8 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Philadelphia 76ers
> Country: Cameroon

Source: Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

39. Devin Booker
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $39.9 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $31.9 million; Off-the-field: $8 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Phoenix Suns
> Country: United States

Source: Sean Gardner / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

38. Marshon Lattimore
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $40.9 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $40.8 million; Off-the-field: 100000
> Sport: Football
> Team: New Orleans Saints
> Country: United States

Source: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

37. Rory McIlroy
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $41.5 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $7.5 million; Off-the-field: $34 million
> Sport: Golf
> Team: N/A
> Country: Northern Ireland

Source: Roberto Galan / Getty Images

35. Conor McGregor
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $43 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $33 million; Off-the-field: $10 million
> Sport: Mixed Martial Arts
> Team: N/A
> Country: Ireland

Source: Matthias Hangst / Getty Images

35. Kylian Mbappé
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $43 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $28 million; Off-the-field: $15 million
> Sport: Soccer
> Team: Paris Saint-Germain
> Country: France

Source: Carmen Mandato / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

34. John Wall
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $44.8 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $44.3 million; Off-the-field: $500,000
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Los Angeles Clippers
> Country: United States

Source: Michael Regan / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

33. Mohamed Salah
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $45 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $27 million; Off-the-field: $18 million
> Sport: Soccer
> Team: Liverpool
> Country: Egypt

Source: Clive Brunskill / Getty Images

31. Serena Williams
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $45.3 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $300,000; Off-the-field: $45 million
> Sport: Tennis
> Team: N/A
> Country: United States

Source: Ross Kinnaird / Getty Images

31. Phil Mickelson
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $45.3 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $3.3 million; Off-the-field: $42 million
> Sport: Golf
> Team: N/A
> Country: United States

Source: Chris Graythen / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

29. Anthony Davis
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $45.4 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $35.4 million; Off-the-field: $10 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Los Angeles Lakers
> Country: United States

Source: Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images

29. Kawhi Leonard
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $45.4 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $39.4 million; Off-the-field: $6 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Los Angeles Clippers
> Country: United States

Source: Harry How / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

28. Paul George
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $47.9 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $39.4 million; Off-the-field: $8.5 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Los Angeles Clippers
> Country: United States

Source: Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images

26. Jimmy Butler
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $48 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $36 million; Off-the-field: $12 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Miami Heat
> Country: United States

Source: Mark Thompson / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

26. Max Verstappen
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $48 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $46 million; Off-the-field: $2 million
> Sport: Auto Racing
> Team: Red Bull Racing
> Country: Netherlands

Source: David Berding / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

25. Kirk Cousins
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $48.5 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $46 million; Off-the-field: $2.5 million
> Sport: Football
> Team: Minnesota Vikings
> Country: United States

Source: Jamie Squire / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

24. Patrick Mahomes
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $49.1 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $29.1 million; Off-the-field: $20 million
> Sport: Football
> Team: Kansas City Chiefs
> Country: United States

Source: Rob Tringali / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

23. Mike Trout
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $49.5 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $35.5 million; Off-the-field: $14 million
> Sport: Baseball
> Team: Los Angeles Angels
> Country: United States

Source: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

22. Klay Thompson
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $55 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $38 million; Off-the-field: $17 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Golden State Warriors
> Country: United States

Source: Jonathan Ferrey / Getty Images

21. Deshaun Watson
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $55.6 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $55.5 million; Off-the-field: $100,000
> Sport: Football
> Team: Cleveland Browns
> Country: United States

Source: Harry How / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

20. Damian Lillard
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $57.4 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $39.4 million; Off-the-field: $18 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Portland Trail Blazers
> Country: United States

Source: Julian Finney / Getty Images

19. Naomi Osaka
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $59.2 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $1.2 million; Off-the-field: $58 million
> Sport: Tennis
> Team: N/A
> Country: Japan

Source: James Chance / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

18. Tyson Fury
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $62 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $60 million; Off-the-field: $2 million
> Sport: Boxing
> Team: N/A
> Country: United Kingdom

Source: Clive Rose / Getty Images

17. Lewis Hamilton
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $65 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $57 million; Off-the-field: $8 million
> Sport: Auto Racing
> Team: Mercedes
> Country: United Kingdom

Source: Bryan M. Bennett / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

16. Josh Allen
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $67 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $63 million; Off-the-field: $4 million
> Sport: Football
> Team: Buffalo Bills
> Country: United States

Source: Dylan Buell / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

15. Aaron Rodgers
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $68 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $57 million; Off-the-field: $11 million
> Sport: Football
> Team: Green Bay Packers
> Country: United States

Source: Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

14. Tiger Woods
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $68 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $40,000; Off-the-field: $68 million
> Sport: Golf
> Team: N/A
> Country: United States

Source: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

13. Matthew Stafford
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $72.3 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $69.8 million; Off-the-field: $2.5 million
> Sport: Football
> Team: Los Angeles Rams
> Country: United States

Source: Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

12. James Harden
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $74.4 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $44.4 million; Off-the-field: $30 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Philadelphia 76ers
> Country: United States

Source: Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

11. Russell Westbrook
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $79.2 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $44.2 million; Off-the-field: $35 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Los Angeles Lakers
> Country: United States

Source: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

10. Giannis Antetokounmpo
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $80.9 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $39.9 million; Off-the-field: $41 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Milwaukee Bucks
> Country: Greece

Source: James Gilbert / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

9. Tom Brady
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $83.9 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $31.9 million; Off-the-field: $52 million
> Sport: Football
> Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
> Country: United States

Source: Dustin Satloff / Getty Images

8. Canelo Alvarez
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $90 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $85 million; Off-the-field: $5 million
> Sport: Boxing
> Team: N/A
> Country: Mexico

Source: Simon Hofmann / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

7. Roger Federer
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $90.7 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $700,000; Off-the-field: $90 million
> Sport: Tennis
> Team: N/A
> Country: Switzerland

Source: Elsa / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

6. Kevin Durant
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $92.1 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $42.1 million; Off-the-field: $50 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Brooklyn Nets
> Country: United States

Source: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

5. Stephen Curry
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $92.8 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $45.8 million; Off-the-field: $47 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Golden State Warriors
> Country: United States

Source: UEFA - Handout / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

4. Neymar
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $95 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $70 million; Off-the-field: $25 million
> Sport: Soccer
> Team: Paris Saint-Germain
> Country: Brazil

Source: Alex Livesey / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

3. Cristiano Ronaldo
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $115 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $60 million; Off-the-field: $55 million
> Sport: Soccer
> Team: Manchester United
> Country: Portugal

Source: Harry How / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

2. LeBron James
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $121.2 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $41.2 million; Off-the-field: $80 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Los Angeles Lakers
> Country: United States

Source: Amir Levy / Getty Images

1. Lionel Messi
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $130 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $75 million; Off-the-field: $55 million
> Sport: Soccer
> Team: Paris Saint-Germain
> Country: Argentina

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