These Are The Wealthiest Athletes In The World In 2021
It’s a well-known fact: Athletes at the top of their game score big bucks. Between salaries, endorsements, prize monies, and bonuses, there’s a lot of cash to be had if you can throw, kick, dunk, putt, or hit a ball.
These wealthy athletes top the list when it comes to who earns the most. It’s clear that playing hard can definitely lead to living large.
Stephen Curry | Net Worth: $130 million
Signed on the NBA’s first $200 million contract in 2017, Wardell Stephen Curry II has had the league’s top salary for the last three seasons. With $130 million to his name, Curry is one of the wealthiest athletes in the world. In addition to his player earnings, he owns an investment management company that oversees his brand partnerships, investments, and philanthropic ventures. In addition, he has a production company, Unanimous Media, that has a deal with Sony Pictures.
Kevin Durant | Net Worth: $175 million
In the 2007 NBA draft, Kevin Durant was selected as the second overall pick by the Seattle SuperSonics. After playing nine seasons with that franchise, he signed with the Golden State Warriors in 2016, then in 2019 signed a four-year contract with the Brooklyn Nets valued at $164 million. He reportedly has investments in some 40 businesses, and has made approximately $35 million from sponsorships. His personal fortune is estimated to be around $175 million.
Lionel Messi | Net Worth: $400 million
He just might be the best player in the world, and he’s definitely one of the greatest players of all time – because of that, his value hasn’t gone unnoticed: Lionel Messi currently plays for Barcelona on a contract through 2020-2021, and has an annual salary of $80 million. With a record six Ballon d’Or awards and a record six European Golden Shoes, it’s not surprising he has lifetime endorsement contract with Adidas, which adds another $30 million to his earnings. Messi has also launched his own clothing line and retail outlet, The Messi Store, in Barcelona.
Roger Federer | Net Worth: $450 million
There’s no doubt that Roger Federer has courted fame and fortune: He’s widely regarded as the world’s greatest tennis player of all time. The numbers tell the story: 20 Grand Slam singles titles, the most ever for a male player. The number 1 spot in the Association of Tennis Professionals rankings for a record 310 weeks. And during the course of his career, he amassed a personal fortune of more than $450 million. Although Federer’s playing days are markedly different than they were years ago, he hasn’t taken his eye off the ball; today, his endorsement contracts are reported to be worth more than $100 million.
LeBron James | Net Worth: $500 million
Named 2003-2004 NBA rookie of the year, Lebron James joined Cleveland in 2003, left that franchise in 2010 and signed with Miami as a free agent, which remains one of the most controversial free-agent decisions in all of American sports history. He joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018 on a $153 million contract, and has been named the NBA’s MVP four times. Off the court, James’s numbers are equally impressive: His endorsement portfolio is worth more than $60 million, he owns his own production and media companies, and has a net worth of some $500 million.
| Net Worth: $500 million
A Portuguese professional footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo plays forward for Serie A club Juventus, and is captain of the Portugal national team. Considered by many to be the best player in the world, he holds five Ballon d’Or awards and holds the UEFA Champions League record for the most goals at 130 and has assisted in 40. Whatever future decisions he makes, it’s highly unlikely that Ronaldo will ever lose his shirt: When he joined Juventus, he took a pay cut by accepting a four-year contract for $64 million per year, but when the news broke that Ronaldo had joined the team, Juventus sold over half a million Ronaldo jerseys within 24 hours, raking in over $60 million.
Tiger Woods | Net Worth: $800 million
A world-famous golfer and celebrity, Tiger Woods is tied for first in PGA Tour Wins and is second in men’s major championships. From August 1999 to September 2004 and from June 2005 to October 2010 Woods was ranked the top golfer in the world. In 2010, he took a hiatus from the game to deal with injuries as well as personal issues, and his ranking fell to number 58. But in 2018, Woods staged a breathtaking comeback, clinching his first PGA Tour win in five years and adding a fifth green jacket at the 2019 Masters. Today, he’s considered the richest athlete in the world, having made more than $1.5 billion from a combination of appearances, course design fees, and endorsements. His personal fortune is estimated at $800 million.