The 10 Highest-Paid Athletes in History (Adjusted for Inflation)

Sportico has released a list of the 50 highest-paid athletes in history, adjusted for inflation. Together, they have earned a staggering $53.2 billion. Basketball legend Michael Jordan tops the ranking. FootyRoom has selected the top 10 most successful athletes from the list.

According to Sportico, these athletes represent eight different sports: soccer, golf, basketball, auto racing, American football, tennis, baseball, and boxing. Basketball dominates the ranking with 13 players, whose combined earnings reach $14.84 billion, followed by golf ($11.12 billion) and boxing ($6.08 billion).

Americans make up the majority of the list (34 athletes), along with two representatives each from the UK and Spain, and one from 13 other countries. Serena Williams is the only woman in the top 50, having earned $660 million (adjusted for inflation), placing her above Kevin Garnett, Evander Holyfield, Andre Agassi, and others. Sportico notes that two more women—Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams—appear between 51st and 100th places.

Only 18 athletes in the top 50 are still active. However, as Sportico highlights, "for many of the greatest athletes, retirement does not mean the end of income streams."

1. Michael Jordan

Inflation-adjusted earnings: $4.15 billion
Actual earnings: $3 billion

Michael Jordan won six NBA titles, was Finals MVP six times, League MVP five times, and the top scorer for 10 seasons. Despite these achievements, he was the NBA’s highest-paid player in only two of his 15 seasons. Most of his wealth came from partnerships with Nike, Gatorade, Hanes, and Upper Deck.

In 2024, Jordan earned more than top active athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo and Stephen Curry, bringing in around $300 million from Nike alone. Nike’s Air Jordan brand posted $7 billion in sales that year. Jordan also owns 23XI Racing NASCAR, invests in DraftKings, Sportradar, and Courtside Ventures, and sold his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets in 2023.

2. Tiger Woods

Inflation-adjusted earnings: $2.79 billion
Actual earnings: $1.91 billion

Despite limited success on the course in recent years, Tiger Woods continues to earn over $60 million annually through endorsements and business ventures. His 27-year deal with Nike netted him around $500 million, while Gatorade paid him another $100 million. Woods co-founded TMRW Sports and owns multiple golf-related businesses.

3. Cristiano Ronaldo

Inflation-adjusted earnings: $2.23 billion
Actual earnings: $1.83 billion

Cristiano Ronaldo earned about $260 million last year, making him the highest-paid athlete globally for the fourth time. He received $200 million from Al-Nassr and another $60 million from endorsements with Nike, Herbalife, and others. Off the field, he runs a brand empire under CR7.

4. LeBron James

Inflation-adjusted earnings: $1.88 billion
Actual earnings: $1.49 billion

At 40, LeBron James is still a force in the NBA, averaging 23.5 points per game last season. Besides basketball, LeBron has built a vast investment portfolio, co-owns the Boston Red Sox, and became the NBA’s first active billionaire. In 2024/25, he earned $134 million from salary and endorsements.

5. Lionel Messi

Inflation-adjusted earnings: $1.85 billion
Actual earnings: $1.49 billion

After joining Inter Miami in 2023, Lionel Messi became the MLS’s biggest earner, reportedly signing a deal worth $150 million, including future ownership stakes. He maintains strong endorsement deals with Apple, adidas, Lowe’s, Konami, and launched his own sports drink with White Claw.

6. Arnold Palmer

Inflation-adjusted earnings: $1.82 billion
Actual earnings: $885 million

A golf icon with 62 PGA Tour wins, Arnold Palmer built a business empire through the Golf Channel, course design, and branded products. Even after his death in 2016, Palmer continues to earn about $40 million annually through Arnold Palmer Enterprises.

7. Jack Nicklaus

Inflation-adjusted earnings: $1.75 billion
Actual earnings: $910 million

The "Golden Bear" is considered by many the greatest golfer of all time. Although his career earnings were modest, Jack Nicklaus found major success through endorsements, course design, publishing, and investments.

8. David Beckham

Inflation-adjusted earnings: $1.61 billion
Actual earnings: $1.2 billion

David Beckham built a fortune through endorsements and smart investments. His ownership in Inter Miami MLS club is now valued at $1.19 billion. Beckham’s DB Ventures manages deals with brands like adidas, Hugo Boss, Haig Club, Tudor, Maserati, and Coty.

9. Roger Federer

Inflation-adjusted earnings: $1.59 billion
Actual earnings: $1.23 billion

Roger Federer became a key investor in On Holdings, a booming Swiss sportswear brand, after ending his long association with Nike. Besides his business success, he remains one of the highest-paid athletes through endorsements with Rolex, Mercedes-Benz, and Wilson.

10. Floyd Mayweather

Inflation-adjusted earnings: $1.52 billion
Actual earnings: $1.15 billion

Nicknamed "Money," Floyd Mayweather made headlines with massive paydays from his late-career fights, including a $275 million payday after fighting Conor McGregor in 2017. In 2025, he invested $402 million in Manhattan real estate, acquiring 62 buildings and over 1,000 apartments.

Published by Patrick Jane
28.04.2025