Cristiano Ronaldo, the global soccer sensation, was crowned the highest-paid athlete of 2024, according to a recent list compiled by Sportico. Earning an incredible $260 million, Ronaldo’s impressive paycheck came from both on-the-field performance and off-the-field endorsements. However, what stood out even more was the lack of female athletes in the top 100, sparking discussions about gender disparities in sports earnings.

Ronaldo’s Record-Breaking Earnings

Ronaldo’s substantial earnings were fueled by his remarkable performance with Al-Nassr, a Saudi Arabian soccer club, as well as the Portugal national team. Of Ronaldo $260 million earnings, $215 million came from salary and winnings, while $45 million was generated through endorsements. His career seemed to get a new lease on life since moving to Saudi Arabia, as he scored 82 goals in 90 appearances for Al-Nassr and, in September of the previous year, became the first male soccer player in history to reach 900 career goals.

This lucrative contract in Saudi Arabia placed Ronaldo ahead of the competition by a large margin. He was one of three soccer players in the top 10 who made big-money moves to Saudi Arabia, joining Neymar and Karim Benzema. Although Neymar has since returned to his home club, Santos, these athletes contributed to a growing trend of massive sports contracts in the Middle East.

Other Big Earners: Steph Curry, Tyson Fury, and More

Ronaldo’s $260 million earnings were more than $100 million higher than the second-place athlete, NBA superstar Stephen Curry. Curry, who earned $153.8 million in 2024, brought in $53.8 million through salary and winnings and an astounding $100 million from endorsements. Even though Curry’s Golden State Warriors did not have the best finish to their season, he played a pivotal role in leading Team USA to basketball gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

In third place was Britain’s Tyson Fury, the boxing heavyweight champion, with $147 million in earnings. This sum included $140 million from his salary and winnings and $7 million in endorsements. Soccer legend Lionel Messi, despite his recent move to Inter Miami, still had an impressive $135 million in earnings, with $60 million from salary and $75 million from endorsements.

LeBron James, the NBA superstar and Los Angeles Lakers icon, rounded out the top five with $133.2 million in earnings. $48.2 million of that came from his salary and winnings, while a staggering $85 million came through his various endorsement deals.

The NFL’s Top Earning Player: Dak Prescott

In the world of American football, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott led the NFL players, earning $100.4 million, which placed him in the 12th spot overall. Meanwhile, Jalen Hurts, the quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, earned $46.1 million, securing the 65th spot.

The Lack of Female Athletes in the Top 100

Despite the massive earnings of male athletes, the top 100 list from Sportico had no female athletes, which raises questions about the gender gap in sports earnings. Coco Gauff, a rising star in tennis, was the highest-earning female athlete of 2024, with $30.4 million. Gauff made history by winning the French Open doubles title and the singles championship at the WTA Finals. The 20-year-old also became the youngest Team USA flag bearer in Olympic history.

For context, the athlete in the 100th spot on the list was former NFL player Daniel Jones, who earned $37.5 million in 2024, a figure still higher than Gauff’s earnings.

Total Earnings of the Top 100 Athletes

According to Sportico, the top 100 athletes from eight sports and 27 countries combined to earn a total of $6.2 billion in 2024. Of this, $4.8 billion came from salaries and prize money, while $1.4 billion was generated through endorsements. This staggering sum highlights not only the immense earning potential in sports but also the growing influence of athletes off the field.

Conclusion

Cristiano Ronaldo’s dominance at the top of the highest-paid athlete list in 2024 demonstrates the immense earning power of global sports stars, especially in soccer. While male athletes continue to rake in huge salaries and endorsements, the absence of female athletes from the top 100 list underscores ongoing challenges regarding gender equality in sports earnings. With figures like Coco Gauff emerging as top earners in women’s sports, it’s clear there’s still room for growth in achieving balance across gender lines in athletic compensation.