The Ten Richest Athletes in Sports Right Now
It’s common knowledge that getting to the very top of professional sports can be the gateway to riches, though it is worth remembering that we are often only talking about the very top 1% of those who pursue a career in sports.
Nevertheless, it’s clear that once you reach the summit, the financial rewards flow. But just who is at the financial summit right now? Below, we look at the ten richest current athletes in global sports right now, parsing out how and why they have made their fortunes.
*All net worths are estimated as of March 2026, with information sourced from a variety of platforms. We have excluded athletes who aren’t currently active, so no Michael Jordan, for example, but you will probably note that the majority are coming toward the twilight of their careers, which is understandable, given that long careers at the top have provided them with the opportunity to accumulate more wealth.
- Cristiano Ronaldo: ~$1.2 billion.
He is still scoring at the age of 41, and he’s still reaping the financial rewards. Ronaldo has numerous commercial sponsors, from Nike to Binance to TAG Heuer. This summer’s World Cup will probably be his last for Portugal, but Ronaldo will likely continue to earn long after he retires.
- Lionel Messi: ~$850 million.
Probably more venerated as the greatest soccer player in history, but Messi’s earnings are somewhat lower than those of his rival, Ronaldo. Nonetheless, his ability to earn on and off the field is a testament to his talent. A final trip to the World Cup also beckons this summer.
- Tiger Woods: ~$800 million.
He’s not quite active, but having returned to golf action in recent weeks, Tiger warrants inclusion on this list. He is still considered the greatest golfer in history. And if you a magical comeback, you can get odds of +15000 for the legend to win this year’s Masters when you bet online with DraftKings Sportsbook. He couldn’t do it, surely?
- LeBron James: ~$800 million.
King James hardly needs an introduction. He is actually having a quietly brilliant season with the LA Lakers, which is putting any questions of retirement to bed for the moment. James, in a way, defines the modern NBA athlete
- Lewis Hamilton: ~$450 million.
The first F1 driver on this list, Hamilton has been the leading light in motor racing for much of the 21st century. His current contract with Ferrari is estimated at around $446 million, so expect him to continue improving his net worth significantly in the coming years.
- Neymar: ~$450 million.
Another soccer star for this list, Neymar’s playing career is certainly winding down. He has a variety of sponsors, as varied as Puma, McDonald’s, and Gillette. He now plies his trade in his native Brazil with Santos.
- Kevin Durant: ~$300 million.
KD is a 16-time All-Star, a two-time NBA champion, and he is a former league MVP. Perhaps strangely for a list like this, Durant has often eschewed marketing opportunities, claiming that they don’t really interest him.
- Russell Westbrook: ~$300 million.
Is Westbrook a surprise addition to this list? Nobody is doubting his talent as one of the NBA’s best players over the past few decades, but he might not just be considered the best of the best, as many are on this list. Nonetheless, huge NBA contracts and sponsorship deals with the likes of Pepsi Co. have kept his net worth in the elite tier.
- Rory McIlroy: ~$250 million.
The second golfer on this list, and, dare we say it, the athlete that should be considered most in his prime (perhaps alongside the man at No. 10). McIlroy is currently ranked world number two in golf, and he completed the career Grand Slam after winning the 2025 Masters.
- Kylian Mbappé: ~$250 million.
Finally, we have the youngest member of this list. The French striker is currently with Real Madrid, putting him at the top of the soccer world. He has a massive sponsorship deal with Nike, as well as others like Dior and Louis Vuitton.
