Top 10 Richest Athletes

Check out the top 10 richest athletes of 2024 and see how they've turned their sports careers into huge fortunes. Please note that the net worth figures mentioned are based on the latest data from Forbes.

10. Junior Bridgeman - $600 Million

Junior Bridgeman, the former NBA player and successful entrepreneur, boasts a net worth of $600 million as of 2024. While he earned a peak salary of $350,000 during his 12-year basketball career, Bridgeman’s wealth soared through his business ventures. After retiring from the NBA, he invested in Wendy’s franchises, growing his fast-food empire to include over 160 Wendy’s and 120 Chili’s locations. Bridgeman Foods Inc. generated impressive revenues, with a peak annual income exceeding $530 million. In addition to his fast-food success, he now leads Coca-Cola Heartland as president and CEO. Recently, in September 2024, Bridgeman made it to the headlines by purchasing a 10% stake in the Milwaukee Bucks, valued at $4 billion.

9. Eddie Jordan - $600 Million

Former racing driver, Eddie Jordan is an Irish businessman with a net worth of $600 million as of 2024. While Jordan earned a fortune from his career as a racing driver, the majority of his wealth comes from his business endeavors. Post his racing career, Jordan founded his team called Eddie Jordan Racing in 1980. In 1990 he moved to F1 racing and founded the Jordan Grand Prix which gave debut to legendary racers like Michael Schumacher and went on to win four races in 14 years before being sold for around 37 million dollars. Jordan also ventured into other businesses including being a shareholder in Celtic Football Club, a partner in hedge fund, Clareville Capital, and an investor in Kinmont Advisory.

8. Cristiano Ronaldo - $800 Million

Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese soccer superstar, holds a net worth of $600 million as of 2024. Known for his exceptional skills and remarkable career, Ronaldo's wealth is a testament to his success on and off the field. He consistently earns between $100-150 million annually, with a significant portion coming from his salary and lucrative endorsements. In 2020 alone, he made $120 million with $70 million from his salary and $50 million from deals with Nike, Clear Shampoo, and Herbalife. Currently, he typically earns around $150 million per year with endorsements as per Celebrity Net Worth. Ronaldo’s $1 billion lifetime deal with Nike, which included a $100 million signing bonus, is a major contributor to his wealth. His recent 2.5-year $525 million contract with Saudi team Al Nassr further boosted his fortune. 

Apart from football, Ronaldo in 2006 founded the CR7, a clothing, footwear, and fragrances brand however specific financial details are not available at the time of writing this article. Along with this, Ronaldo has invested in seven businesses including Whoop and Chrono24 which currently have a market cap of $3.6 billion and $936 million respectively as per the Dealroom.

7. Lionel Messi - $650 Million

Lionel Messi, the Argentine soccer legend, boasts a net worth of $650 million. His immense fortune is primarily built from his record-breaking contracts and endorsements. At Barcelona, Messi's peak salary was $168.5 million annually with the total contract worth $674 million for four-years. Messi’s endorsement deals, including a lifetime agreement with Adidas, add another $40-60 million each year. Over his remarkable career, Messi has amassed over $1.3 billion in earnings, with around $900 million from salary and $400 million from endorsements. His recent contract with Paris Saint-Germain paid $75 million per year, and his move to Inter Miami in 2023, which includes a unique revenue share deal with Apple, further solidifies his financial status. For the record, ​​Messi's base salary at Inter Miami is $12 million, with a total guaranteed compensation of just over $20.4 million.

6. Magic Johnson - $1.2 Billion

Earvin Magic Johnson Jr., the basketball legend and savvy entrepreneur, boasts a net worth of $1.2 billion as of 2024. As an NBA icon, Magic's total earnings with the Los Angeles Lakers were around $40 million as per Forbes. His financial prowess truly flourished post-retirement. Johnson’s enterprise, Magic Johnson Enterprises, is a billion-dollar conglomerate with investments spanning entertainment, real estate, and healthcare. In 2012, he notably acquired a 2.3% stake in the Los Angeles Dodgers for a reported $50 million, which has since appreciated significantly. Magic’s business ventures include a major role in the acquisition of the Washington Commanders for $6.05 billion. Additionally, his investments in EquiTrust Life Insurance and aXiomatic eSports highlight his diverse portfolio. Despite the missed opportunity of a $5 billion Nike deal, Magic's wealth continues to grow through strategic investments and ownership stakes.

5. LeBron James - $1.2 Billion

LeBron James is a powerhouse both on and off the court, with a net worth of $1.2 billion. His NBA salary alone earns him $48 million annually, making him the 14th highest-paid player in the league. In 2022, LeBron became the first NBA player to become a billionaire as per the Forbes. Beyond the court, LeBron’s endorsement deals are also impressive. His lifetime contract with Nike, potentially worth over $1 billion, is a testament to his market power. He also commands a substantial income from his various investments. LeBron has stakes in multiple sports teams, including Liverpool F.C. and the Boston Red Sox, and owns 21 Blaze Pizza franchises. He earned $480 million in pretax salary from stints with the Cavaliers, the Miami Heat and his current team, the Los Angeles Lakers. With about $80 million in real estate and a wide-ranging business portfolio, LeBron's wealth keeps growing, solidifying his status as both a sports and financial icon.

4. Tiger Woods - $1.3 Billion

Tiger Woods is an American professional golfer with a net worth of $1.3 billion as of 2024. One of the most successful and richest golfers in the world, while being the second ever athlete to earn a billionaire status after LeBron James. Woods earned a good chunk of his wealth on the golf course. Woods has earned a total of $121 million as a professional golfer since his debut in 1996. What makes up for Woods's massive wealth is his endorsement deals. After a year of his debut, Woods signed a 5-year $40 million deal with Nike, a 5-year $20 million deal with Titleist, and a 5-year $30 million deal with American Express, earning a total of $100 million in just eight months since his debut. Woods over the years went on to sign multiple contracts with Nike, totaling around $700 million till 2024 after which Woods and Nike parted ways. Woods also has been associated with other brands like Rolex, Accenture, TLC Laser Eye Centers, AT&T, EA Sports, and Buick. Other revenue streams for Woods include designing golf courses, for which he earns around $10 million. 

3. Anna Kasprzak - $1.3 Billion

Anna Kasprzak, a Danish dressage rider, is one of the youngest billionaires globally, with a net worth of $1.3 billion. This wealth largely comes from her family’s leading shoe company, ECCO, which generates over $1.5 billion in annual revenue. This fortune was significantly bolstered when her mother, Hanni Toosbury Kasprzak, inherited the majority of ECCO after the passing of Anna’s grandfather. With substantial assets and a growing financial portfolio, Anna Kasprzak’s net worth continues to rise, ensuring her place among the world’s wealthiest young billionaires.

2. Ion Tiriac - $2.2 Billion

Former professional ice hockey and tennis player, Ion Tiriac is a Romanian businessman with a net worth of $2.2 billion as of 2024. Representing Romania in international competitions, Tiran won the Bavarian International Tennis Championships in 1970. It was only after his retirement that Ion Tiriac went on to earn the status of a billionaire. In 1990, Ion Tirian went on to establish his private bank called Banca Tiriac. Tiraic further went on to launch many businesses including Tiriac Holdings, TiriacAIR, HVB Tiriac Bank, Allianz-Tiriac Asigurari Romania, TiriacAuto, Tiriac Leasing, and Tir Travel. He is also the owner of the Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open. 

1. Michael Jordan - $3.5 Billion

American basketball player and entrepreneur, Michael Jordan is a billionaire with a net worth of $3.5 billion as of 2024. Despite being one of the most successful basketball players in the world, Jordan only earned $93.7 million from his NBA career. Jordan’s billionaire status comes from his brand deals and business endeavors. One of the biggest contributors to Jordan’s wealth is his deal with Nike for the Air Jordan shoe lineup, which generates over $2.5 billion in annual sales for Nike. Jordan earns an estimated $100 - $120 million annually as royalties from Nike. However, what helped him earn the status of a billionaire was when he sold his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets in 2023. Jordan had bought the stake in the team for $175 million in 2010 and sold it in 2023 for $1.1 billion while still retaining a 10% stake worth $300 million. In 2019, he sold a minority stake to Gabe Plotkin, the the founder and chief investment officer of Tallwoods Capital LLC. 

Apart from his venture in the world of Basketball, Jordan also has other endeavors like a NASCAR team, and endorsements for brands like Gatorade, Wheaties, McDonald's, Coca-Cola, Chevrolet, Ball Park Franks, Rayovac, Hanes, and MCI. 

Honorable Mention

• Emma Navarro

Emma Navarro, daughter of Sherman Financial Group founder Ben Navarro, has a net worth of around $1.5 billion. She is an American professional tennis player. Her wealth is boosted by family fortune, tennis earnings, and endorsements with major brands like Fila, Yonex, and Credit One Bank. Navarro resides in Charleston, South Carolina, with her family.

• Dwayne Johnson

Former professional wrestler, Dwayne Johnson is an American actor and entrepreneur with a net worth of $800 million as of 2024. Known as “The Rock” in wrestling, Johnson was one of the most popular wrestlers in WWE. While the Rock did earn a significant amount from his career as a wrestler, the majority of his wealth comes from his stint as an actor and an entrepreneur. Johnson earns about $100 million annually from movies and endorsements, with $20 million per film, and deals with brands like Under Armour. His largest wealth source is Teremana Tequila, where his 30% stake is valued at approximately $1 billion, as the brand is worth around $3.5 billion.

• Faiq Bolkiah

Faiq Bolkiah, a professional footballer and Brunei prince, commands a net worth of $20 billion. While he's known as "the richest footballer in the world", most of his wealth comes from his royal heritage rather than his football career. Despite his fortune, Faiq follows his passion for football, playing for clubs like Leicester City, Marítimo, and currently Ratchaburi in Thailand. He maintains a surprisingly modest lifestyle, driving a Toyota Yaris to training, even though his family owns nearly 600 Rolls-Royces.

That wraps up our list of the top 10 richest athletes. Their amazing skills and worldwide popularity have opened doors to incredible opportunities, earning them big endorsement deals and successful business ventures.