Inside The $4.1 Billion Haul By 2026’s 50 Highest-Paid Athletes
Key takeaways
- He is also the only billionaire in the top 50.Rich Storry/Getty Images By Brett Knight,
- The list of the sports world’s top earners features eight sports, 18 countries—and several record paydays.
- Meanwhile, Al-Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo, at $300 million, bested the soccer mark he himself had established last year.
Sports Money Editors' Pick Inside The $4.1 Billion Haul By 2026’s 50 Highest-Paid Athletes King's Ransom: Lakers forward Le Bron James made an estimated $137.8 million over the past 12 months, landing at No. 4 on the list of the world's highest-paid athletes. He is also the only billionaire in the top 50.Rich Storry/Getty Images By Brett Knight,
The list of the sports world’s top earners features eight sports, 18 countries—and several record paydays. Here’s everything you need to know about another big year on and off the field.The world’s 50 highest-paid athletes combined to rake in an estimated $4.1 billion over the past 12 months before taxes and agent fees, and while that total represents a slight step down from 2025’s record $4.2 billion, three superstars set new earnings highs for their respective sports this year.
Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton became the first Formula 1 driver to reach nine figures with an estimated $100 million in income from his on-track salary and his endorsements, appearances and other business endeavors off the grid. Meanwhile, Al-Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo, at $300 million, bested the soccer mark he himself had established last year. And after New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto stole baseball’s earnings crown from Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani last year, Ohtani snatched it right back, ratcheting up the MLB record to $127.6 million.