These Are The Top 25 Highest-Paid Athletes in 2023

There’s never been a better time to be an athlete, and these 25 are cashing in, according to Forbes.

Money is flowing to athletes like it never has before. Whether it’s salaries or endorsement money, it’s possible for the best of the best to make nine figures in just a single calendar year. And, back in May, Forbes released a list of the highest-paid athletes in the world.

It’s important to note that the list combines earnings from playing their sport and endorsement money. And, the list is as of May, so things may have changed for a few of the biggest sports stars in the world.

25. Damian Lillard, ($58.6 Million)

The former Portland Trail Blazer is playing for a new team for the first time in his career, as he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in October. He will have his best shot of his career at an NBA title this year, but win-or-lose, he will be making a ton of money.

24. Patrick Mahomes ($59.3 MIllion)

The best quarterback in the NFL is making an insane $39.3 million from the Chiefs this year. That somehow feels like a discount, given just how good the two-time Super Bowl champion is.

23. Klay Thompson ($60.9 Million)

One half of the Splash Brothers (the other one is higher on the list), Klay Thompson will go down as one of the best shooters in history. He’s trying to win a fifth NBA championship with the Warriors this year.

22. Max Verstappen ($64 million)

The three-time defending Formula 1 Champion has seen his celebrity explode in recent years, thanks in part to Netflix’s hit series Formula 1: Drive to Survive. And, the Team Red Bull driver has supplanted the next guy on the list as the dominant driver in the sport.

21. Lewis Hamilton ($65 milliion)

The Mercedes driver was the best F1 driver in the world, prior to Verstappen taking the mantle. He’s won seven championships, and is an international icon.

20. Bryson DeChambeau ($69 Million)

DeChambeau is the first golfer to make the list, most of whom are on the list due to belonging to the Saudi-backed LIV tour, which handed out huge sums of money up-front to players to join the league. DeChambeau has started to round back into form after a disappointing couple of years. He won twice on the LIV Tour this year, and should be contending for major championships again soon.

19. Kyler Murray ($70.5 Million)

Kyler Murray hasn’t played a single snap in the NFL in 2023, as he’s recovering from an ACL tear he suffered last December. But, the diminutive Cardinals quarterback is still making a boatload of money this year.

18. Brooks Koepka ($72 million)

Another LIV golfer, Koepka returned to form this year. After leading the Masters heading to Sunday but not getting it done, Koepka won the PGA Championship for his fifth major championshp.

17. Cameron Smith ($67 Million)

The 2022 winner of the Open Championship is a big star back in his homeland of Australia. And, the former world-number-one got a huge payout to join LIV.

16. Tiger Woods ($75.1 Million)

Tiger Woods played just two tournaments this year, and had to withdraw from the Masters in April after making yet another cut at the event. But, an incredible $60 million in endorsement money keeps the world’s most famous golfer on the list.

15. Rory McIlroy ($80.8 Million)

Whether he likes it or not, McIlroy is the face of the PGA Tour as Tiger’s health has declined. McIlroy was blindsided by the PGA Tour-LIV merger announced this year, but I think his earnings this year can help him get over it.

14. Russell Westbrook ($82.1 Million)

The NBA legend’s career is winding now, but he’s still making an incredible amount of money. His $47.1 million salary is buoyed by an impressive $35 million in endorsement money.

T12. Russell Wilson ($85 Million)

It’s a great time to be an NFL quarterback, as salaries have exploded for the position in the last few years. Russell Wilson appears well past his prime, but his massive contract with the Denver Broncos has him earning $72 million from the team this year.

T12. Neymar ($85 Million)

As I said in the first slide, this is one of the numbers that is different now. Neymar signed a massive deal with Saudi club Al-Hilal during the summer that will pay him significantly more than Forbes’ listed number. Currently, he’s not playing anywhere, as he tore his ACL while playing for the Brazilian national team this fall.

11. Giannis Antetokounmpo ($87.6 Million)

The “Greek Freak” has grown into a kid from Athens into one of the biggest marketing powerhouses in all of sports. The two-time MVP is actually making more money from endorsements, $45 million, than his salary, $42.6 million.

10. Kevin Durant ($89.1 Million)

The NBA legend and current Phoenix Suns forward would like to win another NBA title or two to truly cement himself as one of the best handful of players to ever play the game. In the meantime, he’s making a ton of money, with a near-equal share coming from on-court earning and endorsements.

9. Reger Federer ($95.1 Million)

Roger Federer has retired from competitive tennis, but that doesn’t mean the 20-time Grand Slam champion is done earning money. He made a whopping $95 million from endorsements from companies like Uniqlo, Rolex, and Mercedes-Benz.

8. Stephen Curry ($100.4 Million)

The other Splash Brother revolutionized the way basketball is played, from youth basketball to the NBA. The two-time MVP and four-time champion is raking in over $50 million from endorsements, led by a deal with Under Armour that has paid off handsomely for both parties.

7. Phil Mickelson ($106 million)

Mickelson used to make as much money as anyone from endorsements with companies like KPMG and Callaway Golf. After aligning with LIV, he’s persona non grata for sponsors. Thankfully for him, he has nine-figure earnings from LIV to more than make up for it.

6. Dustin Johnson ($107 Million)

Another LIV golfer, Johnson is one of the biggest coups LIV scored when they were recruiting golfers to the rival tour. The two-time major champion won the LIV tournament in Tulsa in May.

5. Canelo Alvarez ($110 Million)

The undisputed Super Middleweight champion of the world fought twice in 2023, winning twice by unanimous decision. He’s arguably the biggest draw in title-fight boxing right now, and his nine-figure earnings back it up.

4. LeBron James ($119.5 Million)

No matter what side of the Jordan-LeBron debate you come down on, there’s no denying James’ greatness. The NBA’s all-time leading scorer and four-time NBA champion has long been an earnings powerhouses. He’s making $75 million from endorsements this year.

3. Kylian Mbappé ($120 Million)

The PSG and France star had an absolutely sensational World Cup Final in 2022, scoring a hat trick in France’s shootout loss to the guy right ahead of him on this list. He’s been trying to force a sale from PSG to Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid. In the meantime, he’s making money hand over fist.

2. Lionel Messi ($130 Million)

Lionel Messi took a huge step forward in the GOAT debate when he won the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina, crossing off the last major trophy or award he hadn’t won. Now, he’s playing for MLS side Inter Miami, where he’s an absolute phenom in the USA.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo ($136 Million)

Cristiano Ronaldo is the most-followed person on Instagram with 610 million followers. That demonstrates the reach of the world’s most famous athlete. No one moves the needled more than Ronaldo, who is playing for Saudi club Al-Nassr. That adds up to making more money than any athlete in the world this year as the 38-year-old’s career winds down.