Sports people earn huge amounts of cash, which is commensurate to the amount of money they generate. The world’s leading leagues, such as the English Premier League, the NFL, and the NBA, feature the most prominent athletes who dominate the list of the highest-paid individuals in the realm of sports and entertainment. They are also betting options in the top casinos where bettors have made significant winnings courtesy of their successes. You can go to the Vulkanbet casino and try your luck in sports betting.
Players make money through on-the-field and off-the-field activities like endorsements and sponsorships. They are linked to the biggest brands since they offer the most effective form of marketing. Here is an overview of the top 6 highest-paid people in the world by rank:
- Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is the richest and, perhaps, the most successful footballer of recent times. He is an Argentinian player who plays for Paris Saint Germain (PSG), the champions of the French Ligue 1. Messi enjoyed a long and successful stint at the Spanish giants Barcelona, where he won 34 trophies, including 3 UEFA Champions Leagues and 10 La Liga cups. Recently, he won the World Cup as captain. In 2022, he earned $130 million, $55 million off-field and $75 Million on-field. His endorsements include Adidas, PepsiCo, Budweiser, and Socios.
- LeBron James
We now switch gears to NBA to meet LeBron, the greatest basketballer of recent times. He is an American player currently playing for LA Lakers. His dominance has earned him the name King James and is often compared with Michael Jordan. He has scored more points than anyone else in the NBA and boasts of four championships and multiple MVP awards. LeBron has also excelled off the field with talk shows and investments. He earned $121.2 Million last year, 80 off the field and 41.2 on the field.
- Cristiano Ronaldo
There is a never-ending debate between Ronaldo and Messi: who is the greatest of all time? The only reason why it is settled here is because of the availability of the numbers. He is a Portuguese player who currently plays for Al Nassr club in Saudi Arabia. His second stint at Manchester United was murky, but he certainly enjoyed a successful first stint where he won 3 consecutive Premier Leagues and a Champions League title. He moved to Real Madrid and Juventus, where he also won titles. He hit $115 Million, $55 Million off-field and $60 Million on field. His endorsements include Herbalife, Clear Shampoo, and Nike. His social media presence is also mind-blowing.
- Neymar
This is a sensational footballer who is Messi’s teammate at PSG. He was part of perhaps the most lethal attack in football where he partnered with Messi and Luis Suarez in Barcelona between 2014 and 2015. He is Brazil’s top scorer and is often compared to the legend Pele. Neymar has also enjoyed financial success in his career. He garnered 95 Million dollars in 2022, 25 off the field and 70 on the pitch. He has endorsements with Red Bull and Puma, and his story is going to feature in a Netflix docuseries soon.
- Stephen Curry
Steph Curry is an American NBA player who currently plays for Golden State Warriors. He is among the greatest basketballers and nothing tells the tale more than his shooting record. He boasts of four championships and multiple MVPs. Curry has broken the record for the highest number of three pointers in a season thrice in his career. He recently beat the NBA record for career 3-pointers surpassing Ray Allen’s record. Steph earns the biggest salary in the NBA. In 2022, he made 45.8 Million US dollars on the field and 47M off-field. He also has amazing endorsements.
- Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant seals off this list of the top six highest-paid sportspeople in the world. He is also an American NBA player currently playing for the Phoenix Suns. Durant started his professional career with Seattle Supersonics, then to Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets, and finally to the Suns. He is a prolific scorer who has enjoyed great success in his career. Kevin boasts of a couple of MVP awards and 2 NBA championships. He earned $92.1 Million in 2022 with on-field earnings of 42.1 million and 50 Million off the field. His endorsement deals include Nike, Weedmaps, NBA Top Shot, Thirty Five Ventures, and Boardroom.
These are the top six most successful sportspeople of recent times. Others worth mentioning include Roger Federer, Canelo Alvarez, Tom Brady, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. The total earnings are a result of their salaries, bonuses, endorsements, and other businesses. All these athletes are masters of their craft and have honed their skills over time. Let us wait and see whether they will maintain the same trajectory.
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