Cristiano Ronaldo Tops Athlete Earnings List, No Women in Top 100
Cristiano Ronaldo has once again secured the top spot on the list of the world's highest-paid athletes, according to sports industry news site Sportico. The Portuguese footballer earned a staggering $260 million in 2024, with a hefty $215 million coming from his wages at Saudi Arabian soccer team Al-Nassr and an additional $45 million from endorsements.
Despite the impressive earnings of the top 100 athletes, which totaled $6.2 billion, there were no women represented in the list. The highest-earning female athlete was American tennis player Coco Gauff, who came in at $30.4 million, significantly lower than the $37.5 million earned by Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daniel Jones, who secured the 100th spot.
Ben Simmons was the only Australian to make the top 100, ranking 85th with a total of $41 million. He is the third-highest paid player on the LA Clippers, behind Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry followed Ronaldo on the list with $153.8 million, highlighting the significant gap between Ronaldo's earnings and the rest of the athletes. British boxer Tyson Fury and Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk rounded out the top three with $147 million and $122 million respectively.
The top five was completed by Inter Miami's Lionel Messi ($135 million) and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James ($133.2 million). The list included athletes from eight sports and 27 countries.
While no women made the top 100 this year, American tennis player Coco Gauff, at just 20 years old, has the potential to climb the ranks in the future. She earned $9.4 million in prize money in 2024 and has lucrative endorsement deals with New Balance and Head.
In previous years, other female athletes like Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams have topped the list of highest-paid female athletes, demonstrating the potential for women to achieve similar financial success in the sports world.
9 Comments
ZmeeLove
Even though Coco Gauff is doing great, it's ridiculous that her earnings are so much lower than the 100th male athlete. Equal pay now!
Marishka
It's time to stop celebrating lists that perpetuate the gender pay gap in sports. We need to demand change and push for more opportunities and rewards for female athletes.
Muchacho
It's great to see Coco Gauff on the rise. Her talent and potential are undeniable, and I'm sure she'll climb the ranks soon.
Pupsik
While the absence of women in the top 100 is concerning, it's encouraging to see young athletes like Gauff making strides and paving the way for future generations.
Marishka
It's important to acknowledge the achievements of all athletes, regardless of their gender. This list celebrates individual brilliance and athletic excellence.
Donatello
It's not surprising that Cristiano Ronaldo is at the top. But where are all the amazing female athletes who consistently bring their A-game? Where's the recognition for them?
Michelangelo
The sports industry needs to do a better job of promoting and supporting female athletes if we want to see them represented in the top 100.
Raphael
While it's great to see Stephen Curry's success, the vast gap between his earnings and Ronaldo's reveals a concerning trend in athlete pay.
Leonardo
It's important to remember that this list reflects earnings over the past year. The landscape of athlete pay can change rapidly in the future.