15 Sports That Will Turn Athletes Into Multimillionaires in 2025
2025 is proving that sports aren’t just about competition–they also reward athletes with some serious cash. These athletes are raking in fortunes that rival Hollywood stars and tech moguls, thanks to skyrocketing salaries, sponsorship deals, and record-breaking prize pools. But which sports are making athletes extremely rich this year? Buckle up because we’re breaking down the 15 highest-paying sports in 2025.
Soccer (Football)
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Soccer is still the goldmine of sports, with European clubs, Saudi leagues, and MLS throwing absurd amounts of money at top talent. Cristiano Ronaldo, for instance, is raking in $285 million. At the same time, Messi’s Inter Miami deal keeps him among the highest-paid athletes. With global TV deals worth billions, it’s no wonder the biggest names in soccer live like royalty.
Baseball (MLB)
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Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million deal sent shockwaves through sports and proved that baseball teams are willing to pay absurd sums for top talent. Players don’t just get paid for what they do on the field; they also shoot endorsements, merchandise sales, and long-term sponsorships. MLB’s deep pockets and guaranteed contracts give players financial security for years.
Formula 1 (F1)
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Speed pays. Just ask Max Verstappen, who’s making over $65 million a year tearing up the track. Formula 1 is a billion-dollar industry with sponsorships, TV rights, and eye-watering prize money. Drivers land deals with brands like Red Bull, Rolex, and Puma, which essentially turns them into walking advertisements worth millions.
Golf
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Golfers are cashing checks that make Wall Street employees jealous. Thanks to the LIV Golf League throwing around Saudi-backed millions, guys like Jon Rahm are pulling in $218 million annually. PGA Tour players also rake in serious money, with prize purses growing every season.
Tennis
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Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Iga Świątek are dominating both the court and their bank accounts. Apart from games, the real money comes from endorsements like Nike, Wilson, and luxury brands, which pour cash into the sport’s biggest stars. Tennis players also benefit from longevity, with veterans earning well into their 30s.
Boxing
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Boxing remains one of the most lucrative sports. Pay-per-view sales, sponsorships, and endorsement deals turn champions into multimillionaires overnight. Big promotions like Matchroom and Top Rank constantly set up blockbuster fights and draw millions of viewers with insane payouts. Even retired legends like Floyd Mayweather still cash in on exhibition matches.
Basketball (NBA)
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LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Giannis Antetokounmpo are stacking tens of millions in salary alone, but the real magic happens off the court. Sneaker deals with Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour push top players past the $100 million mark yearly. New media rights deals are pumping even more money by raising salary caps and making superstars richer.
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
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UFC fighters may take a beating, but the best get paid handsomely. Conor McGregor, Israel Adesanya, and Sean O’Malley are pocketing millions per fight, with pay-per-view sales driving their bank accounts through the roof. Fighters with prominent personalities make even more through whiskey brands, energy drink deals, and apparel lines.
Ice Hockey (NHL)
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The NHL might not have the most significant contracts in sports, but top players still make bank. Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, and Nathan MacKinnon are pulling in eight-figure salaries, with endorsement deals adding to the mix. The sport’s international appeal keeps the money flowing.
Wrestling (WWE)
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WWE superstars like Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins make millions in guaranteed salaries, plus bonuses from merchandise sales and pay-per-view events. Wrestlers are seeing even bigger payouts, with WWE now part of a $21 billion merger with UFC. The most popular wrestlers can transition into Hollywood for even more income.
Track & Field (Athletics)
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The Olympics may only happen every four years, but the top athletes cash in all year. Stars like Noah Lyles and Sydney McLaughlin have brand deals worth millions, while world record-holders can negotiate even bigger payouts. Prize money from Diamond League events and World Championships adds to the earnings.
Swimming
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Being fast in the water can also mean swimming in cash. Olympic champions like Caeleb Dressel and Katie Ledecky rake in sponsorships from brands like Speedo and Gatorade. The best athletes can also turn their Olympic success into lucrative deals.
Esports (Competitive Gaming)
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Who knew playing video games could be this profitable? Top esports players are winning millions in prize money, sponsorships, and streaming deals. Gamers like Faker (League of Legends) and Bugha (Fortnite) have turned their skills into multimillion-dollar careers. Twitch and YouTube gaming provide passive income through ads and donations.
Horse Racing (Jockeys)
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Jockeys may be small, but their earnings are anything but. Winning the Kentucky Derby or Dubai World Cup can mean multimillion-dollar prize money and many sponsorships. Top jockeys like Frankie Dettori have long careers and consistent paychecks.
Gymnastics
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Olympic champions land multimillion-dollar endorsement deals with brands, adding up with prize money from competitions, and then there are sponsorships, speaking engagements, and even TV appearances. With gymnastics’ viral moments taking over social media, the biggest names in the sport have more opportunities than ever to turn their talent into wealth.