The sports industry is a goldmine, with top athletes amassing wealth from salaries, a global fan base, TV broadcasting rights, ticket sales, sponsorships, and merchandise.

The emotional bond fans have with sports allows companies to charge premium prices for experiences and products, enhancing marketing and advertising opportunities across various platforms.

Consequently, professional athletes’ wealth has skyrocketed to unimaginable levels. But who tops the list as the world’s richest sports star?

Sportico analyzed the highest-earning athletes using research, earnings estimates based on conversations with industry insiders, and historical estimates by Forbes and Sports Illustrated, among others.