What Sport Pays the Most? Ranking the Highest-Paying Sports Worldwide

Sports are a form of physical and entertaining activity that is not limited by language or geopolitical barriers. With billions of fans engaging with it globally, sports is a very lucrative industry. So, whether you want to be a sports player one day or you’re simply a curious fan who wants to know which sport pays the most, then you’ve come to the right place.

It’s important to note that regardless of the sport, the amount it can pay players depends on the amount of revenue it generates. Similarly, the amount a player receives depends on the league they play, level of skill, and experience, amongst other factors. But while there is no one fixed amount sports players get, some sports are known to pay more than others. So, in this article, we are going to be ranking the highest average-paying sports globally for 2024. 

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Top 7 highest-paid sports: How much players earn?

The question “What sport makes the most money?” is relative, as the minimum salary or salary cap professional athletes earn is dependent on several factors. Amongst many factors influencing how much professional sports players earn is their skills. As Shaquille O’Neal once said, “Excellence is not a singular act but a habit; you are what you do repeatedly.”

For athletes, playing professional sports is very rewarding. Athletes not only earn money but also win custom medals that symbolize honor. Custom Medals come in a variety of materials and shapes, such as the traditional round shape, special shapes that match the theme of the event, etc. Custom medals are engraved with the logo of the event, the time of the event, and patterns that symbolize victory, etc.

Custom medals are not just a piece of metal, but also a testimony to the hard work and outstanding achievements of athletes. Custom medals have unique commemorative

significance for athletes. As long as athletes see the medals, they can recall the good memories of the competition.

League 

Performance bonuses

Sponsorships

Endorsement deals

Sales of merchandize

Ticket sales

Fan loyalty

Global appeal

So, below, we will discuss in depth the top 7 highest average paying sports globally based on the annual average player salaries, endorsement deals, and sponsorship deals. 

Soccer (Global Leagues)

Soccer is by far one of the most popular sports globally, with an estimated fanbase of over 3.5 billion. Because of such a massive fanbase engaging with sports leagues like the Premier League, UEFA, and FIFA, the sport is able to generate enough revenue to support its players.

In 2024, the global soccer market generated $3.5 billion and is expected to generate up to $4.7 billion by 2033. As such, football players are one of the highest-paid athletes, with an average salary of $32,476 per year. According to research from Statista on the highest-paid athletes in soccer, Cristiano Ronaldo emerged as the highest-earning soccer player globally in 2024, earning around 260 million U.S. dollars annually. Coming next is Lionel Messi, earning around $135 million per year.

Due to the immense popularity of soccer, the industry attracts a huge number of sponsors, including those from the gaming industry. Casino companies actively cooperate with athletes, teams and even clubs. For example, the popular Brazilian soccer player Neymar is an avid poker fan.

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Basketball (NBA)

Basketball is one of the highest paid sports in the industry, with tournaments like the NBA, FIBA, CBA, and the Asia League, amongst others, commanding an immense global audience. Basketball is a multi-billion dollar sport, with many basketball players making hundreds of millions annually.

Top NBA players like LeBron James earn up to $128.2 million per year, and Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors earns a base salary of $55.76 million per year from contracts and endorsements from the likes of Nike, Coca-Cola, Upper Deck, and so on. On average, NBA salaries are about $10.82 million per year. 

American Football (NFL)

American Football is no doubt one of the biggest sports in North America. Led by the National Football League (NFL), the most famous North American sports football league in the world. In 2023, the league generated over $18.7 billion in revenue, of which a significant portion comes from broadcasting rights.

American football players are well paid, with the highest-paid American footballer, Lamar Jackson, earning around $100.5 million annually, and popular Dallas Cowboys star Dak Prescott earning an average annual salary of $60 million. The average salary of American footballers is around $2.8 million per year.

Baseball (MLB)

Baseball is another extremely popular sport spearheaded by Major League Baseball. To put it in a clearer perspective, the MLB alone amasses over 171.1 million fans. Furthermore, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 13 million Americans play baseball.

It is a lucrative sport generating billions on a yearly basis, as it recorded over $11 billion in revenue in 2023. The average salary of an MLB player is approximately $52,000 per year. However, there are players like Shohei Ohtani, the highest-paid baseball player, who receives an annual salary of roughly $85.3 million.

MMA Fighters

Pro boxers and MMA fighters are another set of well-paid athletes in the sports industry. Similar to other sports, the amount of excitement fighters prior to the fight influences how much they get paid.

That’s why pro fighter Floyd Mayweather Jr once said, "He can have a heart, he can hit harder, and he can be stronger, but there's no fighter smarter than me." Smart fighters understand that major bouts attract more pay-per-view audience.

An average MMA fighter’s annual salary is approximately $150,249. But within the same industry, some pro fighters like Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov get paid in the hundreds of millions. In 2021, Conor McGregor was the highest-paid professional athlete globally, earning approximately $180 million.

Formula 1 

Car racing, particularly Formula 1, is another well-paid sport filled with the thrill of high speed, high earning, and high stakes. Car racing is popular for events like Moto GP and NASCAR, as they have a massive fanbase making it a profitable sport. 

Most Formula 1 and NASCAR drivers get paid well, but the average salaries range from $43,879 to $92,610 per year. However, top Formula 1 racers like Lewis Hamilton earn $55 million annually, and NASCAR driver Kyle Busch earns over $16.9 million annually.

Ice Hockey (NHL)

This list won’t be complete without mentioning the NHL. Ice hockey might not have a massive fanbase like other sports in most countries, but it is well-represented in the few countries that appreciate it. 

As one of the most lucrative sports on our list, Ice Hockey generated over $6.3 billion in 2023-2024. It is such a prominent sport that hockey players often take top positions in the Forbes highest-paid athletes for the year. 

While the national average annual salary of an ice hockey player is around $77,300. But top hockey players like Connor McDavid are among the highest-paid players, earning over $12 million annually.

Conclusion

In summary, revenue generation is the key determinant for any sport that pays the most. The most successful sports financially aren’t solely dependent on the amount of tickets and merchandise sold. Behind-the-scene there are several other business dealing that generates revenue for the sports such as sponsorships, endorsements, broadcasting rights, and so on. Currently, the most paid athletes are footballers in the global league. But with the sport industry constantly evolving, its very likely the ranking in this article will change in the nearest future. 

I (AKA CatBurg) have a lifelong passion for sports, especially football and basketball. I enjoy the thrill and excitement of sports betting and everything in between. My teams are (Packers #GoPackGo) and who I am betting on!