Sports
The Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes in the World 2025: Salaries, Net Worth & Total Earnings
The Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes in the World 2025: Salaries, Net Worth & Total Earnings.
In 2025, the world’s top athletes not only excel in their sports but also dominate global earnings through salaries, endorsements, and business ventures. Forbes reports that these 10 athletes earned a combined $1.4 billion this year, setting new records. This article ranks the highest-paid athletes of 2025 from #10 to #1, providing detailed insights into their earnings, career highlights, and net worth.
#10 Kevin Durant: NBA Star with Lucrative Endorsements
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Age | 36 |
| Nationality | U.S. |
| On-Field Salary | $51.4 million |
| Off-Field Earnings | $50 million |
| Total Earnings | $101.4 million |
Kevin Durant, a top NBA player for the Phoenix Suns, continues to generate massive income from his $51.4 million salary and $50 million in endorsements. Durant’s investments in Homage and his media company Boardroom have expanded his off-court empire. His net worth currently sits at an estimated $300 Million.
#9 Shohei Ohtani: Baseball’s Two-Way Sensation
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Age | 30 |
| Nationality | Japan |
| On-Field Salary | $2.5 million |
| Off-Field Earnings | $100 million |
| Total Earnings | $102.5 million |
Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers’ superstar, earned $2.5 million on the field but raked in $100 million through endorsements with major global brands. His unique talent as a pitcher and hitter, coupled with massive marketability, makes him one of baseball’s highest earners. His net worth currently sits at an estimated $150 Million.
#8 Karim Benzema: Saudi Pro League’s Top Earner
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Age | 37 |
| Nationality | France |
| On-Field Salary | $100 million |
| Off-Field Earnings | $4 million |
| Total Earnings | $104 million |
Karim Benzema’s move to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad club secured him a $100 million salary. Though quieter off the pitch, Benzema remains an Adidas endorser and is rumored to consider an MLS move ahead of 2026. His net worth currently sits at an estimated $200 Million.
#7 Juan Soto: MLB’s Rising Star with Historic Contract
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Age | 26 |
| Nationality | Dominican Republic |
| On-Field Salary | $109 million |
| Off-Field Earnings | $5 million |
| Total Earnings | $114 million |
Juan Soto’s $765 million Mets contract is historic, making him a financial powerhouse in MLB. His endorsements with Celsius and Call of Duty boost his income alongside his on-field performance. His net worth currently sits at an estimated $100 Million.
#6 LeBron James: Basketball Legend and Billionaire Entrepreneur
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Age | 40 |
| Nationality | U.S. |
| On-Field Salary | $48.8 million |
| Off-Field Earnings | $85 million |
| Total Earnings | $133.8 million |
LeBron James continues to dominate both on the court and in business, with $48.8 million in salary and $85 million in endorsements. His SpringHill production company is a leading player in sports media. His net worth currently sits at an estimated $1.2 Billion.
#5 Lionel Messi: MLS Icon and Global Superstar
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Age | 37 |
| Nationality | Argentina |
| On-Field Salary | $60 million |
| Off-Field Earnings | $75 million |
| Total Earnings | $135 million |
Messi’s impact on MLS and his $60 million contract with Inter Miami elevate him among the top earners worldwide. His business ventures and endorsements amplify his financial influence. His net worth currently sits at an estimated $850 Million.
#4 Dak Prescott: NFL’s Highest-Paid Quarterback
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Age | 31 |
| Nationality | U.S. |
| On-Field Salary | $127 million |
| Off-Field Earnings | $10 million |
| Total Earnings | $137 million |
Dak Prescott’s record-breaking NFL contract and strong endorsements make him one of football’s richest players. His contract restructuring maximized his earnings in 2025. His net worth currently sits at an estimated $90 Million.
#3 Tyson Fury: Boxing’s Heavyweight Champion and Media Personality
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Age | 36 |
| Nationality | U.K. |
| On-Field Salary | $140 million |
| Off-Field Earnings | $6 million |
| Total Earnings | $146 million |
Tyson Fury remains a top earner in boxing, earning $140 million from fights and media deals. His Netflix show and tourism promotion contracts bolster his off-ring income. His net worth currently sits at an estimated $160 Million.
#2 Stephen Curry: NBA’s Most Lucrative Contract Ever
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Age | 37 |
| Nationality | U.S. |
| On-Field Salary | $56 million |
| Off-Field Earnings | $100 million |
| Total Earnings | $156 million |
Stephen Curry set new NBA earnings records with his $56 million salary and $100 million endorsements. His Under Armour sneaker deal and media projects make him a financial juggernaut. His net worth currently sits at an estimated $240 Million.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo: The World’s Highest-Paid Athlete in 2025
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Age | 40 |
| Nationality | Portugal |
| On-Field Salary | $225 million |
| Off-Field Earnings | $50 million |
| Total Earnings | $275 million |
Cristiano Ronaldo tops the 2025 list with $275 million in earnings, fueled by a record-breaking salary at Al-Nassr and diverse business investments. His global brand remains unmatched. His net worth currently sits at an estimated $1.45 Billion.
Conclusion: The Future of Athlete Earnings Looks Bright
The highest-paid athletes in 2025 showcase the blend of extraordinary talent, marketability, and entrepreneurship. From basketball courts to soccer fields, their earnings reflect the growing commercial value of sports worldwide. With endorsements, media ventures, and savvy investments, these athletes continue to set financial milestones, inspiring the next generation of sports stars and entrepreneurs alike.
Sports
NCAA Volleyball Regional Schedule Set
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The fourth-seeded Indiana volleyball team (25-7, 14-6 B1G) will play in the Sweet 16 for just the second time in program history. The NCAA announced start times and dates for next week’s regional semifinals on Sunday (Dec. 7) afternoon. The Hoosiers will play top-seeded Texas at Gregory Gymnasium on Friday (Dec. 12) afternoon at Noon ET on ESPN.
Following the greatest regular season in program history, IU was awarded a top-16 national seed and the chance to host the opening two rounds of the NCAA Tournament. The Hoosiers made quick work of their first two matchups, sweeping Toledo and fifth-seeded Colorado in Bloomington to advance to the Sweet 16.
IU is one of five Big Ten programs remaining in the NCAA Tournament. Of the 16 schools left in the big dance, IU is one of two teams (Cal Poly) that didn’t make the big dance last year. The Hoosiers have already set a single-season program record for wins (25) and will attempt to advance to the regional final for the first time in program history.
The other matchup in the Austin Regional will pit second-seeded Stanford and third-seeded Wisconsin against each other. Their match will begin 30 minutes after the conclusion of IU’s. The winners of both regional semifinals will meet on Sunday (Dec. 14) afternoon for a spot in the national semifinals in Kansas City.
Sports
Louisville volleyball NCAA Tournament bracket, Texas A&M vs UofL game
Dec. 6, 2025Updated Dec. 7, 2025, 6:08 a.m. ET
After defeating Marquette 3-2 in the second round of the NCAA Volleyball Tournament on Saturday night, No. 2 Louisville will travel to Lincoln, Nebraska, and take on No. 3 Texas A&M in the Sweet 16 at 7 p.m. Friday.
This will be the Cardinals’ seventh consecutive regional appearance but first with Dan Meske as head coach.
Here’s everything you need to know to keep up with the match from home:
No. 2 seed Louisville versus No. 3 seed Texas A&M will be broadcast live on ESPN or ESPN2.
Authenticated subscribers can access ESPN2 via TV-connected devices or by going to WatchESPN.com or the WatchESPN app.
Those without cable can access ESPN2 via streaming services, with Fubo offering a free trial.
Buy Louisville volleyball tickets here
After defeating Marquette, UofL will play Texas A&M in the Lincoln, Nebraska, Regional Friday at 7 pm. Here’s a look at the tournament schedule:
- First and second rounds: Dec. 4-6
- Regionals: Dec. 11-14
- Semifinals: Dec. 18 at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri
- Championship: Dec. 21 at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri
Click here to view the complete bracket.
- Aug. 29: Louisville 3, Auburn 0
- Aug. 31: Louisville 3, Morehead State 0
- Sept. 1: Louisville 3, St. John’s 0
- Sept. 7: Louisville 3, Illinois 1
- Sept. 10: Texas 3, Louisville 2
- Sept. 12: Louisville 3, Creighton 1
- Sept. 13: Louisville 3, UNI 1
- Sept. 14: Louisville 3, Rice 1
- Sept. 18: Kentucky 3, Louisville 2
- Sept. 22: Louisville 3, Western Kentucky 0
- Sept. 26: Louisville 3, Boston College 0
- Sept. 28: Louisville 3, Syracuse 0
- Oct. 3: Louisville 3, California 0
- Oct. 5: Louisville 3, Stanford 1
- Oct. 10: Louisville 3, Virginia Tech 0
- Oct. 12: Louisville 3, Virginia 1
- Oct. 17: SMU 3, Louisville 2
- Oct. 19: Pitt 3, Louisville 2
- Oct. 24: Louisville 3, Duke 0
- Oct. 26: Louisville 3, North Carolina 1
- Oct. 29: Louisville 3, Notre Dame 0
- Nov. 1: Louisville 3, Notre Dame 0
- Nov. 7: Louisville 3, N.C. State 0
- Nov. 9: Louisville 3, Wake Forest 1
- Nov. 13: Louisville 3, Florida State 1
- Nov. 16: Louisville 3, Miami 2
- Nov. 21: Louisville 3, Georgia Tech 1
- Nov. 23: Louisville 3, Clemson 0
- Nov. 26: Pitt 3, Louisville 0
- Nov. 29: Stanford 3, Louisville 2
- Dec. 5: Louisville 3, Loyola Chicago 0 (NCAA Tournament First Round)
- Dec. 6: Louisville 3, Marquette 2 (NCAA Tournament Second Round)
- Dec. 11: Louisville vs. Texas A&M (NCAA Tournament Regional Round)
Reach college sports enterprise reporter Payton Titus at ptitus@gannett.com and follow her on X @petitus25. Subscribe to her “Full-court Press” newsletter here for a behind-the-scenes look at how college sports’ biggest stories are impacting Louisville and Kentucky athletics.
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The Omaha World-Herald’s Nebraska All-Class volleyball teams
Sports
Men’s T&F Opens Season at Diplomat Open
Lancaster, PA (December 6, 2025) – The DeSales University men’s track & field team opened the 2025-26 indoor T&F season competing at the Diplomat Open at Franklin & Marshall College on Friday.
The Bulldogs posted 10 MAC qualfying times/marks in the meet.
Among the qualifying times were junior Bryce Guthier taking second in the 400-meters with a time of 52.08. It is the fifth fastest time in indoor history. Senior Davis Trump also qualified in the 5K with a time of 16:20.32.
In the field events, DSU posted eight qualfying marks. Junior Weston Simak qualified for the MAC Championships in both the long jump (6.52m) and triple jump (13.72m). His triple jump mark was the second best in team history. First-year Luke Heimann also qualfied in the triple jump (11.86m).
Junior Jonathan Castronovo took home first place in the long jump with a mark of 6.58m, the second best long jump in team history.
First-year John Amoretti qualified in the shot put (12.33m), seniors Jonathan Eudja and Giovanni Wellington qualified in the weight throw with marks of 14.85m and 14.23m. First-year Ryan Rodriguez also quallified in the weight throw (11.89m).
The Bulldogs won’t return to action till the New Year at the Blue and Grey Invitational on Jan. 17th.
Sports
Women’s Track & Field Turns in Multiple High Marks to Begin Season at Cornell
RESULTS
ITHACA, N.Y. –
The Ithaca College women’s track & field team opened its 2025-26 season over the weekend as the Bombers made the short trip across town to compete in the Greg Page Relays hosted by Cornell University on December 5-6.
Lola Gitlin posted a time of 10:25.57 in the 3000-meter run to finish third overall.
Rachel Larson was a fourth place finisher with a time of 8.58 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles. That time is currently No. 1 in Division III after the opening weekend of the season.
Aynisha McQuillar took fifth in the 200-meter dash in a time of 26.61 seconds. McQuillar also ran in the 60-meter dash and posted the 11th fastest time in DIII during the prelim with a performance of 7.78 seconds.
Lyla Powers was fifth in the 500-meter dash with a time of 1:21.75.
Lily Seyfert claimed fifth in the shot put with a heave of 12.78 meters, which is currently ninth in the nation.
Bree Boyle and Erin Eastwood each cleared 3.54 meters in the pole vault, which is tied for 11th on the Division III performance list.
Alexis Brown turned in a leap of 11.02 meters in the triple jump for the 17th best mark in the country.
Ithaca is off for the remainder of 2025 and will return to Cornell on January 10 for the Southern Tier Invitational.
Sports
Men’s Track & Field Opens Indoor Season at Cornell Greg Page Relays
RESULTS
ITHACA, N.Y. –
The Ithaca College men’s track & field team opened its 2025-26 season over the weekend as the Bombers made the short trip across town to compete in the Greg Page Relays hosted by Cornell University on December 5-6.
Anik Vossschulte claimed third in the 200-meter dash in a time of 23.32 seconds, while Jacob Antilety was seventh at 23.71 seconds.
Matt Lokshin posted a time of 8.65 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles to place third in the event. Aidan Irwin took fourth in the high jump with a mark of 1.70 meters.
Quinten Lewis posted a mark of 13.73 meters in the triple jump to place fourth and Sebastien-Oliver Lacrete was sixth at 12.68 meters, while Evan Cherry secured fifth in the long jump with a leap of 6.84 meters.
IC’s 4×400-meter relay team of Damian Simmonds, Griffin Lupes, Noah McKibben and George Nilson placed sixth in 3:34.49.
Luke Ellor finished sixth in the shot put with a mark of 14.40 meters.
Three Bombers finished within the top eight in the 500-meter dash as Brad Kellogg was sixth in 1:09.73, Peter Tysiak followed in seventh with 1:10.74 and Matthew DeJulio was next at 1:11.59.
Kaiden Chandler and Luke Ferrer posted times of 4:41.29 and 4:53.44 in the mile to finish in seventh and eighth.
Raf Campanile was seventh in the pole vault with a clearance of 4.25 meters.
Ithaca is off for the remainder of 2025 and will return to Cornell on January 10 for the Southern Tier Invitational.
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