Overview

• The 2025 Forbes list of the world’s highest-paid athletes set a record with $4.23 billion in combined earnings, a 9% increase from the previous year.
• Cristiano Ronaldo claimed the top spot for the third year in a row and fifth time overall, earning $275 million, driven by his Al-Nassr salary and endorsements.
• Stephen Curry ranked second with $156 million, becoming the first NBA player to surpass LeBron James as the league's highest-paid athlete in over a decade.
• Boxer Tyson Fury secured third place with $135 million, bolstered by endorsement deals and his Netflix reality show despite losing his heavyweight titles in December.
• The list includes athletes from seven sports, with basketball leading in representation (16 athletes), followed by football (13) and soccer (8), and a record $53.6 million as the cutoff for inclusion.