Forbes’ list of the 50 highest-paid athletes in the world is again loaded with African American players in a variety of sports.
The monetary figure for each player combines team contracts, endorsements and other income, and it includes many familiar names from the NBA.
The list illuminates — aside from Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson — that having a fun personality and steering clear of legal and/or personal problems pays off in sizable endorsement deals.
Leading the Top 10 is soccer superstar Christiano Ronaldo at $275 million in total earnings, ($225M in on-field earnings and $50M in off-field earnings) Following him is Golden State Warrior guard Stephen Curry at $156 million ($56M, $100M).
Rounding out the top five are boxer Tyson Fury of England ($146M; $140M, $6M); Dak Prescott ($137M; $127M, $10M) and Lionel Messi ($135M; $60M, $75M).
Topping the next five is LeBron James at $133.8 million ($48.8M, $85M). Closing the Top 10 are Juan Soto ($114M; $109M, $5M), Karim Benzema (French soccer player $104M; $100M, $4M), Shohei Ohtani ($102.5M; $2.5M, $100M), Kevin Durant ($101.4M; $51.4M, $50M).
Ohtani’s L.A. Dodgers contract is backloaded, meaning he could be on this list for years to come.
Within the Top 25, there are many players of color with recognizable names.
13. Giannis Antetokounmpo ($94.4M; $49.4M, $45M), 15. Deshaun Watson ($91.8M; $90.8M, $1M). 18. Patrick Mahomes ($86.8M; $58.8M, $28M), 19. Jordan Love ($83M; $79M, $4M), 22. F-1 driver Lewis Hamilton ($80M; $60M, $20M).
There are no women in the Forbes Top 50, which demonstrates that underpaying female athletes is not only prevalent in the United States — it’s international.
Coco Gauff, reigning French Open champion, is the highest paid female athlete in the world, according to Forbes’ ranking of tennis players.
With endorsements, the two-time Grand Slam tournament winner makes $37.2 million and ranks third behind Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
That figure will rise based on her performance in the U.S. Open, which is underway in New York.
St. Louis native Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics did not make the Top 50 in 2025, but his contract extension does not begin until the start of the 2025-26 NBA season in October.
Tatum will begin earning $54.2 million annually, and he has partnerships with Jordan Brand, Gatorade, Subway, Ruffles and NBA 2K. Forbes estimates he makes up to $13 million a year in endorsements.
At $67.2 million, Tatum would rank 30th on this year’s list. Bradley Beal, another St. Louisan in the NBA, is ranked 40th on the 2025 list at $58.2 million ($50.2M, $8M).
The Reid Roundup
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