Rolling In Dough: These Are America's Richest Athletes

Making it into the top professional league in any sport is a dream come true for anyone. Athletes around the world, especially in the United States of America, get showered with lots of love, respect, and stardom. Yet, more importantly, they are paid huge sums of money for their talents on the field of play. So here are some of the highest-paid athletes in the country.

Dak Prescott - $107.5 Million

Dak Prescott is an American football player who plays in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys. As per estimates, he earned around $97.5 million from the league just last year. Just recently, he signed a $166 million extension contract with the Cowboys that also granted him a $66 million signing bonus.

These towering sums of money pushed him to the top spot in the league salaries leaderboard. Apart from this, Dak also has numerous sponsorships from big brands like Adidas, Beats Electronics, Panini, and Frito-Lay. All in all, Dak is the highest-paid athlete in the entire United States of America.

LeBron James - $96.5 Million

LeBron James, also referred to as ‘King James’ in the basketball community, is a famous basketballer known for his agility, game-reading abilities, and athleticism. He plays for the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA in the small forward position.

James is one of the superstars of the NBA and is under a four-year contract with the Lakers worth $153 million. Reportedly, LeBron took home around $31.5 million in salary from basketball this year. Moreover, he earned around $65 million from endorsements and sponsorships with big guns. If that’s not enough, LeBron also owns multiple pizza franchises, a media company, and a production company.

Tom Brady - $76 Million

Tom Brady is regarded as one of the most successful quarterbacks in NFL history. He is currently playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with whom he has an extension contract worth millions. He reportedly took home $45 million last year from showcasing his talents on the field for the Bucs.

In addition to that, the legendary quarterback also owns a lifestyle brand called TB12, a production company called 199 Productions, and sponsorships with numerous renowned brands. Estimates reveal that he earned another $31 million from his ventures outside of football last year. He is undoubtedly among the highest-earning athletes in America.

Kevin Durant - $75 Million

Kevin Durant is one of the most respected basketballers in the present generation players. He plays for the Brooklyn Nets and has a four-year contract with the franchise worth around $164 million. Quite interestingly, although he makes millions annually from his performances on the court, he still manages to earn more from his business ventures.

Having said that, estimates reveal that he earned around $44 million last year from sponsorships with sports-related brands. Moreover, he also has well-paying investments in Postmates and a Major League Soccer team. All in all, Durant is ranked among the top 10 highest-paid athletes in the whole of America.

Stephen Curry - $74.5 Million

Stephen Curry, the American basketball player, is one of the true superstars of the NBA. He is a household name for his proficiency in making three-pointer shots and is credited with bringing about a change in the gameplay of the league.

He plays for the Golden State Warriors and has a four-year extension contract worth $215 million. He is considered as one of the highest-paid athletes in the present day NBA. Apart from in-court earnings, Steph also made around $44 million last year from sponsorships with tech giants and sports brands. The NBA champion has his own production company as well.

Tiger Woods - $60 Million

Tiger Woods is one of the biggest personalities in the world of golf. He earns an impressive amount annually both from sports as well as endorsements. For much of 2022, the golfer was missing in action due to injuries he sustained from a car accident. Still, he was able to earn about $60 million from various engagements.

He signed a contract with developers to use his image in the PGA Tour 2k video game franchise. In 2019, Tiger launched his own clubs with TaylorMade and has been making some decent money from it. All these are in addition to his earnings from sponsorships from brands like Nike, Rolex, and Monster Energy.

Russell Westbrook - $59 Million

Russell Westbrook is an NBA star who plays for the LA Lakers. In 2018, he signed a $206.8 million off-season contract which at that time was the largest ever in NBA history. Besides his 47.6 million annual salary, the star also earns millions of dollars in endorsements and sponsorships.

A ten-year contract signed with Jordan in 2017 made Russell the company's highest-paid athlete. Other companies he endorses are PepsiCo, Samsung Electronics, Six Star Pro Nutrition, and True Religion Apparel. Westbrook also owns the Honor the Gift clothing line and the Westbrook enterprises through which he invests in companies like Triller, Flow, Tulco, Tiger Global, etc.

Patrick Mahomes - $54.5 Million

Patrick Mahomes is on a $503 million ten-year contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs. He has now become the first professional athlete to sign a deal that's well over half a billion dollars. Patrick makes about $45 million in annual salaries and earns additional income from endorsing brands like Oakley, Essentia Water, Hy-Vee, State Farm, DirectTV, Adidas, and Head & Shoulders.

Besides these, he is also the first member of the Chiefs to be featured on the cover of Madden NFL 20. He joined the ownership of the Kansas City Royals where he is a minority owner. To cap it all, Mahomes has investments in several companies including the tech unicorn, Whoop.

James Harden - $51 Million

James Harden is a professional basketball player with the Brooklyn Nets. He signed a four-year contract with the team in 2017 and was earning about $47 million in annual salaries. In addition to this, the athlete is in partnership with several brands like Amazon, Beats, and State Farm Auto Insurance. He earns about $30 million annually from these endorsements.

In 2015, he signed a 13-year $200 million contract with Adidas which could also be renewed in the future. Harden's investment in the MLS team Houston Dynamo is also doing well. Its value climbed to $18 million in 2022 and would likely continue to increase as time goes on.

David Bakhitiari - $48.5 Million

David Bakhitiari is a professional footballer who plays defensive tackle in the NFL. He signed a four-year $48 million renewable contract with the Green Bay Packers in 2021 and it comes with a $15 million signing bonus. As of 2022, he was one of the highest-paid footballers in America, and in 2021 appeared as number 17 in the Forbes list of highest-paid athletes.

Of his total annual income, only about half a million dollars comes from brand endorsements. He is in partnership with several famous brands including Pepsi, Viking Waffles, Proactive (Skincare), and American Family Insurance.

Ronnie Stanley - $47.5 Million

Ronnie Stanley was selected sixth overall by Baltimore Ravens in the 2016 NFL Draft and received Pro-Bowl and All-Pro honors in 2019.

At the time of his drafting, he signed a $20.48 million rookie contract with them. In 2020, Stanley agreed to a five-year deal with the Ravens, which included a contract worth almost $100 million. For the 2021 season, he was the highest-paid player on the team, earning around $24 million in cash. While the left tackle doesn’t have many endorsement deals, he still makes a modest $500k from them.

Dustin Johnson - $44.5m

American professional golfer Dustin Johnson is one of the most prolific players in the sport and has reigned in the top spot for over 130 weeks. He has the 2016 US Open and 2020 Masters Tournament under his belt, as well as six World Golf Championships, just one shy of Tiger Woods.

Johnson clinched the FedEx Cup in 2020, along with the $15 million prize money that came with it. He decided to leave the PGA Tour and join LIV Golf in 2022, where he won the Liv Tour Championship, earning almost $36 million that year. His numerous sponsorships with brands like Adidas, BodyArmor, Perfect Practice, and TaylorMade also bring him millions of dollars.

Klay Thompson - $44.5 Million

Klay Thompson started his NBA career in the 2011 draft as the 11th overall pick by Golden State Warriors. As an accomplished shooter, he was instrumental in the team’s victory in the 2015 NBA Championship, their first one since 1975.

After a $69 million contract of four years with the Warriors, Stanley re-signed with them in 2019 for a deal worth $190 million over five years. A known face in the basketball world, the player earns a massive amount with endorsements from NERF, Activision Blizzard, Mercedes-Benz, and Waiakea Water. He is also under a ten-year deal worth $80 million with the Chinese shoe brand Anta.

Joey Bosa - $44 Million

Considered one of the top pass rushers in NFL, Joey Bosa began his football journey as third overall with Los Angeles Chargers in the 2016 NFL Draft. In 2019, the player signed a $135 million extension deal with the Chargers, their first-ever $100 million contract. This came with a $102 million guaranteed amount and a salary of $27 million each season, among other bonuses.

The defensive player also makes over $1 million with sponsorship deals from brands like Nike, Gamebreaker, Panini, and Rock-Tenn.

Kyrie Irving - $44 Million

Selected first overall by Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2011 NBA draft, Kyrie Irving won the Rookie of the Year award, followed by the NBA Championship with the team in 2016. In 2019, he signed a $141 million deal of four years with the Brooklyn Nets, bringing him earnings of $27 million.

Besides his basketball career, Irving’s endorsements and media appearances bumped his yearly earnings. His role as Uncle Drew in Pepsi Max commercials became very popular, which led to the release of a film of the same name in 2018. Irving also had a super successful eight-year collaboration with Nike, with several sold-out collections.

Jalen Ramsey – $43.5 Million

Jalen Ramsey began his NFL career in 2016 and wasted no time in becoming one of the highest-paid players in NFL history. He was drafted fifth overall in the first round, signing a four-year contract worth $23.5 million with $22.9 million guaranteed.

You'd think that was more than enough for the star until he switched to the Los Angeles Rams, where he renewed his contract in 2020 for the sum of $105 million, of which $71 million was guaranteed. This made him the highest-earning defensive cornerback in league history and also opened up lucrative business deals with Grubhub, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fungus, and many other brands.

Trent Williams – $43.5 Million

Trent Williams' football career is impressive considering that he has battled several injuries and a terminal illness since the start of his career in 2010. Despite that, he managed to bag nine pro bowls and a first-team All-Pro as the best tackle in the league.

With that impressive award list, it's no wonder the amount of money he grabs on his paydays. In 2021, he signed a six-year, $138 million contract extension with the San Francisco 49ers, $55.10 million of which was guaranteed, with a signing bonus of $30 million. This lucrative deal not only boosted his net worth but also made him the highest-paid offensive tackle in NFL history.

Myles Garrett – $43 Million

After winning the Unanimous All-American Honors in 2016 as a college football player at Texas A&M, Myles Garrett was drafted into the NFL as the first overall pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2017. He signed a fully guaranteed four-year contract for $30 million with an added bonus of $20.25 million.

Obviously, there were high hopes for the college protege, and with three Pro Bowls and two first-team All-Pros to his name, it's clear he delivered as expected. In 2021, he renewed his contract with the Cleveland Browns, signing a five-year, $125 million contract that elevated him to one of the highest-paid defensive ends in the league.

Serena Williams – $41.5 Million

It takes a lot of hard work to be the only woman among the top 25 highest-paid athletes. Serena Williams is a retired tennis player and arguably one of the greatest players in the industry. Though her prize money earnings since the start of her career stand at over $90 million, the workaholic is constantly searching for new investments.

In 2021, she earned $41 million from endorsement deals with over 50 corporate partners, including Nike, Pepsi, Delta Air Lines, and Gatorade, and investments in 60 startups. In September 2022, Williams finally decided to say goodbye to tennis and focus on her daughter, Olympia, and her husband, Alexis Ohanian.

Phil Mickelson – $41 Million

This list would practically be incomplete without Phil Mickelson. He has played for LIV Golf for over two decades and is listed among the top 50 golfers on the planet. In 2011, the professional golfer was ranked the second-highest-paid athlete in the United States with over $60 million in annual income, $53 million of which he earned from endorsements with several brands.

2021 was an equally profitable year for Mickelson, as he bagged $40 million from endorsements with VistaJet, Heineken N.V., and Melin. Considering the awards he's bagged in his professional career, including six major championships, three masters titles, and the 2021 PGA Championship victory, we're not surprised he's earned himself a spot among the greats.

Damian Lillard: $40.5 Million

After being named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2012-13 NBA and featuring in five All-NBA Teams, the Portland Trail Blazers player ranks third with the most points and assists (1,500 and 400, respectively) in his first eight seasons after LeBron James and Oscar Robertson. His contract with the franchise means his annual take home till the 2024-25 season will be around $40 million.

In addition to his sponsorship deals, Lillard runs a successful shoe line with Adidas and endorsements with Spalding, 2K sports, and Moda Health. The superstar has also released three studio albums under the name Dame DOLLA and has his music on the NBA 2K20 soundtrack.

Chris Paul: $40 Million

Two-time American Olympic gold medalist Chris Paul was the second-highest-paid basketballer in the NBA at some point. He received a massive $41.4 million salary from the Phoenix Suns but agreed to take a pay cut when the pandemic struck.

Paul supplements his daily job's $33 million salary with a sponsorship deal with State Farm. Also, his equity stakes in Beyond Meat and WTRMLN WTR and endorsements with Spalding, Nike, and Panini, amount to a whopping $7 million. It's a fair amount for the NBA player with the fifth-highest assist-to-turnover ratio (3.57) ever.

DeAndre Hopkins: $39 Million

DeAndre Hopkins became the youngest player in NFL history to eclipse his career's 10,000 receiving yards mark. He also broke Larry Fitzgerald's marks in 2015 and 2017 for most receptions (115) in a single season. His stats prove he's a valued player and gets paid a lot of money for his extraordinary talent.

In 2021, the American signed a contract extension with the Arizona Cardinals for $54.5 million. The wide receiver has multiple investments with BioSteel and Oars & Alps, Beyond Meat, Therabody, and SEQL valued at $1 million; however, most of his earnings come from his NFL job.

Leonard Williams: $39 Million

After two first-team All-American awards in 2013 and 2014, Leonard Williams was drafted by the New York Jets as the sixth overall first-round pick in 2015. His fantastic run in college football at USC and a Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year award was something the team considered.

On March 2021, the American football defensive tackle signed a three-year contract with the New York Giants valued at $63 million, including a $22.50 million signing bonus. His net worth boosted that year after he earned $500,000 with the outfit.

Jimmy Butler: $38.5 Million

In 2011 Jimmy Butler was selected by the Chicago Bulls as the 30th overall in the NBA Draft. He extended his contract with the franchise and traded with several teams before the Miami Heat finally acquired him from Philadelphia in a four-team trade. When Butler joined Miami in July 2019, he signed a four-year deal that got him $142 million annually.

The Olympic gold medalist and four-time All-NBA basketballer got an additional $11 million from endorsements with top brands. When he cut his deal with Nike's Jordans, Butler added Li-Ning to Anheuser Busch InBev, Google, Logitech, Rhone, and Tag Heuer as his endorsed brands.

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