How many women are among world’s top 100 highest-paid athletes? The surprising answer awaits

While Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, LeBron James, and many other male athletes dominate the highest-paid list, Sportico has revealed a shocking fact: not a single woman athlete made it into the world’s 100 highest-paid athletes.

U.S. tennis star Coco Gauff was the top-earning female athlete in 2024, with $30.4 million, but this fell short by more than $7 million of the $37.5 million cutoff needed to make the top 100.

Cristiano Ronaldo remains at the top of the global rankings for the second straight year with $260 million in earnings, which includes $215 million from his Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr and $45 million off the field.

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry follows in second place with $153.8 million, with boxer Tyson Fury ($147 million), Inter Miami soccer legend Lionel Messi ($135 million), and Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James ($133.2 million) rounding out the top five.

The $100 million club also includes boxer Oleksandr Usyk, soccer players Neymar, Karim Benzema, and Kylian Mbappe, golfers Jon Rahm and Scottie Scheffler, and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.

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As of February 2025, the top 10 highest-paid athletes in the world, according to Sportico’s annual rankings, are:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo – $260 million
2. Stephen Curry – $153.8 million
3. Tyson Fury – $147 million
4. Lionel Messi – $135 million
5. LeBron James – $133.2 million
6. Oleksandr Usyk – $122 million
7. Neymar – $106 million
8. Karim Benzema – $103 million
9. Kylian Mbappé – $100 million
10. Jon Rahm – $100 million

Collectively, the top 100 athletes earned a total of $6.2 billion, marking a 14% increase from the previous year. This list includes athletes from eight sports and 27 countries.