Discover the 10 richest sportsmen in the world and reveal their amazing wealth, achievements, and contributions to their respective sports. From football legends to basketball superstars, these richest sportsmen have conquered the court and amassed the richest fortunes imaginable.
Get insight into their business plans, recommendations, and strategic decisions that have propelled them to the pinnacle of success. The sport takes practice and skill, and only a handful of people are determined to make it to the top. From the PGA Tour to Olympic medalists, these individuals are paid a hefty sum to stay above the rest.
Endorsements, contracts, and personal performance all help build an athlete’s wealth. Check out our list to see whose net worth knocks it out of the park. Having skills alone is not enough to have a successful career in sports. Athletes must train and, at the same time, have the determination to reach the top. The right mindset and attitude toward a specific sport are also important. Some have to start at an early age and are scouted by agents to play in the bigger leagues.
Most of the time, parents have to enroll their children in something they think their little ones will enjoy and learn to love. It can be football, netball, baseball, karate, gymnastics, or any other modern sport. Those who are good at their chosen sport continue their hobby in middle and high school as they represent their school when they go up against other teams.
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Beyond the Game: Unveiling the Top 10 richest sportsmen on the Planet
Those who are the luckiest and the most dedicated can continue playing their respective sport after school and move on to a professional level. The richest sportsmen in the world include those who play in major leagues and tours, as well as Olympic medalists.
1. Vince McMahon: $2.2 billion
- Full name: Vincent Kennedy McMahon
- Date of birth: August 24, 1945
- Age: 77 years of age as of January 2023
- Nationality: American
McMahon graduated from East Carolina University with a degree in business in 1968 and began working in professional wrestling as a commentator for the WWE (then called the World Wide Wrestling Federation, or WWF) for much of the 1970s. He bought the company from his father, Vincent J. McMahon, in 1982 and nearly monopolized the industry, which previously operated as separate entities across the United States.
This led to the development of the annual WrestleMania event, which became one of the world’s most successful professional wrestling events. WWE then faced industry competition from World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in the 1990s before purchasing and absorbing WCW in 2001.
WWE also purchased the assets of the defunct Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) in 2003. Vincent Kennedy McMahon is a former American wrestler and current Chairman and CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, WWE. Under his leadership, WWE has grown into the world’s largest professional wrestling company, with him as the majority shareholder. Vince is one of the richest sportsmen in the world as of 2023, and his fan base is unlimited worldwide, with a net worth of over $2.2 billion.
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2. Michael Jordan: $1.7 billion
- Full name: Michael Jeffrey Jordan
- Date of birth: February 17, 1963
- Age: 59 years of age as of January 2023
- Nationality: American
Jordan played college basketball for three seasons under coach Dean Smith with the North Carolina Tar Heels. As a freshman, he was a member of the Tar Heels’ 1982 national championship team. Jordan joined the Bulls in 1984 as the third overall draft pick and quickly became a league star, entertaining crowds with his prolific scoring while earning a reputation as one of the best defensive players in the game.
His jumping ability, demonstrated by performing slam dunks from the free throw line in Slam Dunk Contests, earned him the nicknames “Air Jordan” and “His Airness.” And finally, to top the list, meet Michael Jordan, the richest sportsman in the world as of 2023. According to various online sources, the former American basketball player is currently a product endorser, team owner, and entrepreneur with an alleged net worth of 3 billion dollars.
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3. Ion Tiriac: $1.5 billion
- Full name: Ion Tiriac
- Date of birth: May 9, 1939
- Age: 83 years of age as of January 2023
- Nationality: Romanian
Ion Tiriac played ice hockey for Romania at the 1964 Winter Olympics, but it was just a prelude to a much bigger life. His main sport was tennis, and he became one of the best players in the world when he won the 1970 French Open men’s doubles alongside Ilie Nastas. Tiriac’s best Grand Slam singles finish was in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon in 1968. He is best known for his doubles play and has won 22 professional titles.
Ion Tiriac is a Romanian businessman and former professional tennis and ice hockey player who has amassed a substantial net worth of about $1.5 billion. He made most of his fortune as a businessman and through his tennis career.
In addition, he ventured into real estate, automobiles, and financial services and later founded the Tiriac Group. He also owns a collection of more than 400 model cars and motorcycles.
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4. Tiger Woods: $1.1 billion
- Full name: Eldrick Tont Tiger Woods
- Date of birth: December 30, 1975
- Age: 47 years of age as of January 2023
- Nationality: America
In 1997, Woods became the first Asian golfer to win the Masters, one of the sport’s most prestigious events. With his victory at the 2001 Masters, Woods became the first player to win four major golf tournaments in a row – the Masters, the US Open, the British Open (Open Championship), and the PGA Championship. Eldrick Tont Tiger Woods is an American professional golfer and one of the highest-paid athletes in the world. Woods is considered one of the greatest golfers of all time and one of the most famous and richest sportsmen in the world.
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5. Anna Kasprzak: $1 billion
- Full name: Anna Kasprzak
- Date of birth: December 8, 1989
- Age: 33 years of age as of January 2023
- Nationality: Danish
Anna Kasprzak is a Danish dressage rider and Olympic athlete who has earned most of her net worth through prize money, sponsorships, and brand endorsement deals. She is the only female athlete to make the list of the richest sportsmen of all time.
It has endorsement deals with companies in the equestrian industry and other related fields. The Danish dressage rider has also made a fortune from other endeavors such as coaching and training. All of these activities have increased her net worth to over a billion dollars.
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6. Magic Johnson: $630 million
- Full name: Earvin Magic Johnson Jr
- Date of birth: 14 August 1959
- Age: 63 years of age as of January 2023
- Nationality: American
Earvin Magic Johnson is an American former professional basketball player and successful businessman. The bulk of his net worth comes from his career salary, brand endorsements, and various investments.
He currently has a number of investments and is the chairman and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises, a diversified holding company that invests in various industries. His net worth of $630 million makes him one of the richest sportsmen in the world as of 2023.
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7. Eddie Jordan: $600 million
- Full name: Edmund Patrick Jordan
- Date of birth: March 30, 1948
- Age: 74 years of age as of January 2023
- Nationality: Irish
Eddie Jordan is a former racing driver and businessman based in Ireland who has amassed a net worth of $600 million through his successful career in Formula 1 racing. Jordan first worked at the Bank of Ireland, won the Irish Karting Championship in 1971, moved to Formula Ford in 1974, founded and owned Jordan Grand Prix (1991–2005), served as chief analyst for the BBC’s Formula 1 coverage (2009–2015), and later joined Channel 4. In February 2016, Jordan was announced as the presenter of Top Gear.
In addition, he is the founder and owner of the Jordan Grand Prix and the lead analyst for BBC Channel 4’s F1 coverage. This achievement has made him one of the richest sportsmen in the world.
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8. Junior Bridgeman: $600 million
- Full name: Ulysses Lee Junior Bridgeman
- Date of birth: September 17, 1953
- Age: 69 years of age as of January 2023
- Nationality: American
Ulysses Lee Junior Bridgeman is an American former professional basketball player and successful businessman. He played in the National Basketball League for 12 years and currently owns Ebony and Jet magazines. He made most of his fortune through business, making him one of the richest sportsmen in the world.
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9. Lionel Messi: $600 million
- Full name: Lionel Andrés Messi
- Date of birth: June 24, 1987
- Age: 36
- Nationality: Argentina
Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional footballer who plays for Barcelona and the Argentina national team. He made most of his fortune through salary, endorsements, and sponsorships.
Apart from his illustrious career as a famous soccer player, Lionel Messi is famous for winning several trophies, including the latest one, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Messi earns a significant salary as a professional footballer and has also signed endorsement deals with major brands such as Adidas, Pepsi, and Gatorade. With a net worth estimated at over $600 million, the footballer is considered one of the richest sportsmen in the world.
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10. Michael Schumacher: $600 million
- Full name: Michael Schumacher
- Date of birth: January 3, 1969
- Age: 54 years of age as of January 2023
- Nationality: German
Michael Schumacher is a former German racing driver who raced in Formula 1 for Jordan, Benetton, Ferrari, and Mercedes and held a combined record of seven World Drivers’ Championship titles. In his youth, Schumacher became interested in go-kart racing, an enthusiasm that was fostered by running his father’s go-kart track. In 1984 and 1985, he won the German Junior Karting Championship, and in 1987, he won the German and European Karting titles. The next year, aged 19, he left karting to drive Formula 3 (F3) cars, vehicles that were less powerful than F1 racers. Two years later, in 1990, he won the German F3 championship.
At the time of his retirement from the sport in 2012, he held the records for wins, pole positions, and podium finishes. According to Forbes, Schumacher is considered one of the richest athletes in the world.
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FAQs of richest sportsmen
Q: How did Floyd Mayweather Jr. become the richest athlete?
Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s business-savvy approach to his boxing career is the main reason for his immense wealth. He negotiated record pay-per-views and secured massive fight purses, earning himself significant income.
Q: What endorsement deals contribute to Cristiano Ronaldo’s wealth?
Cristiano Ronaldo’s endorsement portfolio is diverse and includes partnerships with leading brands such as Nike, CR7, and Tag Heuer. These lucrative deals, along with his social media influence, boosted his financial standing.
Q: How is Lionel Messi’s net worth compared to Cristiano Ronaldo’s?
While both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have comparable net worths, Ronaldo often ranks higher due to his higher income from endorsements and business activities.
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Q: How did LeBron James expand his wealth beyond basketball?
LeBron James made strategic investments and founded his media production company, SpringHill Entertainment. These ventures, along with his NBA earnings and endorsements, contributed to his financial success.
Q: Which brand endorsements are associated with Roger Federer?
Roger Federer’s endorsement deals include partnerships with brands such as Rolex, Uniqlo, and Credit Suisse. His long association with these prestigious brands contributed significantly to his wealth.
Q: Is Tiger Woods still among the richest athletes, despite his recent setbacks?
Yes, Tiger Woods remains one of the richest athletes in the world, thanks in large part to his past golf earnings and ongoing endorsement deals.
Conclusion
The top 10 richest athletes in the world have not only conquered their sport but also achieved financial feats that are unimaginable. From boxing to golf to soccer to tennis, these athletes have demonstrated unmatched determination, talent, and business acumen. Their stories serve as inspiration for aspiring athletes and entrepreneurs alike, proving that success can be achieved through passion, perseverance, and strategic decision-making.
So as we celebrate their sporting achievements and their incredible wealth, let us also recognize the transformative power of sport, which transcends borders, cultures, and economies to bring joy to millions of people around the world.
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