Who are the Top 10 Billionaire Athletes in History?
Billionaires News - Here is the ranking of the Top 10 Billionaire Athletes in History, according to a Forbes report dated October 26, 2026. With more money flowing into sports than ever before, nine athletes have reached at least USD 1 billion in cumulative earnings, including on-field earnings such as salaries and prize money, as well as off-field earnings such as endorsement deals, before taxes or agent fees, and two more are on track to join that group in the coming year. In 2026, Cristiano Ronaldo became the first active athlete to reach USD 2 billion in career earnings, with his salary skyrocketing after his move to Al Nassr of the Saudi Professional League in 2023 and a portfolio of endorsements that ranks among the most lucrative among all sports. The 41-year-old football legend is set to extend his lead at the top spot by another USD 300 million this season, which would bring Ronaldo´s lifetime total to earnings to USD 2.39 billion.
Here is the ranking of the Top 10 Billionaire Athletes in History:
1 - Cristiano Ronaldo - Football
Cristiano Ronaldo ranks No. 1 Billionaire Athlete in History with Total career earnings of $2.09 billion in October 2026 and Projected Total career earnings of $2.39 billion in 2027.
Cristiano Ronaldo get paid more than $200 million annually by Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr, and he is currently playing his tenth consecutive football season with at least $100 million in estimated earnings. In June 2026, Cristiano Ronaldo became one of the world's billionaires with an estimated net worth of $1.2 billion, surpassing Lionel Messi at $1.1 billion. The 41-year-old Portuguese footballer also has 679 million Instagram followers, more than any other person in the world.
2 - Tiger Woods - Golf
Tiger Wood ranks 2nd Billionaire Athlete in History with Total career earnings of $1.97 billion in October 2026 and Projected Total career earnings of $2.01 billion in 2027.
Tiger Woods was the world's highest-paid athlete for a decade straight, earning over $100 million annually until the late 2000s. Tiger Woods became one of the world's billionaires in 2022, and now has an estimated net worth of $1.5 billion.
3 - Lionel Messi - Football
Lionel Messi ranks 3rd Billionaire Athlete in History with Total career earnings of $1.87 billion in October 2026 and Projected Total career earnings of $2.02 billion in 2027.
Lionel Messi is reaping huge benefits with estimated earnings of $145 million in 2026, including profits from what are believed to be revenue-sharing deals with league sponsors Adidas and Apple TV.
4 - LeBron James - Basketball
LeBron James ranks 4th Billionaire Athlete in History with Total career earnings of $1.68 billion in October 2026 and Projected Total career earnings of $1.77 billion in 2027.
LeBron James has a lifetime endorsement deal with Nike and recently added Polymarket to his list of sponsors, reportedly earning $15 million a year. The 41-year-old basketball player co-founded SpringHill Company, a media production firm that was valued at $725 million in 2021 and merged with Fulwell 73 last year, contributing to his $1.4 billion net worth.
5 - Phil Mickelson - Golf
Phil Mickelson ranks 5th Billionaire Athlete in History with Total career earnings of $1.13 billion in October 2026 and Projected Total career earnings of $1.14 billion in 2027.
6 - Roger Federer - Tennis
Roger Federer ranks 6th Billionaire Athlete in History with Total career earnings of $1.11 billion in October 2026.
Roger Federer also owns an estimated 3% stake in On, a footwear brand from Switzerland that is now a publicly traded company with a market capitalization of around $11 billion.
7 - Floyd Mayweather - Boxing
Floyd Mayweather ranks 7th Billionaire Athlete in History with Total career earnings of $1.08 billion in October 2026.
8 - Kevin Durant - Basketball
Kevin Durant ranks 8th Billionaire Athlete in History with Total career earnings of $1.06 billion in October 2026 and Projected Total career earnings of $1.17 billion in 2027.
9 - Stephen Curry - Basketball
Stephen Curry ranks 9th Billionaire Athlete in History with Total career earnings of $1.02 billion in October 2026 and Projected Total career earnings of $1.22 billion in 2027.
10 - Neymar - Football
Neymar ranks 10th Billionaire Athlete in History with Total career earnings of $960 million in October 2026 and Projected Total career earnings of $1 billion in 2027.
