Basketball star Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors ranks as the second-highest-earning athlete globally in 2021, according to Forbes.
Per Forbes, ballin' big time:
Steph Curry takes the second spot as the highest-earning athlete between 2024-2025, raking in a cool $156M. More than half that loot, $100M, ain't even from hoops! LeBron James follows with $133.8M and lands in sixth place overall.
Who's the money king, you ask? Cristiano Ronaldo steals the show with a mind-blowing $275M, thanks to a massive contract in Saudi Arabia. Only baseball sensation Shohei Ohtani earned as much as Curry in endorsements.
Kevin Durant makes the cut in the top 10 with $101.4M, including $50M off court. Other notable ballers on the list include Giannis Antetokounmpo ($94.4M), Damian Lillard ($67.5M), and teammate Jimmy Butler ($59.8M).
Surprisingly, soccer falls short with just five reps compared to basketball's 16, despite boasting three of the top eight earners. NBA dominates the Forbes' top 50 list this year, earning a whopping $4.23 billion, up from last year's $3.88 billion.
Here's the skinny on all the ballers on the list and their earnings:
- Steph Curry: $156M (2nd)
- LeBron James: $133.8M (6th)
- Kevin Durant: $101.4M (10th)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo: $94.4M (13th)
- Damian Lillard: $67.5M (29th)
- Jimmy Butler: $59.8M (37th)
- Luka Dončić: $62.1M (33rd)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: $61.2M (35th)
- Joel Embiid: $60.4M (36th)
- ... more ballers listed below ...
With NBA salaries skyrocketing, we can expect the league's domination to only grow stronger in the years to come. The league's massive broadcasting rights deal kicking off next season and several more lucrative contracts will surely fuel the fire.
The NBA continues to dominate the sports world, with several basketball players appearing on the Forbes' top 50 list. Steph Curry, with earnings of $156M, is ranked second, making a significant impact in the playoffs and the NBA. Damian Lillard, also a part of the league, earns $67.5M, showcasing the financial muscle of the NBA compared to other sports.
