Comparing Athlete Salaries: Soccer Superstars vs. U.S. Sports Leagues
When it comes to athlete earnings, salaries and endorsement deals vary widely across different sports. While U.S. leagues like the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL offer some of the most lucrative contracts, soccer superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi remain among the highest-paid athletes in the world. This article breaks down the financial landscape of these sports to see who earns the most.
1. NFL (American Football) – High Salaries, Limited Guarantees
The NFL generates the most revenue of any sports league worldwide, and its top quarterbacks sign massive deals. However, NFL contracts are often not fully guaranteed, meaning injuries or performance declines can impact a player's total earnings.
Highest-Paid NFL Players (2024)
Despite high salaries, NFL players earn less from endorsements compared to NBA and soccer stars.
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2. NBA (Basketball) – Big Contracts and Huge Endorsements
The NBA offers the highest guaranteed salaries in U.S. sports, with superstars like LeBron James and Stephen Curry earning millions from both contracts and endorsements.
Highest-Paid NBA Players (2024-25)
NBA players also dominate endorsement earnings, with LeBron James making ~$90M from sponsorships alone (Nike, Pepsi, Beats, etc.).
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3. MLB (Baseball) – Fully Guaranteed Mega Contracts
Baseball players have the most secure contracts, as MLB deals are fully guaranteed, meaning they get paid regardless of injuries.
Highest-Paid MLB Players (2024)
Shohei Ohtani's $700M contract is the biggest in sports history (though much of it is deferred payments).
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4. NHL (Ice Hockey) – The Least Lucrative Major League
The NHL has the lowest salaries among the four major U.S. sports. Top players earn far less than their NFL, NBA, and MLB counterparts.
Highest-Paid NHL Players (2024)
While NHL salaries are lower, top stars still earn millions through sponsorships.
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5. Soccer (Football) – The Biggest Global Earnings
Soccer has the highest-paid athletes in the world, especially with the rise of the Saudi Pro League offering record-breaking contracts.
Highest-Paid Soccer Players (2024)
Cristiano Ronaldo earns the highest salary in sports history ($200M/year) in Saudi Arabia.
Messi’s salary is lower, but his endorsements push his total earnings to $135M/year.
Mbappé’s Real Madrid deal (expected in 2024) could reach over $100M annually with bonuses.
Saudi Pro League’s Impact on Soccer Salaries
The Saudi Pro League has changed the global salary landscape, offering wages far higher than European clubs. This shift is why players like Ronaldo, Neymar, and Benzema moved to Saudi Arabia for historic paydays.
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Who Earns the Most?
By Salary Alone (2024)
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Soccer, Saudi Pro League) – $200M/year
2. Shohei Ohtani (MLB) – $70M/year
3. Neymar (Soccer, Saudi Pro League) – $100M/year
4. Joe Burrow (NFL) – $55M/year
5. Stephen Curry (NBA) – $51.9M/year
By Total Earnings (Including Endorsements)
1. Cristiano Ronaldo – ~$260M/year
2. Lionel Messi – ~$135M/year
3. LeBron James – ~$120M/year
4. Kylian Mbappé – ~$100M/year
5. Neymar – ~$120M/year
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Key Takeaways
✔ Soccer superstars like Ronaldo and Messi dominate earnings globally, especially with Saudi Arabia's influence.
✔ MLB players (Ohtani, Scherzer) have the highest U.S. salaries, but NFL players (Burrow, Mahomes) get massive contracts with less guarantee.
✔ NBA players have a balance—high salaries and enormous endorsement deals.
✔ NHL players earn the least among major leagues, with lower salaries and endorsements.
Final Verdict: Who Wins the Salary Race?
Right now, Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest-paid athlete in history, with $200M/year from Saudi Arabia, surpassing stars from every majo
r U.S. league. Meanwhile, LeBron James and Lionel Messi continue to be global icons, earning huge sums from endorsements.
