The 15 Richest Athletes in the World: 2025 Fortune Ranking
Richest athletes
The world of sport isn't just about exploits on the field: some athletes have also turned their successes into veritable financial empires. Between record contracts, lucrative sponsorships and shrewd investments, these sportsmen and women amass colossal fortunes. Discover the ranking of the world's 15 richest athletes at 2025each with their discipline, their main sources of income and their estimated wealth in euros.
Top 15 Richest Athletes in the World in 2025
15. David Beckham - Football - 450 Million Euros
Former English soccer superstar, David Beckham has built up an impressive fortune thanks to a high-flying sporting career and a keen sense of business. Legendary midfielder Manchester United, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, he has amassed an impressive substantial salaries throughout his years in the field. In addition advertising contracts emblematic Pepsi à Adidaswho have made him a marketing icon worldwide.
Married to a pop and fashion star (Victoria Beckham), he multiplied his projects after his retirement from sport: co-owner of theInter Miami CF in the MLS, clothing lines and perfumes bearing his name... As a result, David Beckham's fortune now stands at around 450 eurosa heritage fuelled by a combination of sporting glory and business glamour.
14. Roger Federer - Tennis - 485 Million Euros
Considered one of the greatest tennis players in history, Roger Federer has turned his success on the court into financial success. With 20 Grand Slam titles to his list of honours, the Swiss champion has won over 130 million dollars at price on the ATP circuit. But it's off the court that Federer has built most of his fortune. His sponsoring agreements are legendary: Rolex, Uniqlo, Mercedes-Benz... long-term partnerships that bring in tens of millions every year.
He has also invested in a number of companies, including a stake in the Swiss shoe brand Wewhose valuation has soared. Today, the Roger Federer's fortune is estimated at around 485 million eurosreflecting a career that was as brilliant in sporting terms as it was lucrative financially.
13. Junior Bridgeman - Basketball - 530 Million Euros
Less well known to the general public, Junior Bridgeman is nonetheless a fascinating example of a successful reconversion. A former NBA in the 1970s and '80s (notably with the Milwaukee Bucks), Bridgeman never earned huge salaries on the floor. He is after his sporting career that he built his wealth. Taking advantage of his entrepreneurshipHe has invested heavily in fast-food franchises.
At one point, he had more than 100 Wendy's and Chili's restaurants in the United States, turning his savings into a veritable restaurant empire. He then resold these franchises to become Coca-Cola's official bottler in certain regions. Thanks to these intelligent investments, Junior Bridgeman now boasts a fortune of around 530 million euros. A career that proves that it is possible to go from being a sportsman to being a sportswoman. business magnate with a good entrepreneurial vision.
12. Roger Staubach - American Football - 530 Million Euros
Roger Staubach is proof that a sporting career can open doors to success far beyond the pitch. Former star quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys in the 1970s, he won two Super Bowls and built a solid reputation in the NFL. But it was in real estate that Staubach scored a financial touchdown after retirement. In 1977, he founded his own real estate consulting business, The Staubach Companya runaway success.
For decades, his company concluded major commercial real estate deals. Staubach eventually sold his company in 2008 for an estimated sum of 600 million dollarsHe made a huge fortune. Today, his fortune is estimated at around 530 million eurosfrom this entrepreneurial adventure. The American soccer champion has become a real estate tycoonWe're all about leadership in business and in the field.
11. Eddie Jordan - Formula 1 - 530 Million Euros
Former driver, then team owner of Formula 1, Eddie Jordan has successfully negotiated the transition from sport to business. In the 1990s, he created the Jordan Grand PrixThe team's founder, Eddie Jordan, was a pioneer in the development of F1 talent (such as Michael Schumacher in his early days). Bold and charismatic, Eddie Jordan managed his team for over a decade before selling it in 2005 (the team was later renamed Midland and then Force India). The sale of his team, combined with F1 commercial rightsThe company's new "S" brand brings in a considerable sum of money.
At the same time, the Irishman invested in the sports media and became a very popular consultant, notably on the BBC. He also owns assets in themusic industry (as a musician himself) and various financial investments. Eddie Jordan's fortune hovers around 530 million eurosThe result of his success in F1 and his busy off-track business.
10. Michael Schumacher - Formula 1 - 530 Million Euros
Living legend of the Formula 1, Michael Schumacher dominated the circuits in the years 1990-2000 and is a seven-time world champion. His exploits with Benetton and then Ferrari earned him lucrative contractsmaking him one of the highest-paid drivers in history. It is estimated that at the peak of his career, he earned tens of millions a year in salary and victory bonuses.
Added to this were prestigious sponsors (such as Marlboro, Shell, Omega...) who jostled to associate their image with that of the champion, bolstering his bank account. A true idol in Germany, Schumacher also made a number of investments and had his own charitable foundation. Although his life has taken a tragic turn since his skiing accident in 2013, his accumulated wealth remains immense. Michael Schumacher has an estimated fortune of around 530 million eurosa reflection of an extraordinary sporting career and some of the most lucrative commercial contracts ever seen in F1.
9. Anna Kasprzak - Equestrian - 880 Million Euros
This is the surprise of this ranking the presence ofAnna KasprzakKasprzak, a Danish dressage rider, is one of the world's wealthiest sportswomen. Team bronze medallist at the 2012 Olympic Games, Kasprzak is far from having amassed her hundreds of millions from winnings in equestrian competition (an expensive sport nonetheless). In fact, Anna is theheiress and co-owner of a flourishing family business: the shoe brand ECCOfounded by his grandfather.
This international business generates considerable income, propelling the young thirty-something into the circle of the ultra-rich. Although she continues to ride at a high level out of passion, her main source of income remains dividends and the valuation of the family business. Anna Kasprzak has an estimated fortune of 880 million eurosThis makes her one of the few women to achieve such wealth in the world of sport.
8. Lionel Messi - Football - 900 Million Euros
Argentine soccer genius, Lionel Messi has not only racked up goals and Ballon d'Or awards - he has also amassed a veritable war treasure throughout his career. Having spent more than 20 years at FC Barcelona, Messi has touched some of the world's most prestigious clubs. highest salaries of the sport, peaking at over 70 million euros a year in his final seasons in Europe. Transferred to Paris Saint-Germain then recruited by Inter Miami, he never stopped negotiating lucrative contracts.
In advertising, Messi is the face of major sponsors worldwide: he has a lifetime contract with AdidasHe has represented Pepsi, Gatorade, Huawei and many others, making hundreds of millions from his image. At the same time, he invested in real estate (including a gigantic mansion near Barcelona) and launched his own audiovisual production company. Lionel Messi has an estimated fortune of around 900 million eurosmaking him one of the richest sportsmen and women on the planet. This puts him close on the heels of his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo (whose fortune is slightly higher).
7. Cristiano Ronaldo - Football - 1 billion euros
He is one of the few footballers to reach the status of billionaire in the course of their careers. Cristiano Ronaldoa Portuguese star with an XXL list of achievements, has capitalized on his talent well beyond the pitch. In sporting terms, his wage contracts have broken records, from Manchester United and Real Madrid to Juventus and now Al-Nassr. Cumulative, Ronaldo earned hundreds of millions with his player's salary alone.
But CR7 is also a global brand He has signed countless advertising contracts (Nike, Herbalife, Clear, etc.), earning him more than 100 million euros on his career through sponsorship alone. An entrepreneur at heart, he has created his own line of clothing and perfumes. CR7and has luxury hotels to his name in Portugal. Ronaldo has also invested in real estate and even technology start-ups. Thanks to this all-round diversification, Cristiano Ronaldo's fortune is estimated at around 1 billion euros. A staggering figure that makes him the richest footballer in the world, slightly ahead of Lionel Messi.
6. Magic Johnson - Basketball - 1.1 billion Euros
Los Angeles Lakers legend in the 1980s, Earvin "Magic" Johnson has lost none of his business magic. After a career crowned by five NBA titles, he surprised everyone by becoming one of the first great African-American sportsmen to become a accomplished businessman.
Magic first invested in movie theaters and fast-food chains, cleverly targeting underserved neighborhoods to bring services to them while generating profits. His company, Magic Johnson EnterprisesHe prospered in a variety of sectors, owning up to 125 Starbucks franchisees, shares in the cinema chain TGIFbaseball team, and even a stint on the Los Angeles Dodgers.
A visionary, he was able to build on his image and capital, while remaining involved in the community. The present day, Magic Johnson boasts a fortune of around 1.1 billion eurosmainly from its investments and companies post-career. An exemplary success story that has paved the way for many athlete-entrepreneurs.
5. LeBron James - Basketball - 1.1 billion Euros
Still in operation, LeBron James is not only one of the greatest basketball players of all time, but also a shrewd businessman. King James" has accumulated more than 430 million dollars in salary since his debut, thanks to successive contracts with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers, among the highest in the league. Outside sport, he has built a veritable empire.
LeBron has a lifetime contract with Nike estimated at over a billion dollars over time, and is associated with brands such as Coca-Cola (Sprite), Beats by Dre and Kia. But his strategy doesn't stop at sponsorship: he has co-founded an audiovisual production company (SpringHill Entertainment), invested in the pizzeria chain Blaze Pizza and holds a stake in Liverpool FC (via the Fenway Sports group). All these initiatives have propelled his wealth to new heights. LeBron James has a fortune of around 1.1 billion eurosmaking him one of the few sports billionaires and the first active basketball player to achieve this status. His mantra: diversify income to make success last long after the last dunk.
4. Tiger Woods - Golf - 1.2 billion Euros
Tiger Woods has not only revolutionized golf in sporting terms, he has also smashed all the financial counters. Having become a global superstar in the late 1990s, Tiger has accumulated tournament winnings (with 15 Grand Slam victories and 82 PGA Tour wins, he has pocketed tens of millions in prize money alone) and extraordinary sponsorship contracts.
Its partnership with NikeHe has earned hundreds of millions of dollars over two decades. He has also been an ambassador for prestigious brands such as Rolex, Buick, Gillette or EA Sports (with his famous PGA Tour video game series). Despite personal setbacks and injuries that have slowed his career, Woods has maintained a strong media profile.
He launched his own company, TGRincluding golf course design, a high-end restaurant and a charitable foundation. In 2022, Tiger Woods officially joined the club of sports billionaires. His fortune is estimated at around 1.2 billion eurosthe fruit of an exceptional career and a brand image exploited to the full.
3. Ion Țiriac - Tennis / Hockey - €1.9 billion
Few people know it, but one of the richest men in the world of sport is a former tennis (and ice hockey) player from Romania. Ion Țiriac - sometimes nicknamed the "Baron" - had a respectable tennis career in the 1960s-70s, even winning the 1970 French Open in doubles.
But it's after storing the racket that he truly made his fortune. Taking advantage of the economic opening of post-Communist Romania, Țiriac built a sprawling business empire. He founded the Țiriac Bankthe country's leading private bank, invested in theinsurance (with Allianz-Țiriac), thereal estate, l'automobile import (he introduced Mercedes-Benz to Romania) and even managed the Madrid tennis tournament for a time.
A visionary and formidable negotiator, he knew how to make the most of every opportunity. Today, he is Ion Țiriac has an estimated fortune of 1.9 billion eurosmaking him one of the few former athletes to become multi-sector billionaire. Her inspiring career proves that you can move from the tennis court to the boardroom with insolent success.
2. Vince McMahon - Wrestling (WWE) - 2.5 billion Euros
Colorful character, Vince McMahon has transformed the world of catch (professional wrestling) into a global spectacle... and a cash machine. Inheriting his father's company in the 1980s, he has made the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) a sports entertainment empire.
A visionary promoter, McMahon negotiated astronomical TV rights and organized shows like WrestleMania who fill entire stadiums. He hasn't hesitated to step into the ring himself to put on a show, but it's behind the scenes that he's amassed his fortune. WWE IPO, launch of his own streaming channel, and most recently merger with UFC into a new combat sports giant: at every stage, the value of his shares soared. Despite some resounding failures (his XFL American soccer league never really took off), McMahon has always landed on his financial feet.
Vince McMahon boasts a fortune of around 2.5 billion eurosHe is one of the very first "sports" billionaires, even if his status as an athlete is peculiar (promoter and sometimes on-screen wrestler). He is thus one of the very first billionaire "sportsmen", even if his status as an athlete is peculiar (promoter and sometimes on-screen wrestler).
1. Michael Jordan - Basketball - 2.9 billion Euros
Michael Jordan remains, years after his retirement, the richest athlete on the planet. The former Chicago Bulls glory, six-time NBA champion, earned "only" $90 million in salary during his playing career - a modest sum compared to the current incomes of sports stars. But it's outside the grounds that "Air Jordan" took off to financial heights.
Its lifetime partnership with Nike created the legendary Jordan BrandHis sneakers and related products generate billions in sales every year (Jordan receives a percentage of sales, tens of millions annually from Nike alone). He has also been the face of Gatorade, Hanes, McDonald's and other major companies, accumulating advertising contracts. A visionary, Michael Jordan invested in the NBA club of Charlotte Hornets in 2010 for around $175 million, before selling its majority stake in 2023 for... 3 billion dollars ! This huge deal made his fortune soar.
Michael Jordan has total assets of around 2.9 billion euros which places him well ahead of other top-earning sportsmen and women. From iconic player to accomplished billionaireJordan is the ultimate example of combined sporting and financial success.
Conclusion
This list of the 15 richest athletes in 2025 reveals that success on the field can translate into spectacular financial success. Whether it's Michael Jordan's record-breaking deals, Cristiano Ronaldo's global impact or the strategic investments of figures like Tiger Woods and Ion Țiriac, each of these athletes embodies the perfect blend of talent, perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit.
Their inspiring journeys show us that a passion for sport, combined with a sharp business vision, can open the doors to a financial empire that extends far beyond the pitch. A true lesson in success for all those who dream of making history, whether by dribbling or investing!
FAQ : Wealth Of Athletes
Q: Who is the world's richest athlete?
R : According to the ranking above, Michael Jordan is the world's richest athlete, with an estimated fortune of almost 3 billion euros. The former NBA star has successfully monetized his image (notably via Nike) and made winning investments (such as the resale of his NBA franchise).
Q: Who's richer than Messi or Ronaldo?
R : Cristiano Ronaldo is slightly ahead of Lionel Messi in terms of wealth. Ronaldo's fortune hovers around 1 billion euros, while Messi's is in the region of 900 million. The two superstars have colossal incomes and fairly similar fortunes, with a slight advantage for Ronaldo.
Q: How many athletes are billionaires?
R : The club of billionaire athletes is a closed one. In 2025, there will be just a handful of athletes with fortunes in excess of one billion euros - around 7 to 8 athletes worldwide. In our top 15, seven players are billionaires in euros (Jordan, McMahon, Țiriac, Woods, Johnson, James and Ronaldo). Others, such as Messi and Kasprzak, come close without yet reaching the famous billion.
Q: Who is the richest sportswoman in the world?
R : The richest woman athlete in the world today is Anna Kasprzak880 million inherited from the family business (Ecco shoe brand). She's a special case in that she inherited a business empire. If we're talking about fortunes built mainly through sport, the tennis player Serena Williams would often be cited (with around 250 million euros in assets), but she remains far behind Kasprzak and does not appear in the overall top 15.
Q: What are the main sources of income for wealthy athletes?
R : The wealthiest athletes generally diversify their income. Sports salaries (club contracts, tournament prize money) form the basis of their fortune. But at the top level sponsoring agreements and advertising (for example, brands of equipment, drinks, cars, etc., pay to associate their image with champions).
Many athletes also invest in companiesThese include start-ups, real estate, restaurant franchises and even sports teams. Finally, some launch their own own brand (clothing lines, perfumes, media...) or take part in the family business. It is this combination of salaries, sponsorships and investments that enables these athletes to achieve extraordinary levels of wealth.
