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From left: Lionel Messi, Lebron James, Naomi Osaka. Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP via Getty Images (Messi); Patrick Smith/Getty Images (James); Mateo Villalba/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images (Osaka)
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Who’s Winning the Money Game?
The world’s 50 highest-paid athletes made a combined $2.97 billion between May 2021 and May 2022, according to research by Forbes. That’s $200 million more than the record set the previous year. Why do you think on-the-field and off-the-field earnings vary so much in this chart?
*Naomi Osaka is the highest-paid woman on the list.
Source: Forbes. Numbers are before taxes and agents’ fees.
Combined on- and off-the-field earnings:
1. Lionel Messi Soccer $130m 2. LeBron James Basketball $121.2m3. Cristiano Ronaldo Soccer $115m4. Neymar Soccer $95m5. Stephen Curry Basketball $92.8m6. Kevin Durant Basketball $92.1m7. Roger Federer Tennis $90.7m8. Canelo Àlvarez Boxing $90m9. Tom Brady Football $83.9m19. Naomi Osaka Tennis $59.2m (Naomi Osaka is the highest-paid woman on the list.)