Michael Jordan continues to dominate long after his final NBA game. Widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes in sports history, the Chicago Bulls legend now leads a prestigious all-time list, one that includes global icons like LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo, Tiger Woods, Lionel Messi and Floyd Mayweather.
The names on this list are synonymous with greatness across various sports. All have been hailed as the GOAT in their respective disciplines. Yet, according to a recent report from Sportico, it’s Jordan who reigns supreme in lifetime earnings, leaving some surprising names behind.
Sportico reports that Jordan has amassed an estimated $3 billion in total earnings (non-adjusted for inflation), making him the highest-paid athlete of all time. Much of his wealth stems from transformative endorsement deals, most notably with Nike, and his lasting impact on the global basketball market.
Trailing behind is Tiger Woods, who ranks second with $1.91 billion in career earnings. While still staggering, that figure leaves Woods over $1 billion short of Jordan’s mark. Meanwhile, LeBron James doesn’t crack the top three, and Lionel Messi rounds out the top five.
Tiger Woods, the second highest paid athlete of all time.
Jordan tops the list of highest-paid athletes of all time
NBA legend has no real competition when it comes to career earnings. While global superstars like Ronaldo and LeBron are also on the list, Jordan’s earnings put him in a league of his own. Here’s a look at the top five highest-paid athletes in sports history.
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Top 5 highest-paid athletes of all time (unadjusted for inflation):
- Michael Jordan – $3.00 billion
- Tiger Woods – $1.91 billion
- Cristiano Ronaldo – $1.83 billion
- LeBron James – $1.49 billion
- Lionel Messi – $1.49 billion
These staggering figures highlight not only elite performance in their respective sports, but also the athletes’ lasting global impact and marketability. Jordan’s dominance in this list adds another compelling angle to the NBA GOAT debate against LeBron for example, showing that his influence extends far beyond the court.
Where does Mayweather rank among the highest-paid athletes?
If you thought the top five were impressive, the rest of the top 10 includes even more iconic names. Floyd Mayweather, widely regarded as one of boxing’s greatest, also secured his place among the highest earners in sports history.
Top 6–10 highest-paid athletes of all time (unadjusted):
- Roger Federer – $1.23 billion
- David Beckham – $1.20 billion
- Floyd Mayweather – $1.15 billion
- Jack Nicklaus (Golfer) – $910 million
- Arnold Palmer (Golfer) – $885 million
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Adjusted for inflation: Jordan still leads, but the rankings shift
When adjusted for inflation, the total earnings of these athletes climb even higher, and a few names move around in the rankings. Still, no one surpasses Michael Jordan, who remains at the top.
Top 10 highest-paid athletes of all time (adjusted for inflation):
- Michael Jordan – $4.15 billion
- Tiger Woods – $2.79 billion
- Cristiano Ronaldo – $2.23 billion
- LeBron James – $1.88 billion
- Lionel Messi – $1.85 billion
- Arnold Palmer – $1.76 billion
- Jack Nicklaus – $1.63 billion
- David Beckham – $1.52 billion
- Roger Federer – $1.51 billion
- Floyd Mayweather – $1.48 billion
SurveyCould any athlete ever surpass Michael Jordan’s legacy in global sports?
Could any athlete ever surpass Michael Jordan’s legacy in global sports?
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