In May 2024, the 10 highest-paid athletes earned a total of $1,276.7 million before taxes and brokerage fees over the past 12 months, up 15 percent year-over-year and another all-time high.
Five of the top 10 come from the soccer field, three from basketball, and one each from golf and football. Coming in at 6-10 were, in order, Kylian Mbappe (soccer, $110 million), Neymar (soccer, $108 million), Karim Benzema (soccer, $106 million), Stephen Curry (NBA, $102 million), and Lamar Jackson (NFL, $100.5 million).
As recently as May 11, Mbappe released a video announcing that he would not be renewing his contract with Paris Saint-Germain and would be leaving the team this summer. During his seven years with the team, he helped “Big Paris” win six league titles and three French Cups, scoring 255 goals in 306 appearances, making him the team’s all-time leading scorer. Although the French star did not disclose where the next stop will be, but the outside world is widely speculated that he will join the La Liga giants Real Madrid at the end of the season, 180 million euros is also the highest price ever for free agent transfers.
Two NBA stars LeBron James and Yannis Adetokounmpo were fourth and fifth, earning $128.2 million and $111 million, respectively, with the former playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, who were eliminated in the first round of this year’s playoffs by the defending champion Denver Nuggets in a 4:1. The latter plays for the Milwaukee Bucks, who were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for the second consecutive year after losing to the Indiana Pacers by a score of 2:4.
There are a number of sources, James will be completed this summer with the Lakers contract extension, as to whether to jump out of the contract after the completion of the three-year $ 164 million extension, or the implementation of the next season worth $ 51.4 million for a one-year contract, and an extension of two years of $ 112.9 million, depending on the “old man” how to choose.
“Alphabet brother” in the summer of last year has completed the top salary extension, will play for the Bucks until the end of the 2027-28 season. Speaking about the team’s future, he said: “We will continue to work hard to explore and discover the strength and potential we have.”
Lionel Messi comes in third with $135 million in earnings. So far this season, he has made 12 appearances for Miami International in the USL, scoring 11 goals and contributing 12 assists. His performance on the field is still bright, but the “entrance door” controversy has not yet dissipated. On February 4 this year, the Miami International team and the Hong Kong Stars exhibition match, the Argentine star did not appear, which is also the only one of the six exhibition matches absent. Many fans were extremely unhappy with the aftermath and the response of the parties involved, causing an uproar.
Jon Rahm came in second place, earning $218 million. The Spanish golfer opted to join LIV Golf in January this year, with the Saudi-backed league of the series signing a contract with him worth up to £450 million. Off the course, the 29-year-old endorses brands such as Rolex, Vesta Jets, Silverleaf Club and Blue Yonder.
Cristiano Ronaldo topped the list again, earning $260 million (Rs 1.88 billion). The Portuguese star currently plays for Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Victory and is signed for two and a half seasons with a total contract value of close to €200 million per season. In addition, Crow has made remarkable achievements in commercial endorsements, establishing close cooperation with brands such as Nike, Herbalife, Armani, Tag Heuer and DAZN, and his own brand CR7 has also ventured into a number of areas.
Media reports suggest that Crowe has urged Riyadh Victory FC to bring in Bruno Fernandes from Manchester United this summer. After two years without a title, he is eager to usher in strong teammates to help him compete for the title next season, and national teammate B Faye is obviously a good candidate.
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Post time: Nov-22-2024
