The debate over who holds the title of the highest-paid athlete is a common one among sports enthusiasts. With various impressive figures being mentioned, it can be quite challenging to determine who tops the list. It's also essential to recognise that an athlete’s total earnings come not only from their performances in their respective sport, but also from endorsements, image rights, and advertising deals, all of which contribute significantly to their overall income.
The annual debate over the USA’s highest-paid athletes can now be put to bed for another year, with Forbes revealing its list of the top earners for 2025. The combined earnings of this year’s United States top 10 reached a record $876.5 million. Each athlete in the top 10 made at least $80 million, while the top-earning American athlete earned almost double the earnings of the athlete in 10th place.
Interestingly, the highest-earning athlete earned more from off-field opportunities than on-field, earning nearly two thirds of his revenue from endorsements, with the final third coming from salary and winnings.
The top spot is held by one of basketball's greats, who has been performing highly at the top for over a decade. Despite approaching the final years of his career, the 37-year-old continues to dominate marketability and endorsements, earning his seat at the pinnacle of financial gain in American sport.
20 highest-paid American athletes of 2025 (20-11)
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10 Trevor Lawrence
Total earnings: $80.5m
Trevor Lawrence
In 2021, Lawrence entered the NFL as the first overall draft pick, selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Seen as a franchise-changing talent, he has steadily developed into a top-tier quarterback. His growth and importance to the team was rewarded in June 2024, when he signed a five-year, $275 million contract extension — a deal that reflects his value both on and off the field.
Off the gridiron, Lawrence has built a strong presence in the world of endorsements. He partners with well-known brands such as Adidas, American Eagle, and Gatorade. Now 25 years old, Lawrence ranks as the 21st highest-paid athlete in the world. He earns a total of $80.5 million annually — $74.5 million from his salary and $6 million from endorsements — making him not just a football star, but also a prominent figure in the business and marketing world.
9 Jared Goff
Total earnings: $80.8m
Jared Goff
In March 2021, Goff was traded to the Detroit Lions, where he has continued to prove his value as a franchise quarterback. His leadership and performance helped revitalise the team, leading to a four-year, $212 million contract extension in May 2024. Now 30 years old, Goff remains a key figure in the league, both for his on-field accomplishments and his business ventures off the field.
Beyond football, Goff has expanded his brand through his clothing line, JG16, launched in 2019. The line features casual gear like t-shirts, hoodies, and hats. He is also recognised for his philanthropy, notably donating $250,000 to the L.A. Food Bank during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping provide one million meals to people in need. In 2024, Goff was the highest-paid NFL player, earning $75.8 million from salary and winnings. With an additional $5 million from endorsements, he ranks as the 20th highest-paid athlete in the world.
8 Jordan Love
Total earnings: $83m
Green Bay Packers QB Jordan Love after a loss
Following his impressive performances, the Green Bay Packers committed to Love as their quarterback of the future. In July 2024, he signed a four-year, $220 million contract extension, tying the league record for average annual value. The deal also included a $75 million signing bonus, setting a new NFL benchmark and underscoring the team’s confidence in his long-term potential.
At 26 years old, Love is not only making waves on the field, but also financially. He is the fourth highest-paid NFL player in 2025 and ranks as the 19th highest-paid athlete in the world right now. His total earnings for the year reached $83 million — $79 million from salary and winnings, along with $4 million from endorsements. With his rapid rise, record-setting contract, and growing presence in the sports world, Jordan Love is firmly establishing himself as one of the NFL's elites.
7 Patrick Mahomes
Total earnings: $86.8m
Patrick Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes, star quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs, is one of the NFL’s most accomplished players at just 29. He’s made four Super Bowl appearances in five years, winning three titles and three Super Bowl MVP awards. Despite a loss in the 2025 Super Bowl, Mahomes remains a top performer.
He signed a 10-year, $503 million deal in 2020 and is the third highest-paid NFL player in 2025. Off the field, he endorses major brands like Adidas, State Farm, and T-Mobile. He also holds ownership stakes in teams, including the Kansas City Royals and the Alpine F1 team.
6 Deshaun Watson
Total earnings: $91.8m
Deshaun Watson
Deshaun Watson, 29, is one of the NFL’s highest-paid players, earning $90.8 million in 2024 and ranking 15th among all athletes worldwide. After being traded to the Cleveland Browns in 2022, he signed a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract.
Watson’s career has been clouded by sexual assault allegations that emerged in 2021, which he has denied. The controversy led to lost endorsements, with Nike, Beats, H-E-B, and Reliant Energy cutting ties. While his off-field income dropped to $1 million, his on-field earnings keep him among the league’s top-paid players.
5 Scottie Scheffler
Total earnings: $92.5m
Scottie Scheffler, 28, is the world’s top-ranked golfer and the only golfer on the list of highest-paid athletes in 2024. His dominance on the PGA Tour has been undeniable, with a stellar 2024 season that included seven victories, highlighted by a win at the Masters. Although, these finances were revealed before the PGA Championship this year, which he won in convincing fashion. He set new records for on-course earnings, topping $29 million in 2024 after earning $21 million in 2023 and just over $14 million in 2022.
Scheffler is also a major presence off the course, endorsing brands like Nike, TaylorMade, and Veritex Bank, with $62.5 million in winnings and $30 million from endorsements.
4 Kevin Durant
Total earnings: $101.4m
20 highest-paid athletes in 2025 (20-11)
Kevin Durant, 36, is the first basketball player to make the top 10, earning $101.4 million — $51.4 million from salary and winnings, and $50 million from endorsements. After stints with the Golden State Warriors and Brooklyn Nets, Durant was traded to the Phoenix Suns in 2023.
Off the court, Durant has a lucrative business portfolio, with deals from Nike, FanDuel, and Fanatics. He has invested in over 80 companies through his firm 35V, co-founded the media brand Boardroom, and produced the Oscar-winning film Two Distant Strangers. Durant also owns stakes in the Philadelphia Union (MLS), Gotham FC (NWSL), and a Major League Pickleball franchise.
3 LeBron James
Total earnings: $133.8m
LeBron James
LeBron James, 40, is the first active NBA player to become a billionaire, with Forbes ranking him 2,479th in the world. Drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003, he has earned over $500 million in salary throughout his career with the Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers. Off the court, James has made upwards of $900 million from business ventures and endorsement deals, including with Nike.
What sets LeBron apart is his approach to endorsements — he often takes equity stakes in brands, such as Beats by Dre, which has been key to his wealth. His LeBron James Family Foundation opened its first elementary school in 2018 and has pledged over $40 million to send kids to college. LeBron’s business acumen, philanthropy, and on-court success have solidified his place as one of the wealthiest and most influential athletes in the world.
2 Dak Prescott
Total earnings: $137m
Dak Prescott
Number two on the list of the USA's top-earning athletes is Dak Prescott. Despite coming off a broken ankle, Prescott signed a four-year, $160 million contract with the Dallas Cowboys in March 2021, with a record-setting $66 million signing bonus — the largest in NFL history at the time. In September 2024, he surpassed those numbers, securing a four-year, $240 million extension with an $80 million signing bonus.
The three-time Pro Bowler has also built one of football’s most impressive endorsement portfolios, partnering with major brands across various sectors. Off the field, Prescott owns a significant stake in four Walk-On's restaurants in Texas, further boosting his wealth. At 31 years old, Prescott ranks as the fourth highest-paid athlete in the world and was also featured on Forbes' 30 Under 30 list in 2022.
1 Stephen Curry
Total earnings: $156m
Stephen Curry
The highest-paid American athlete in 2025, according to Forbes, is Stephen Curry, the 37-year-old basketball legend. Curry made history with the NBA's first $200 million contract in 2017 and later signed a four-year, $215 million extension in 2021. In the 2023-24 season, he became the first NBA player to earn over $50 million in salary, totalling $51.9 million.
Off the court, Curry has built a strong business portfolio, including the launch of Curry Brand with Under Armour in 2020, which he extended in 2023. His production company, Unanimous Media, signed a deal with Comcast NBCUniversal and expanded into podcasting with Audible. Curry is the second highest-paid athlete in the world in 2025.
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