Cristiano Ronaldo, Roger Federer, and Lebron James are among the sports stars who have made it to the list of the top 10 world’s highest-paid athletes in 2023.
2023 is almost drawing its curtains and athletes will be looking to enjoy the millions they have made throughout the season.
This article will be keen to delve into the top 10 world’s highest-paid athletes in 2023, with most of the references being based on Forbes.
Cristiano Ronaldo tops the list with other superstars including Kylian Mbappe and Canelo Alvarez making it to the list of the top 10. However, notable names such as Neymar Jr, Tiger Woods, and Max Verstappen have yet to make it to the list of the top 10.
10) Kevin Durant
Kevin Wayne Durant also known by his initials KD, is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns and is among the top 10 world’s highest-paid athletes.
Durant’s net worth currently stands at Ksh 13,521,112,110 which is approximately $89.1 million. Off the court, Durant is one of the highest-earning basketball players in the world, due in part to endorsement deals with companies such as Nike.
06:48 - 29.10.2023
NBA Kevin Durant powers shorthanded Suns to easy win over Utah Jazz
Kevin Durant recorded 26 points and 7 assists in three quarters to help the Phoenix Suns defeat the Utah Jazz, 126-104.
He has developed a reputation for philanthropy and regularly leads the league in All-Star votes and jersey sales.
9) Roger Federer
Roger Federer is a Swiss former professional tennis player and was ranked world No. 1 in singles by the Association of Tennis Professionals for 310 weeks, including a record 237 consecutive weeks.
He is ranked ninth among the top 10 world’s highest-paid athletes in 2023 with a net worth of Ksh 14,431,624,710 which is approximately $95.1 million.
Outside of competition, Federer played an instrumental role in the creation of the Laver Cup team competition. He is also an active philanthropist.
14:59 - 01.09.2023
Roger Federer and family make legendary appearance at Zurich Diamond League track meet
Retired Tennis legend Roger Federer was present with his family at the Zurich Diamond League.
He established the Roger Federer Foundation, which targets impoverished children in southern Africa, and has raised funds in part through the Match for Africa exhibition series.
By the end of his career, Federer was routinely one of the highest-paid athletes in any sport and ranked first among all athletes with $100 million in endorsement income in 2020.
8) Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry is an American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors. Widely regarded as the greatest shooter and one of the greatest players of all time, Curry is credited with revolutionizing the sport by inspiring teams and players to take more three-point shots.
He is ranked among the top 10 world’s highest-paid athletes with his net worth of Ksh 15,235,910,840.
7) Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson is an American professional golfer who currently plays in the LIV Golf League. He has won 45 events on the PGA Tour, including six major championships including three Masters titles (2004, 2006, 2010), two PGA Championships (2005, 2021), and one Open Championship (2013).
Mickelson is ranked among the top 10 world’s highest-paid athletes with a net worth of Ksh 16,085,722,600.
6) Dustin Johnson
Dustin Hunter Johnson is an American professional golfer who has won two major championships, the 2016 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club with a 4-under-par score of 276 and the 2020 Masters Tournament with a record score of 268, 20-under-par.
Johnson is ranked eighth among the top 10 world’s highest-paid athletes with a net worth of Ksh 16,237,474,700.
19:00 - 31.10.2023
GOLF: Windsor wonder Kanana Muthomi dazzles in the greens
The next tournament, the US Kids Local Tour final tournament will be played at the Muthaiga Golf Club on 5th November.
In February 2017 Johnson became the world's number one ranked golfer and remained there for 64 consecutive weeks, the fifth longest run as number one.
Johnson returned to the number one position in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 and has been at number one for a total of over 130 weeks.
5) Canelo Alvarez
Canelo Alvarez is a Mexican professional boxer who has won multiple world championships in four weight classes from light middleweight to light heavyweight.
He is ranked fifth courtesy of the Ksh 16,692,731,000 net worth. Álvarez is the first and only boxer in history to become an undisputed champion at super middleweight, having held the WBA (Super), WBC, and Ring magazine titles since 2020, and the IBF and WBO titles since 2021.
4) LeBron James
LeBron James is an American basketball player and is highly regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. He is also often compared to Michael Jordan in debates over the greatest basketball player of all time.
Just this year, James has managed to make approximately Ksh 18,134,375,950, placing him among the top 10 world’s highest-paid athletes in 2023.
14:24 - 29.10.2023
‘This is why I don't watch boxing’ - Lebron James reacts to Francis Ngannou's shock defeat to Tyson Fury
Popular NBA star Lebron James has expressed his displeasure at Francis Ngannou's shocking defeat to Tyson Fury.
Off the court, James has accumulated more wealth and fame from numerous endorsement contracts.
He has been featured in books, documentaries (including winning three Sports Emmy Awards as an executive producer), and television commercials.
He has won 20 ESPY Awards, hosted Saturday Night Live, and starred in the sports film Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021).
James has been a part-owner of Liverpool since 2011 and leads the LeBron James Family Foundation, which has opened an elementary school, housing complex, retail plaza, and medical center in Akron.
3) Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe is a French professional footballer who plays as a forward for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and captains the France national team.
Mbappe is regarded as one of the best players in the world, and he is well known for his dribbling abilities, exceptional speed, and finishing.
14:33 - 11.11.2023
STARS ABROAD Harambee Stars defender set for epic showdown against Kylian Mbappe's PSG
Okumu will be facing Kylian Mbappe for the first time in his career hoping to get the better of the French superstar.
Mbappe is ranked third among the top 10 world’s highest-paid athletes with his net worth of Ksh 18,210,252,000.
Mbappé finished in third place for the 2023 Ballon d'Or and was runner-up for the 2022 Best FIFA Men's Player award.
2) Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains both Major League Soccer (MLS) club Inter Miami and the Argentina national team.
He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and has won a record eight Ballon d'Or awards and a record six European Golden Shoes, and in 2020 he was named to the Ballon d'Or Dream Team.
He is ranked second among the top 10 world’s highest paid athletes in 2023 with his net worth of Ksh 19,727,773,000.
1) Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains both the Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr and the Portugal national team.
The former Real Madrid striker is ranked first courtesy of his net worth of Ksh 20,638,285,600.
11:35 - 12.11.2023
Harry Kane surpasses Cristiano Ronaldo and Haaland to become top scorer of 2023
The race for who finishes at the top of the scorer's chart for 2023 is a heated race between Harry Kane, Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland.
He is also regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, having won five has won five Ballon d'Or awards, three UEFA Best Player in Europe, and four European Golden Shoes, the most by a European player.