In a world full of massive contracts, sponsorships, and prize money, many wonder: how much do pro athletes actually earn? And more recently, a new question is emerging: how are cryptocurrencies shaping the way athletes manage and multiply their income?
Let’s break down the numbers by sport, and explore how crypto is playing a bigger role in the game.
⚽ Soccer
- Top earners: Messi and Ronaldo have made $100M–$130M per year, including endorsements.
- Lower-tier players: $30K–$100K annually in smaller leagues.
Crypto link: Messi received part of his PSG contract in $PSG Fan Tokens. Other players like Neymar and Griezmann invest in NFTs.
🏀 NBA (Basketball)
- Stars: LeBron James pulls in over $120M annually.
- Average players: $3M–$10M per year.
Crypto link: NBA Top Shot NFTs exploded in popularity. Players like Steph Curry are investing in Ethereum and NFT projects.
🎾 Tennis
- Top 10: Djokovic, Nadal, and Alcaraz make $15M–$30M+ a year.
- Outside Top 100: Many earn just $20K–$80K yearly after expenses.
Crypto link: Naomi Osaka endorsed FTX, and several tournaments are testing crypto payouts for players.
🏈 NFL (American Football)
- Top players: Mahomes and Burrow earn $50M+ annually with bonuses.
Crypto link: Odell Beckham Jr. accepted his salary in Bitcoin. Some teams now accept crypto for ticket purchases.
🥊 Boxing / MMA
- Superstars: Canelo, Tyson Fury, and McGregor can make $20M–$100M per fight.
Crypto link: Mayweather and McGregor have launched or promoted NFT collections and fan tokens.
📉 What About Non-Superstars?
In minor leagues or niche sports, many athletes barely break even or rely on side jobs. This is where crypto is starting to offer new opportunities:
- Investing their income in decentralized assets
- Protecting against inflation (especially in unstable economies)
- Engaging fans through NFTs and fan tokens
- Receiving payments globally without relying on banks