In global sports, athletes chase both championship triumphs and massive contracts that showcase their skill, drive, and impact on the industry.
By 2025, the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL’s top stars are smashing salary records, reflecting the skyrocketing market power of elite performers in major leagues.
- Dak Prescott is the highest-paid NFL player, earning $60 million annually with the Cincinnati Bengals.
- Shohei Ohtani leads MLB with a record $700 million contract, averaging $70 million annually with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
- Stephen Curry is the top earner in the NBA, with a $215 million extension that pays $55.76 million per year with the Golden State Warriors.
List of Highest-Paid Athletes
Let’s dive into the details of the athletes topping the earnings charts in 2025 and the standout contracts driving their success.
Dak Prescott: NFL’s Highest-Paid Player
As of 2025, Dak Prescott, the quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, is the highest-paid NFL athlete.
Prescott signed a record-breaking contract extension worth $160 million over four years, with a whopping $126 million guaranteed. His average annual salary of $60 million makes him the highest-paid player in NFL history.
This extension was finalized just before the 2025 season, securing Prescott’s future with the Cowboys and emphasizing the immense value top-tier quarterbacks hold in the league.
Prescott’s consistent performance, including leading the Cowboys to multiple playoff appearances, underscores his importance to the franchise and justifies the historic deal.
Shohei Ohtani: MLB’s Highest-Paid Player
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers is the highest-paid athlete in Major League Baseball.
Ohtani signed a groundbreaking 10-year, $700 million contract, averaging $70 million annually, the largest in North American sports history.
This contract reflects Ohtani’s exceptional dual-threat ability as a pitcher and a hitter. Since his MLB debut in 2018, Ohtani has won multiple awards, including the American League Rookie of the Year and two MVP awards.
His rare skills and consistent performance made him extremely valuable, leading to this record-breaking contract.
Stephen Curry: NBA’s Highest-Paid Player
Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors is the highest-paid athlete in the NBA for 2024.
Curry, a transformative player in the league, signed a four-year, $215 million extension in August 2021, which will see him earn an average annual salary of $55.76 in this 2025 season.
The point guard followed his stellar performance in the Olympics with a further 62.6 million, one-year contract extension with Golden State.
This extension ensures Curry’s presence with the Warriors, a team he has led to multiple championships, until the 2026-2027 season.
Curry’s contract reflects his huge value to the team on and off the court, especially due to his role in changing the game with his incredible three-point shooting.
Auston Matthews Becomes NHL’s Top-Earning Star
Auston Matthews secures his spot as the NHL’s highest-paid player with a four-year contract extension from the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The deal, which took effect in the 2025 season, features an annual average value of $13.25 million—setting a new salary benchmark in the league.
Boasting accolades like the Hart Trophy and two Rocket Richard Trophies, Mathews continues to be a dominant force for the Leafs and hopes to be a future NHL all-time great.
Top-Paid Athletes Redefining Worth in Pro Sports
These icons dominate league earnings, landing record contracts that highlight their unmatched talent and impact on winning franchises.
Dak Prescott, Shohei Ohtani, Stephen Curry, and Auston Matthews lead 2025’s list, setting new standards for athlete compensation.
Their landmark deals showcase performance, influence, and vital roles in shaping the success of elite teams.
