In professional sports, athletes aim not only for championships but also for high-paying contracts that match their skills, hard work, and team impact.
As of 2024, the top-earning athletes in the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL are breaking financial records and showing just how valuable top talent can be in their sports.
- 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 2024 and the standout contracts driving their success.
Dak Prescott: NFL’s Highest-Paid Player
As of 2024, 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 2024 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 the 2024-25 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: NHL’s Highest-Paid Player
Auston Matthews is set to become the highest-paid NHL player following the signing of a four-year contract extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
This deal begins with the upcoming 2024-25 season, carrying an annual average value of $13.25 million, making him the highest-paid player 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-Earning Athletes Setting New Standards in Sports
These athletes represent the biggest earners in their respective sports, with contracts that reflect their exceptional talent and value to their teams.
Dak Prescott, Shohei Ohtani, Stephen Curry, and Auston Mathews earn the most money and set new standards for their importance in professional sports.
Their contracts prove their skills, performance, and key roles in their teams’ success.
