Cristiano Ronaldo Tops 2024 Athlete Earnings as No Women Make Sportico’s Top 100

Despite record-breaking achievements in women’s sports, no female athletes surpassed the $37.5 million cutoff for the list of the world’s highest-paid athletes.

Cristiano Ronaldo retained his position as the highest-paid athlete in 2024, earning $260 million, with $215 million from salary and $45 million from endorsements.
The top 100 athletes collectively earned $6.2 billion in 2024, including $4.8 billion in salaries and prize money, and $1.4 billion from endorsements.
Coco Gauff, the highest-earning female athlete, made $30.4 million in 2024 but fell short of the $37.5 million threshold required to make the list.
The cutoff for the top 100 has risen significantly over the years, driven by increased salaries in leagues like the NBA and NFL, and lucrative deals in Saudi-backed sports events.
Women’s sports saw record-breaking viewership and sponsorship growth in 2024, but disparities in salaries and prize money compared to men’s leagues remain a significant barrier.