Sports is one of the most popular entertainment sources and major industries in the modern era. In constituting the top highest paid sports list, some sports categories have become integral to the global education system.
Athletes not only bring fame to their country but also earn millions of dollars. Athletes leave nothing to chance at the highest level with their determination and hard work.
Professional players earn a lot of money from game earnings and payments from their authorized deals or endorsements.
Sometimes these contracts cost millions of dollars that are still distributed over many years. Therefore, every tournament helps players get good deals and earn good money.
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10 Highest Paid Sports List 2022
It is a dream come true to have a successful career in sports. However, looking for a job in sports requires a lot of hard work and patience.
To choose a sports career, check out our top highest-paid sports list.
1. Basketball
Basketball is ranked among the top highest-paid sports list in the world. The National Basketball Association (NBA), made up of 30 teams, is the world’s most famous and paid basketball league.
Basketball activities began to attract the attention of athletes worldwide as they began to pay higher prices in the 1970s. It is also the most-watched game in the USA and Canada.
The average length of a basketball player in the NBA is about 6ft 7inches. It is the dream of every basketball player to reach the NBA. Michael Jordan is a highly paid NBA player who makes $ 343 million yearly.
Michael Jordan is also one of the richest athletes in the world, with an estimated $ 2 billion. According to Forbes magazine, existing NBA players such as LeBron James and Steph Curry have been included in the list of highest-paid athletes. The high deals allowed in this game and the ease of sale make basketball games 1st on the list.
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2. Boxing
Boxing is one of the oldest sports in the world, having begun playing more than 2700 years ago in 688 BC. Boxing is now ranked second in the world’s top highest-paid sports list.
Boxing is a popular sport in the USA, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Boxing is a highly risky sport, with high rewards as it is a wrestling match played between two players within the ring.
The highest-paid fighter is paid $ 333 million per game. Floyd Mayweather, is one of the richest athletes in the world, with an estimated worth of $ 450 million. In boxing history, the match between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao was the most-watched and most popular.
3. American Football
American football, also known as football, is one of the most-watched games by millions of fans in the USA and is the most popular sport.
The National Football League (NFL), made up of 32 teams, is the world’s most famous American football league.
It is the dream of many football players around the world to join the league. As a result, the NFL has the highest turnout in the world compared to all other paid sports leagues. It is the third highest-paid sport in the world at all levels -High School, College, and Professional.
Roger Staubach, a former American footballer, is the highest-paid footballer making $ 253 million a year. Although the NFL is only watched in the USA, it is one of the biggest leagues in the world.
4. Golf
Golf is considered one of the most challenging sports to achieve, but it is said to be an easy-to-read game. Golf was first played in the 15th century but gained prominence only in the 17th century in the USA and Europe.
Golf is ranked fourth in the top highest-paid sports list, in which the highest-paid golfer makes $ 127 million a year.
Tiger Woods is the richest golfer, with an estimated net worth of $ 800 million. In addition, the legendary golfer is ranked on the top Forbes list of the richest players recording 11 times which is huge.
Woods holds the Forbes list of the richest players eleven times. In addition, popular events such as the US Open, British Open, and PGA Championship are organized worldwide.
5. Soccer
Undoubtedly, soccer is the most popular sport in the world, played by almost every country, with more than four billion fans worldwide. Soccer was started in the 1950s and is now popular in Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Soccer is the fifth on the top highest-paid sports list. The highest-paid footballer makes $ 127 million.
Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese champion, is the richest soccer player in the world, with more than a billion dollars in endorsement and earnings.
6. Tennis
Tennis is the sixth highest-paid sport in the world and is one of the most popular games with millions of fans worldwide.
US Open, French Open, and Grand Slams are the most popular tennis tournaments. Even women are active players in this sport. Interestingly, female tennis players are included in the world’s leading female athletes list.
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) is the governing body of Tennis. The highest-paid tennis player makes an estimated $ 106 million a year.
Swiss tennis player Roger Federer is the richest tennis player in the world and boasts a whopping $ 450 million.
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7. Ice Hockey
Ice Hockey is the seventh highest-paid sports list in the world and the most popular, most watched in the USA. Ice Hockey is played on the ice, either indoors or outdoors.
The highest-paid Ice Hockey player earns about $ 99 million a year. Ice Hockey is a Canadian winter sport popular in the USA, Russia, and Australia.
Ice Hockey is dominated by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), and the National Hockey League (NHL) is the world’s renowned ice hockey league.
Famous Canadian footballer Wayne Gretzky is the richest Ice hockey player, with a net worth of $ 250 million.
8. Baseball
Baseball is ranked eighth in the top highest paid sports list and the most popular in the USA, Japan, and South Korea. The baseball player earned $ 38 million a year. The sport was first introduced in the 18th century.
The IBAF, abbreviated as the International Baseball Federation, is the governing body responsible for the decision-making and implementation of baseball sports policies.
Major League Baseball (MLB) has been voted the world’s biggest and most famous league.
For a long time, many MLB players have consistently appeared on Forbes’ list of the richest athletes. For example, Alex Rodriguez is the richest player, with $ 400 million worth.
9. Car Racing
Car racing is a popular sport in the USA and the European region. But unfortunately, car racing is not just a fun sport but also one of the most dangerous sports.
It is ranked ninth in the top highest paid sports list, with the highest ever paid for a race car driver, which was $ 18 million.
Car racing has been around since the invention of cars, and the first race was organized in 1867. Former German driver Michael Schumacher is the richest racer, with an estimated $ 800 million.
Michael holds the fastest running record and most races won in one season, yet to be broken.
10. Cycling
More than 120 years ago, Charles Minthorn Murphy became the first cyclist to cover a mile in less than a minute in 1899. This earned him the nickname “Mile-a-Minute Murphy.”
Cycling is now considered one of the most popular sports in the world since the advent of bicycles and other vehicles.
As a result, several cycling competitions are held in different parts of the world and are considered one of the highest-paying events.
Not only do famous cyclists make money from competitions, but they also endorse the products and services of companies.
Renowned cyclist Lance Armstrong is ranked 9th on the list of richest athletes in 2010, released by Forbes, with a net worth of $ 28 million. Lance is also one of the highest-paid athletes in 2022.
Conclusion
No doubt you have a favorite among the top highest paid sports list above. As stated earlier, if your goal is to venture into one of the sports listed above, we hope this article serves as a positive guide for you.