Which are the Top 10 Highest Paid Sports in the World as of 2022?
The entertainment industry is fast expanding in different forms and budgets. With sports being a core form of entertainment as more individuals train to be sports entertainers daily.
Among the various forms of sports, some athletes receive more payments than others depending on factors like sponsorship, endorsement, prestige, and others.
Is soccer the highest paid sport? You should check out our post about the top 10 highest paid players in EPL if you’re a soccer fan.
In this article, we’ll walk through the highest-paid sports in the world, from the least to the highest, in that order.
The Top 10 Highest Paid Sports In the World
Ready? Let’s dive in!
#10. Wrestling
Coming up at the rear in the list of highest paid sports in the world is wrestling. It is also ranked as one of the most popular sports in the United States. It is also very popular in Canada and Mexico.
Important wrestling leagues include World Wrestling Entertainment(WWE), Impact Wrestling, All Elite Wrestling (AEW), and National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), among many others.
Currently, Brock Lesnar is the highest-paid WWE performer, earning a reported $12 million yearly. Other wrestling icons include Braun Strowman, Drew McIntyre, Seth Rollins, The Undertaker, and many others.
#9. Ice Hockey
Next up on the list of the highest paid sports in the world is Ice hockey. It is also ranked as the #4 most watched sport and one of the most played sports in America. It is quite popular in Canada and Europe.
The International Hockey Foundation (FIH) is the global governing body of Hockey. Major ice hockey leagues include the National Hockey League(US-based), Canadian Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and others.
Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers is currently the highest-paid NHL player, earning about $12.5 million. Other top ice hockey players include Artemi Panarin, Erik Karlsson, Drew Doughty, and others.
#8. Baseball
Next on the list of highest paid sports in the world is baseball. Baseball is yet another popular sport in the world, especially in the United States and Europe.
The International Baseball Federation (IBAF) is its global governing body. Major League Baseball(MLB), Minor League Baseball, American League, National League, and others are popular baseball leagues.
Max Scherzer is currently the highest-paid MLB player, earning over $43 million. Other Baseball stars include Carlos Correa, Mike Trout, and Gerrit Cole, among many others.
#7. Tennis
This list of the top 10 highest paid sports won’t be complete without tennis. It is ranked as the #4 most popular game in the world with over one billion fans worldwide.
The International Tennis Foundation (ITF) is the global governing body of tennis. Major tennis tournaments include Wimbledon, the US Open, Australian Open, French Open, ATP, Davis Cup, and many others.
Roger Federer is currently the highest-paid tennis player, earning over $106 million. Other tennis icons include Novak Djokovic, Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams, Daniil Medvedev, and many others.
#6. Soccer
The sixth highest-paid sport in the world is soccer. Worldatlas easily puts soccer as the most popular sport in the world, having over 4 billion fans worldwide.
The Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) is soccer’s worldwide governing body. Top soccer tournaments include FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, Premier League, and many others.
Related: Top 20 Richest Soccer players in the world
Kylian Mbappe is currently the highest-paid soccer player, with a weekly pay of £1 million. Other football stars are Lionel Messi, Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Kevin de Bruyne, among many others.
#5. American Football
Coming as #5 on the list is the ‘dogged’ American football. Its governing body is the International Federation of American Football (IFAF). Of course, it is most popular in the United States and Canada.
The National Football League(NFL) is the most popular league based in the United States. American football also has its place as one of the most dangerous sports in the world.
Aaron Rodgers is the highest-paid NFL player earning about $50 million annually. Other major NFL stars include Kyler Murray, Patrick Mahomes, Dak Prescott, Matthew Stafford, and Josh Allen.
#4. Golf
Golf, ranking 4th on the list of the highest paid sports in the world, is most popular in Europe and the United States. Its worldwide governing body is the International Golf Federation (IGF). It’s no surprise that we list this among the highest-paid sports in the world.
Golfers earn money through sponsorships, tournament funding, brand promotions, and golf tours. Phil Mickelson, currently the highest-paid golfer, earns $138 million and is among the world’s top 50 highest-paid athletes.
Other golf stars include the popular Tiger Woods, Rory Mcllroy, Dustin Johnson, Charl Schwartzel, Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed, and many others.
Related: Top 10 Betting apps in Nigeria
#3. Auto Racing
Occupying third place in the list of the highest paid sports in the world is auto racing. Auto Racing is most popular in the United States, Australia, and Europe. Its governing body is the International Automobile Federation (FIA).
Auto racing is also ranked as one of the most dangerous sports. Popular auto racing events include the Grand Prix, Formula One, NASCAR, and many others.
Big names like Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Fernando, Lando Norris, Dale Earnhardt, and many others are well-known in auto racing.
However, Lewis Hamilton is the highest-paid race car driver and earns a reported $36 million.
#2. Boxing
Currently, boxing is the second among the top highest-paid sports in the world. It is most popular in the United States and Europe. Its main governing body is the International Boxing Association (IBA).
Boxers earn money from viewer ticket commissions, endorsements, high-end tournaments, betting, event poolings, and other channels.
Popular names in the boxing world include Floyd Mayweather Jr, George Foreman, Canelo Alvarez, Anthony Joshua, Tysoe Fury, Logan Paul, Deonatay Wilder, and many others.
These stars have made their mark in boxing and occupy distinguished positions in Forbes’ annual lists of highest-paid athletes in the world
#1. Basketball
Topping the list of the highest paid sports in the world is basketball. The world’s #1 legit highest-paid sport. Basketball originated in the United States and is among the most popular sports by viewership in North America.
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) is its main governing body. Major basketball leagues include NBA, FIBA, Euroleague, National Basketball League, and others.
Want to know the richest NBA players? Check out our list of the top 20 richest basketball players in the world.
Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors is currently the highest-paid NBA player, earning over $48 million. Other basketball stars include LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and others.
Summary of the Highest Paid Sports In the World
There you have the list of the top 10 highest paid sports in the world. Did you know that the list of ESPN Top Salaries in Sports 2011 had baseball and boxing with the highest individual salary in that year?
Over the past 12 years, basketball, boxing, auto racing, and golf and taken the top spots.
Which of these sports do you love watching or taking part in? Let’s have your comments in the box provided below.
