Sport pays its stars twice: once for playing, and again for everything their name sells. These are the ten highest estimated net worth figures among the 3740 athlete profiles StarWorth tracks.
| # | Celebrity | Known for | Estimated net worth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Jordan | Basketball player | $3.6B |
| 2 | Ion Țiriac | Tennis player | $2.4B |
| 3 | Magic Johnson | Basketball player | $1.6B |
| 4 | Chung Mong-joon | Association football player | $1.6B |
| 5 | Junior Bridgeman | Basketball player | $1.5B |
| 6 | Tiger Woods | Golfer | $1.3B |
| 7 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Footballer | $1.2B |
| 8 | David W. Grainger | Researcher | $1.1B |
| 9 | Ken Kendrick | Baseball player | $1.1B |
| 10 | Lionel Messi | Footballer | $1.0B |
Playing contracts are only the first layer. Endorsement deals with global brands frequently out-earn salaries over a career, and the very richest athletes convert fame into ownership — stakes in teams, leagues, media companies and consumer brands that keep appreciating after retirement.
Timing matters too. Athletes in individual sports keep a far larger share of prize money than team-sport players, while team stars benefit from guaranteed contracts and longer commercial careers. Either way, the fortunes on this list were finished off the field: the playing years built the name, and the business years built the number.
All figures are StarWorth estimates as of 28 October 2026, researched from published reporting. They are estimates, not audited valuations — see how our figures work. Spot an error? Send a correction.