When it comes to sports contracts, we often focus on the jaw-dropping total figures—multi-year commitments worth hundreds of millions. But if you want to know who’s really cashing in big every single year, you’ll want to look at average annual salaries—and the results might shock you.
From Cristiano Ronaldo’s latest Saudi-backed megadeal to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s record-breaking NBA extension, the biggest paydays in sports history prove one thing: in 2025, it’s all about shorter contracts with sky-high yearly payouts.
Let’s break down the athletes who are making bank like never before.
🏆 Top 10 Highest Average Annual Salaries in Sports History
| Rank | Athlete | Contract Details | Sport | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo (2025) | 2 years, $620M (Al Nassr) | ⚽ Soccer | $310M |
| 2 | Karim Benzema (2023) | 2 years, $436M (Al-Ittihad) | ⚽ Soccer | $218M |
| 3 | Cristiano Ronaldo (2022) | 2.5 years, $536M (Al Nassr) | ⚽ Soccer | $214.5M |
| 4 | Lionel Messi (2017–2021) | 4 years, $674M (FC Barcelona) | ⚽ Soccer | $168.5M |
| 5 | Kylian Mbappé (2022) | 3 years, $681M (PSG)* | ⚽ Soccer | $227M |
| 6 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2025) | 4 years, $285M (OKC Thunder) | 🏀 Basketball | $71.25M |
| 7 | Shohei Ohtani (2023)** | 10 years, $700M (LA Dodgers) | ⚾ Baseball | $70M |
| 8 | Canelo Álvarez (2018) | 5 years, $365M (DAZN) | 🥊 Boxing | $73M |
| 9 | Jayson Tatum (2024) | 5 years, $314M (Boston Celtics) | 🏀 Basketball | $62.8M |
| 10 | Jaylen Brown (2023) | 5 years, $303.7M (Boston Celtics) | 🏀 Basketball | $60.7M |
💡 Did you know?
Mbappé’s mind-blowing PSG deal included a $180M signing bonus, while Ohtani’s deal defers most of his money until 2034.
🤑 Saudi Money Is Changing the Game
Cristiano Ronaldo’s latest deal with Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr is the largest annual payday in sports history—a staggering $310M per year. That’s enough to make even Hollywood A-listers blush.
Ronaldo’s two Saudi contracts (2022 and 2025) both crack the top 3, cementing his status as the world’s first billionaire footballer.
Karim Benzema isn’t far behind with his two-year, $436M Al-Ittihad contract, averaging $218M annually. And Kylian Mbappé’s PSG megadeal, loaded with incentives, keeps him in the elite circle.
It’s clear: Saudi Arabia’s aggressive push for global soccer talent is rewriting sports history—one astronomical contract at a time.
🏀 NBA Stars Are Catching Up
Not to be outdone, the NBA is producing some of the biggest annual salaries in U.S. sports history.
- In July 2025, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander inked a 4-year, $285M extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder, worth $71.25M per year—the highest average salary in NBA, MLB, and NFL history.
- Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown also made the cut, earning over $60M annually thanks to the league’s skyrocketing salary cap.
🎙️ “The NBA is a goldmine for superstars,” one sports analyst said. “Fewer players, higher caps, and guaranteed deals mean big checks for elite talent.”
⚾ Why Baseball Looks Different
Shohei Ohtani’s $700M Dodgers deal is the largest contract in baseball history, but here’s the catch:
Most of his money is deferred—he’s only receiving $2M per year until 2034.
Meanwhile, Juan Soto’s 15-year, $765M contract may top all others in total value, but its $50M annual average doesn’t even crack this top 10 list.
💸 The Real Lesson: Speed Beats Size
While long-term contracts dominate the headlines, the real winners are those with short, high-value deals. Soccer and basketball stars are cashing in faster than ever, with guaranteed money and massive bonuses.
📣 What do you think?
Should players prioritize total value or annual salary? Who do you think will smash Ronaldo’s record next?
💬 Drop your thoughts below and stay tuned for more exclusive sports money insights!
