Top 10 Highest Paying Sports in the World 2017

The world of sports is an entertainment of glamour and glitz. The sports world offers lucrative career options for all those who are talented and who are very much keen to establish themselves. In the recent world, there is hardly anyone who doesn’t look for the highest paying jobs. In this case, sports offer a huge profitable career option for them. All the successful sportsmen are among the highest paid athletes in the world. The lists of highest paid athletes are updating every year by different organizations who evaluate the net worth of the athletes.

One of the most reliable and famous lists is published by the Forbes magazine. The total earnings are calculated is based on the money derived from salary, prize money, endorsements and advertising income. A huge sum of money is generated every year from sports industry. The money is increasing proportionately with the popularity of sports throughout the world.

It is obvious that, the athletes earn enough money from the games and tournaments in the form of team salary, let alone the endorsement deals, in order to put them among the wealthiest stars of the world.

Top 10 Highest Paying Sports of the World 2017:

Today, we will focus on the highest paid sports of the world. Just scroll down to find what is the highest paying sport. Hope you’ll enjoy the top 10 list and most importantly, please don’t forget to give us your valuable comments regarding the list of “Top 10 highest paying sports in the world 2017”.

Let’s find out, what is the highest paying sport in the world 2017?

Highest paid sport No 10: CYCLING

Back in the year 1899, Charles Minthorn Murphy turned out to be the first cyclist to cover a mile’s distance under a minute’s time. He earned himself a nickname “Mile-a-Minute Murphy”. Cycling is considered as one of the most active sports in the world. However, cycles and other human-powered vehicles have undergone enormous innovations around the years. There are many cycling tournaments that are counted among the highest paying sports events in the world. The famous cyclists get enough money from the tournament earning. Cycling has many formats like, track cycling, BMX, Mountain cycling, road bicycle racing, time trailing etc. Bicycle racing is one of the recognized Olympic sports. Free style BMX cycling is one of the extreme sports in the world.

Moreover, they earn a huge sum of money from various endorsement deals. Legendary as well as the most controversial cyclist of modern days, Lance Armstrong achieved the No. 9 place in the Forbes list of Highest Paid Athletes in 2010 with an income of $28 million. Cycling is the No. 10 in our list of top 10 highest paying sports of the world 2017.

Also Read: Top 10 sports magazines in the world 2016

Highest paid sport No. 9: BASEBALL

A famous sports columnist, Jayson Stark once described baseball as “a unique paragon of American culture“. Baseball is still among the major sports of United States. More than 2.1 million people from USA alone participate in baseball. The baseball players are among the highest paid athletes in the world, especially because of the huge viewership of MLB. We consider baseball for the No. 9 position in our list of top 10 highest paying sports of the world 2016.

Famous American baseball player named Cecil Fielder was at No. 8 spot in the Forbes list of Richest Players in 1993, while his total annual income was $12.7 million. Another baseball player, Alex Rodriguez attained the 7th place in Forbes list of highest paid athletes in 2003 with a total income of $26 million. In 2004, Alex again marked his name at 9th spot with a total income of $26.2 million and in 2011, it became $35 million while he secured his position.

For thirteen years straight, Major League Baseball has seen its increased revenue in 2015. MLB generated estimated  $9.5 billion in 2015 which is $500 million more than in 2014. The average value of an MLB team is $1.2 billion in the season of 2015-16. The biggest reason behind this economic boost is the proliferation of lucrative media contracts. MLB has made over $12.4 billion TV deal with FOX and TBS. In the recent years, many MLB teams have linked with approximately $1+ TV contracts.

Also Read: Top 10 highest earning female athletes in 2016

Highest paid sport No. 8: ICE HOCKEY

Ice hockey is often referred to as “The Fastest Game on Earth” because of its fast pace. The game is considered among the highest paying sports in the world, with the ice hockey players having secured decent places in the top paid athletes list. The players frequently put themselves in the Forbes’ richest list. In 1994, the eminent ice hockey player Wayne Gretzky achieved the 5th place in Forbes list of highest paid athletes with the income of $13.5 million. Ice hockey is the 8th highest paid sport in our list of top 10 highest paying sports in the world 2016.

The following year, he achieved 10th place in the list with $14.5 million worth of total income. In 1997, another famous ice hockey player, Joe Sakic from Canada achieved the 9th place in Forbes list of richest players, while his net worth was $17.9 million. In 1998, the Russian ice hockey player Sergei Federov attained 3rd place in Forbes list of highest paid athletes with a stunning $29.8 million income.

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Highest paid sport No. 7: TENNIS

Tennis is one of the most popular sports worldwide and the game is played by millions throughout the world. Tennis is at No. 7 spot in our list of top 10 highest paying sports in the world in 2016. With WTA tours being among the highest paid tennis tournaments of the world, the tennis players quite frequently secure their place in Forbes Richest players list. In 1992, the great tennis player Andre Agassi achieved 6th in the list of highest paid athletes, with a total of $11 million worth of income.

In 1993, it was Jim Courier who achieved the 9th place in the Forbes list of richest players with a total income of $12.6 million. Recent days, the tennis superstar Roger Federer achieved 6th place in richest list of Forbes in 2008, 2010 and 2013, having a net worth of $35 million, $43 million and $71.5 million respectively.

The women tennis players also earn huge sum of money. Just take a look at the WTA prize money ranking in 2017:

Also Read: Top 10 hottest female Tennis players in the world 2016

Highest paid sport No. 6: SOCCER

Soccer is one of the most excited and popular sports all over the world, especially in Europe. Legendary English footballer David Beckham was inducted in 2004 Forbes list of richest players at No. 8 spot with a total income of $28 million. The following year, he also secured 7th place in Forbes’ list with $32.5 million net worth and again he achieved 6th place in 2007 with $33 million. We have selected soccer for the 6th place in our list of top 10 highest paying sports in the world 2017.

In 2007, Brazilian sensation Ronaldinho achieved 9th place in the Forbes list of richest athletes with the net worth of $31 million. In 2008, it was David Beckham again securing the 2nd place in Forbes list while his net worth was of $50 million. And then comes the age of Cristiano Ronaldo, the legendary Portuguese footballer, who placed 2nd in Forbes 2014 list of highest paid soccer players while Cristiano Ronaldo net worth was of $80 million. Last year, Argentine footballer Lionel Messi with the net worth of $64.7 million achieved the 4th place in the list of highest paid athletes.

Also Read: Top 10 best soccer players in the world 2016

Highest paid sport No. 5: AMERICAN FOOTBALL

American Football is a widely popular game which is also known for being one of the highest paying sports in the world as the American footballers frequently secure position in the Forbes list of Richest Players. In 1992, the American footballer Joe Montana first achieved 7th place in the Forbes list with $9.5 million income. With the income of $22.5, American Football legend Deion Sanders achieved 3rd place in 1995 list.

In 2004, famous NFL player Peyton Manning secured the 3rd place in the Forbes list of Highest paid athletes with a total income of $42 million. In 2005, Michael Vick with his $37.5 million income, placed 4th in the list. Tom Brady, one of the greatest NFL players of all time, attained the 9th place in Forbes Richest Players list in 2006 with the net worth of $29 million. American Football is at No. 5 in our list of top 10 highest paying sports in the world in 2017.

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Highest paid sport No. 4: GOLF

One of the greatest golfers of all time and a legendary athlete, Tiger Woods, still holds the record of being in the first place in Forbes list of highest paid athletes for a record 11 times. Tiger Woods topped the Forbes list in 2002 with $69 million, in 2003 with $78 million, in 2004 with $80.3 million, in 2005 with $87 million, in 2006 with $90 million, in 2007 with $100 million, in 2008 $115 million, in 2009 with $110 million, in 2010 with $105 million, in 2011 with $75 million and again in 2013 while Tiger Woods net worth was of $78.1 million.

PGA tour money-leaders in 2017:

PGA tour is the largest platform where the golfers all over the world perform. The players can earn unimaginable amount of money from this golf championship. Thus Golf has become one of the highest paying sports in the world. Here is the leader board:

Many years before Tiger Woods, it was Jack Nicklaus, the greatest golfer of all time secured the 3rd place in 1994 Forbes list with $14.8 million and Arnold Palmer achieved the 4th place the same year with a total income of $13.6 million. Golf is a gentlemen’s game and it’s a richest game too. We put Golf at No. 4 in our list of top 10 highest paying sports in the world 2017.

Also Read: Top 10 hottest female golfers in the world

Highest paid sport No. 3: AUTO RACING

Various auto racing events like the F1 Grand Prix or Nascar are counted among the highest paying sports in the world. The risks involved in this sport get compromised a bit with a huge winning prize money besides several endorsement deals of reputed sports brands. Auto racing is indeed a millionaires’ game. It makes the sport the 3rd highest paying sport in our list.

The legendary F1 driver Michael Schumacher achieved the first place in 1999 in the Forbes list of richest players with an income of $49 million and again stood first in 2000 with $59 million net worth. In 1992, famous auto racer Ayrton Senna secured the 3rd place in Forbes list of highest paid athletes with $22 million income and the same year another race driver Nigel Mansell achieved the 4th place with a net income of $14.5 million.

Also read: Top 10 most amazing sports cars in 2016

Highest paid sport No. 2: BOXING

Boxing is one of the dangerous sports in modern times. The game is also reputed for being the best paying sports event in the world. The boxers earn a huge sum of prize money from the tournaments. They also get good amount of profit from Pay-Per-View commissions, endorsements and betting. In 1991, the reputed boxer Mike Tyson first topped the Forbes list of Richest Players with a total income of $28.6 million and again the legendary boxer achieved the same place in 1996 with $75 million net income.

Boxing is considered for the 2nd place in our list of top 10 highest paying sports in the world 2017. In 1992, another boxing legend Evander Holyfield topped the Forbes list of Richest Players with a total $60.5 million income. After a little break, another boxer, Floyd Mayweather topped the Forbes Richest Players list with $85 million worth in 2012 and again he topped the list in 2014 with a net income of $105 million.

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Highest paid sport No. 1: BASKETBALL

Reputed basketball tournaments like NBA are widely considered among the highest paid sports events around the globe. The participants earn a numerous from their endorsements. Besides, they earn millions as the salaries from their respected teams. Famous basketball player signed shoes and jerseys also boost their income on yearly basis. The greatest basketball player, Michael Jordan topped the Forbes Magazine’s list of highest paid basketball players in 1992, with his income of $35.9 million.

He also topped in 1993 with $36 million, in 1994 with $30.01 million, in 1995 with $43.9 million, in 1997 with $78.3 million, and in 1998 with a total income of $69 million. Another basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal also achieved the 6th place in 1993 in Forbes list of most earning players with the income of $15.2 million and again achieved the 2nd place in 1994 with the net worth of $16.7 million.

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In conclusion,

Sports industry is undoubtedly the right place for an athlete to find great wealth and fame. For the athletes, it is the highest paying jobs in the whole world. That’s why many young people want to build a career in sports, in pursuit of fame and most importantly for money. However, many of them forget that it takes more than just the want for wealth and fame in sports. A true sportsman has to be dedicated to his sport and become really good at it. Only then, the rest of the things will follow as rewards. Sports may be lucrative, but they are challenging too by nature.