Big contracts don’t just buy trophies, but they purchase supercars, mansions, private jets, and side businesses for the worlds wealthiest athletes.
Here’s a quick tour of today’s top earners in each sport and a peek at a few of their splashiest purchases and side projects.
Cristiano Ronaldo
- Sport: Soccer
- Salary: $234,304,000
Beyond his Al Nassr mega-deal, Ronaldo has invested in Pestana CR7 hotels in Europe and built out fashion and fitness brands under the CR7 label. His car collection features ultra-rare exotics, including a reported one-of-ten Bugatti Centodieci. He also maintains multiple luxury homes, from Madrid to Madeira.
Jon Rahm
- Sport: Golf
- Salary: $100,000,000
Rahm jumped to LIV Golf on a multiyear, nine-figure contract and now captains his own team. He splits time between Spain and the Phoenix/Scottsdale golf hub. Off the course, he’s linked with premium travel partners and keeps a relatively low-key garage compared with other stars.
Canelo Álvarez
- Sport: Boxing
- Salary: $73,000,000
Outside the ring, Álvarez has built a portfolio that includes gas stations and convenience stores in Mexico, a canned-cocktail brand, and restaurants. He’s known for a sprawling Southern California base and a serious car habit—from modern supercars to classic restorations.
Max Verstappen
- Sport: Formula 1
- Salary: $72,000,000
Verstappen is signed long-term with Red Bull Racing and has dominated F1 in recent seasons. He keeps a residence in Monaco and is known to travel by private jet for the long-haul circuits. The champ also collects high-performance road cars befitting his day job.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Sport: Basketball (NBA)
- Salary: $71,250,000
Gilgeous-Alexander’s max deal underpins a rapidly expanding brand: he serves as a creative partner at Converse and debuted a signature sneaker. Off the court, he reportedly purchased a sleek modern mansion in Nichols Hills near Oklahoma City. His fashion-forward partnerships and tunnel fits are part of the appeal.
Shohei Ohtani
- Sport: Baseball (MLB)
- Salary: $70,000,000
Ohtani’s record 10-year, $700 million Dodgers deal is famously structured with heavy deferrals—he draws a modest salary during the term and more later. In 2024 he bought a contemporary home in La Cañada Flintridge near Los Angeles. Endorsements and a global fan base make his off-field earnings equally elite.
Dak Prescott
- Sport: American Football (NFL)
- Salary: $60,000,000
Prescott’s latest Dallas contract puts him in the very top tier for annual NFL pay. He’s made headlines for his Prosper, Texas property, complete with a branded backyard practice field, and a garage fit for a franchise quarterback. Community and business investments round out his portfolio.
Kyle Busch
- Sport: NASCAR
- Salary: $16,900,000
Busch, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, has diversified beyond the track by selling his race teams and focusing on Cup competition. He listed a lavish Lake Norman estate featuring a pool with a swim-up bar and a private beach. Expect plenty of horsepower in the driveway, too.
Roman Reigns
- Sport: WWE (Pro wrestling)
- Salary: $15,000,000
Reigns has headlined WWE’s modern era, commanding top-of-card paydays and merchandising clout. Based in the Tampa area, he’s often associated with a luxury SUV lineup well-suited to family life. The persona may be tribal, but the taste is decidedly premium.
Fabio Quartararo
- Sport: MotoGP
- Salary: $14,058,240
The 2021 MotoGP world champion keeps a residence in Andorra, a popular base for riders. He’s been spotted around town in a Ferrari F8 Tributo and shows a clear taste for high-end street machines. When he’s not riding, he’s refining fits and gear with fashion-forward sponsors.
Leon Draisaitl
- Sport: Ice Hockey (NHL)
- Salary: $14,000,000
Draisaitl is one of the NHL’s most productive scorers and is set to earn at the very top of hockey’s pay scale. In Edmonton, he keeps things relatively understated, but partnerships have put him behind the wheel of luxury SUVs. Charitable work through team and personal foundations is a notable spend.
