NFL stars except Patrick Mahomes fail to make it to the top-10 highest-paid athletes 2023 list despite playing in the richest $143 billion worth sports league in the world

Mahomes cracks top 10 of the highest paid athletes in the world.

NFL stars except Patrick Mahomes fail to make it to the top-10 highest-paid athletes 2023 list despite playing in the richest $143 billion worth sports league in the world

Jan 21, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) reacts against the Buffalo Bills in the second half of the 2024 AFC divisional round game at Highmark Stadium (Image via IMAGO)

Patrick Mahomes is undeniably one of the most recognizable football players in the NFL. A two-time Super Bowl winner, a two-time Super Bowl MVP, a two-time NFL MVP, countless commercials, and a feature on the cover of EA’s Madden video game make the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback the unofficial face of the NFL.

So it’s natural that he would be earning a pretty penny. While he and the Chiefs prepare for Super Bowl LVIII in Vegas, Sportico compiles a list of the top-earning athletes. The NFL is one of the most profitable leagues in the world, pulling in sponsorship deals worth $2.35 billion.

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However, besides Mahomes, there aren’t any other football players on the top 10 of Sportico’s list. The 28-year-old ranks 10th, which includes four soccer players. 4 NBA players and one golfer. Just behind in the 11th spot is the current NFL MVP, Lamar Jackson. For the next football player, one has to scroll down to the 26th sport to find 49ers pass rusher Nick Bosa.

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Here are the top 10 highest-paid athletes in the world as per Sportico:

Name SportsSalary/WinningsEndorsementsTotal Earnings
Cristiano RonaldoSoccer$215M$60M$275M
Jon RahmGolf$181M$22M$203M
Lionel MessiSoccer$65M$65M$130M
LeBron JamesNBA$45.7M$80M$125.7M
Kylian MbappéSoccer$100M$25M$125M
NeymarSoccer$86M$35M$121M
Stephen CurryNBA$48.9M$50M$98.9M
Giannis AntetokounmpoNBA$43.4M$45M$88.4M
Kevin DurantNBA$44.9M$42M$86.9M
Patrick Mahomes Football/NFL$59.3M$25M$84.3M

Patrick Mahomes’ contract with the Chiefs

The six-time Pro Bowler is known to play for the team. He prefers to keep his salary low so the Chiefs can add quality players in key areas. Yet arguably the best football player still takes home a handsome check. The Chiefs restructured Mahomes’ salary to $210.6 million between 2023 and 2026.

NFL stars except Patrick Mahomes fail to make it to the top-10 highest-paid athletes 2023 list despite playing in the richest $143 billion worth sports league in the world
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) scrambles against the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 31, 2023, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Image via IMAGO)

That could increase to $218.1 million by the end of 2026, depending on whether the contractual clauses in the contract are met. NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero confirmed that the $210.6 million is guaranteed over the next four years.

Mahomes initially signed a 10 year, $450 million contract with the Chiefs in 2020. Under that deal, he was to play with the Chiefs till 2031. He also earns a significant chunk of his money through various endorsements. Notable sponsors like Hy-Vee, Oakley, Direct TV, Essentia Water, and Adidas have worked with him in the past.

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