Reports specialized in financial aspects of the sports world have revealed a list of the highest-paid athletes in the 33rd edition of the Summer Olympic Games in France. Over time, the Olympic Games have transitioned from a showcase for amateur athletes—when the first modern edition launched in Greece in 1896 prohibited professional participation—to a meeting place for the most professional athletes. A report from the "Sportico" platform indicates that the athletes participating in the Paris Olympics receive a total salary of approximately 1.35 billion USD, including wages, bonuses, awards, sponsorship deals, and more. However, there are athletes who alternate between full-time and part-time jobs to cover their training and competition-related expenses.
Spanish golfer Jon Rahm (29 years old) tops the list of highest-paid athletes in the Paris 2024 Olympics, with total earnings of 210 million USD. Rahm earns 190 million USD as a salary, plus 20 million from sponsorship contracts. He has ranked first among global golfers for 60 weeks, a record. Rahm made history as the first Spanish player to win the U.S. Open Golf Championship in 2023. Forbes magazine has also ranked him as the second highest-paid athlete in 2024, following Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, leader of the Saudi Arabian football club Al Nassr.
American LeBron James, a player for the Los Angeles Lakers and the U.S. basketball team, is in second place with total earnings of 127.7 million USD, of which 80 million comes from sponsorship deals and 47.7 million as salary. James remains the highest-paid basketball player in the world according to Forbes and is the fourth highest-paid athlete globally in 2024, with total earnings of 128.2 million USD. Four American basketball stars made the list of the highest-paid athletes in the Paris Olympics, ranked from second place occupied by LeBron James to fifth place, with incomes ranging from 89 to 127 million USD.
Stephen Curry, a player for the Golden State Warriors, ranks third with total earnings of 101.9 million USD, split between 51.9 million as salary and 50 million from sponsorship deals. Curry is regarded as the greatest shooter in basketball and one of the game's top stars, not only of this generation but throughout history. He has won the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award twice and has captured the championship title four times.
Greek-Nigerian Giannis Antetokounmpo, a player for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Greek national basketball team, holds fourth place with earnings of 100.8 million USD, including 45.8 million in salary and 55 million from sponsorships. Antetokounmpo is recognized as the fifth highest-paid athlete globally according to Forbes, with 111 million USD in 2024. He is the only player in the NBA to finish a season ranked first in points, assists, blocks, rebounds, and steals statistics.
American Kevin Durant, from the Phoenix Suns, comes in fifth with a total of 89.7 million USD, including 47.7 million in salary and 42 million from sponsorship deals. Durant was part of the U.S. team that won the gold medal in basketball at the last three Olympic Games in London 2012, Rio de Janeiro 2016, and Tokyo 2020. He holds the record for the most points in U.S. Olympic history with 435 points, the most attempts with 276, and the highest number of three-pointers made at 74.
