Athlete Incomes Soar: Ronaldo, Kelce, Biles, and the Evolving Landscape of Sports Wealth
The financial landscape of professional sports continues to evolve, with top athletes earning record-breaking sums through contracts, endorsements, and savvy business ventures. Recent reports shed light on the impressive incomes of stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Travis Kelce, and Simone Biles, highlighting the diverse ways athletes are building wealth both on and off the field.
Cristiano Ronaldo's Unprecedented $677 Million Deal
Cristiano Ronaldo has once again cemented his status as one of the highest-paid athletes in the world. In late June 2025, the Portuguese superstar signed a two-year contract extension with Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr, a deal reportedly worth a staggering $677 million. This contract is considered the most lucrative in the history of sports.
The details of Ronaldo's contract are astounding. He receives a basic annual salary of approximately $245 million, equating to roughly $670,000 per day. In addition to this, he was given a $34 million signing bonus, which will increase to $52 million if he remains with the club until the end of the deal. Ronaldo also secured a 15% ownership stake in Al-Nassr, valued at around $45 million. Performance-based bonuses further sweeten the pot, with incentives such as $110,000 per goal and $55,000 per assist, increasing by 20% in the second year of the contract.
Al-Nassr covers Ronaldo's private jet expenses and the salaries of his 16-member personal staff, which are estimated at $1.9 million annually. Beyond his Al-Nassr contract, Ronaldo's income is boosted by major endorsement deals with global brands like Nike, Binance, and Herbalife, as well as his successful CR7 brand.
Travis Kelce Becomes NFL's Highest-Paid Tight End
Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs' star tight end, has also seen his earnings skyrocket. In April 2024, Kelce signed a two-year, $34.25 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid player at his position in the NFL, with an average annual salary of $17.125 million.
In 2025, Kelce is slated to earn a base salary of $4.5 million, coupled with a $12.5 million roster bonus and a $250,000 workout bonus. However, Kelce's off-field earnings are where he's making the most, estimated at $35 million between 2023 and 2024.
Kelce's income is a combination of his NFL salary, high-value endorsement deals with brands like Nike, Bud Light, State Farm, Experian, Pfizer, and Subway, and strategic investments in various ventures, including Formula One racing team Alpine, Cholula Hot Sauce, Hydrow, PlayersTV, RealTruck, Hilo Gummies, and Tru Kolors. Kelce's public profile has surged due to his relationship with Taylor Swift, further amplifying his endorsement value and leading to a reported $100 million deal for his "New Heights" podcast with his brother, Jason Kelce.
Simone Biles' Endorsement Powerhouse
Simone Biles, the celebrated gymnast, exemplifies the power of endorsements in modern sports. As of 2024, Biles' net worth is estimated at around $16 million, primarily driven by endorsements rather than competitive prize money.
While Olympic medal bonuses are significant ($37,500 for gold, $22,500 for silver, and $15,000 for bronze from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee), they represent a small fraction of her overall income. Biles earns at least $5 million annually from endorsements, marking her as one of the most marketable athletes in the world.
Biles has cultivated major endorsement deals with brands such as Uber Eats, SK-II, Visa, GK Elite, Athleta, and United Airlines. She also commands substantial fees for speaking engagements, estimated at $200,000 per event. Her real estate investments, including a luxurious home in Houston, further contribute to her financial portfolio. Biles' influence and marketability extend far beyond the gymnastics arena.
The Broader Trends in Athlete Compensation
The collective earnings of the world's top 10 highest-paid athletes in 2025 are reported to exceed $1.4 billion, with each member earning at least $100 million. This illustrates a significant increase in overall athlete compensation. A substantial portion of top athletes' income now comes from off-field ventures, including athlete-led media companies, NFT ventures, fashion brands, equity partnerships, and social media influencing.
Pay Disparity and Controversies
Shaquille O'Neal recently ignited controversy by highlighting the substantial pay gap between WNBA and NBA players, deeming it "unacceptable." He suggested controversial solutions like lowering the rim in the WNBA to enhance dunking and fan engagement, aiming to boost marketability and justify higher salaries for WNBA players like A'ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark, whose earnings are dwarfed by their NBA counterparts. This debate has fueled discussions on equity in professional sports, media coverage, and sponsorship deals.
College Athlete Compensation (NIL) and Trump's Executive Order
President Donald Trump recently signed an Executive Order aimed at banning "pay-for-play" payments to college athletes, which critics argue are essentially salaries. This action follows a 2021 Supreme Court ruling that allowed college athletes to profit from their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) through endorsements. The current system remains contentious, with concerns about it disproportionately benefiting wealthier university teams and potentially threatening the traditional model of college sports.
