In this gallery, we look at the highest-paid sports stars of each decade. It should be noted, however, that athlete earnings are difficult to verify before the 1990s, so figures and rankings for earlier decades are based on historical estimates. Forbes then introduced their Highest-Paid Athletes list, which is more reliable.
1) 2020s: Cristiano Ronaldo
1) 2020s: Cristiano Ronaldo
The highest-earning sport star of this decade, so far, is CR7. Ronaldo has dominated the rankings since 2024, earning a whopping $275 million in 2025 alone. In 2025, Ronaldo was reported to have become the first active team sport athlete to reach a net worth of $1 billion. Sources: (Love Money) (Forbes).
2) 2010s: Floyd Mayweather Jr.
The 2010s saw professional boxing back on top with Floyd Mayweather Jr. earning $915 million between 2010 and 2019. Over $500 million came from two fights alone—one against Manny Pacquiao in 2015 and another against Conor McGregor in 2017.
3) 2000s: Tiger Woods
The athlete in question is Tiger Woods. The golf superstar topped the rankings throughout the decade, and he eventually became a billionaire in 2022. Throughout the 2000s, Tiger Woods earned nearly $1 billion, which is the equivalent of around $1.5 billion today.
4) 1990s: Michael Jordan
It was none other than NBA legend Michael Jordan. Number 23 earned a record $33 million during the 1997–98 season with the Chicago Bulls. But Jordan's earnings went beyond his career as an athlete. The NBA star closed a highly profitable royalty deal with Nike, and the rest is history.
5) 1980s: Sugar Ray Leonard
Michael Jordan's rise began late in the decade, but one athlete dominated most of the '80s when it comes to earning: boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard. Sugar Ray Leonard became the first boxer to surpass $100 million in career earnings. His 1989 comeback bout alone earned him at least $15 million.
6) 1970s: Muhammad Ali
But in the 1970s, the big bucks were made in boxing. Muhammad Ali was the highest-earning athlete of the decade, amassing millions in numerous fights. Ali earned $2.5 million for the 1971 Fight of the Century alone. Other highly profitable wins included the Rumble in the Jungle, where he made $5.45 million. Ali also made around $6 million for the Thrilla in Manila.
7) 1960s: Arnold Palmer
But the 1960's highest-earning sports star was Arnold Palmer. He became the first professional golfer to surpass $1 million in career earnings. By the end of the decade, Palmer's annual income reportedly reached $10 million.
8) 1950s: Sugar Ray Robinson
Sugar Ray Robinson was the decade’s highest-paid athlete, accumulating career earnings equivalent to around $48 million today.
9) 1950s: Rocky Marciano
Rocky Marciano was one of the top earners of the decade, only surpassed by another boxer—Sugar Ray Robinson.
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