Sports are a way of life for people from all walks of life. It is one of the most important activities unifying the world. People show their love for sports in different ways. The sports industry is a very lucrative one. According to the World Sports Encyclopaedia (2003) and https://www.toponlinecasinos.co.za/big-win-casinos/, there are about 8,000 indigenous sports and sporting games. However, of these numerous games, only a few are highly valuable and have achieved world status.
These sporting events pay their players handsomely and have turned many of them into millionaires. In this article from www.americancasinosites.com, we will be listing out the top four sports with the highest salaries and earnings in the world.
Basketball
A game played between two teams with ten players on the court. The sport was first introduced by James Naismith on December 1, 1891, at the International Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), a training school located in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Over the years, basketball has grown in popularity, especially in the US, making it a lucrative game of sports. Basketball is one of the highest-paid sports, with an average salary of $7,422,823 yearly for the 2018-19 season.
Former famous NBA superstar Michael Jordan is the first-ever sports athlete to hit a billion-dollar worth. According to Forbes, LeBron James and Steph Curry are among the highest-paid athletes. However, superstar LeBron has been the highest-paid player in NBA for six consecutive seasons, with a whopping salary of $92 million.
Furthermore, basketball players in countries like Spain, Italy, China, Greece, and Argentina earn above $1 million in salaries.
Football
Also known as soccer in some countries, it is a sport that involves twenty players in the field of play. It has been in existence since medieval times, although modern football originated in Great Britain in the 19th century.
Furthermore, football is arguably the most-watched sport in the world. Like basketball, it is a billion-dollar lucrative sport.
Over the years, the sport has seen legends grace it, like Pele, Maradona, and the great Ronaldo De Lima. With its lucrativeness, players have made income in the game.
Football players dominate the current Forbes list of top sports athlete earners, like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr, Arjen Robben and many more.
Argentine superstar Messi is the highest earner in football with a total valuation of $127 million, followed by Ronaldo at $109 million and Neymar at $105 million.
Tennis
Tennis can be said to be one of the most popular sports in the world. The top game stars are among the world’s highest earners. The sport’s biggest and most popular tournaments are the four grand slams.
Currently, the highest earners in the sport are the biggest household names; Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.
Roger Federer, popularly regarded as the greatest male tennis player ever, is the highest-paid in tennis, with a valuation of $93 million.
Boxing
Boxing is a combat sport that involves attack and defence with fists. The famous boxers earn considerable amounts in tournaments, pay-per-view commissions, betting, and royalties from endorsement deals.
According to Forbes, the retired undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather was the highest-paid athlete in 2012. In 2014, he retained the spot with a $105 million valuation.
