What is the highest paid sport in the world? | 10 best in 2022
Money and fame have now become synonymous with the sport, paving the way for a new set of multi-millionaires to burst onto the scene.
With over 8000 sporting activities around the world, one can imagine how difficult it is for sportspeople to engage in a sport that recognizes their efforts and rewards their hard work with money.
How true is the long-held perception that a sport's popularity does not necessarily translate into money for its participants and players?
Here are the top 10 highest paid sports in the world in 2022, compiled based on the latest findings.
The highest paid sport in the world? | 10 best in 2022
The highest paid sport in the world in 2022 includes;
10. Cycling
Cycling takes tenth place on the list.
Sport is a highly competitive physical activity. It is important to note that there are several categories of cycling racing, including road bike racing, time trial, cyclo-cross, mountain bike racing, track cycling, BMX and bicycle of track.
Non-racing cycling sports include artistic cycling, cycle polo, BMX freestyle and mountain bike trials.
With more than 15 cycling competitions in the calendar year. Rest assured that events such as the Strade Bianche, Milan-Sanremo, Tour of Flanders and Tour de France are sure to bring in big bucks for well-established cyclists.
Most of these riders also make a lot of money from sponsorship deals.
Legendary cyclist Lance Armstrong is said to have a net worth of $50 million
Besides him, Peter Sagan is considered the highest paid rider in professional cycling this season. The Slovak would earn €5m per season.
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9. Ice Hockey
Ice hockey ranks ninth on the list of highest paid sports in 2022. Dubbed by its lovers as the fastest game in the world, skaters don't run across the ice with a vulcanized rubber puck for nothing. They are very well paid.
The competition includes competitions like the Ice Hockey World Championship, Stanley Cup Playoffs, and the National Hockey League (NHL), among others.
According to Forbes, the highest paid player in the NHL for the 2022 season is Auston Matthews. Toronto Maple Leafs center earns $13 million in salary.
Matthews' income from endorsements, memorabilia and licensing is estimated at $3 million, bringing his total income to $16 million.
8. Tennis
Then it's tennis.
It is considered by many to be one of the most popular recreational sports played by millions of people around the world. Tennis players are among the best athletes in the world.
This news may not come as a shock as studies have proven that tennis is the second most demanding sport that will test your stamina.
In this vein, you will understand why it is a highly paid sport. According to a report by Forbes, the legendary Roger Federer is the highest earning tennis player in 2022.
Currently, Federer has earned a total of $52 million in endorsements from numerous companies like Nike, Rolex, and Credit Suisse.
Federer also reached $4.2 million as prize money which collectively earned him a total gross of $56.2 million this year.
Rafal Nadal, Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic among others are other notable high earners in the world of tennis.
7. Baseball
Baseball is one of the most played games in America. It is also one of the highest paid sports in the world due to its wide acceptance.
For example, the American baseball player Cecil Fielder became in 1993 the 8th richest person in the world according to Forbes with a total income of 12.7 million dollars.
6. Soccer
Coming in at number 6 is the sport which is considered to be the most popular and demanding sport in the world, football has once again made it into the list of highest paid sports in 2022.
Footballers are known for their extravagance as they often sign huge salary deals.
Notable names like English soccer player David Beckham once ranked 8th on the Forbes list of highest paid athletes in 2004 with a total income of $28 million.
Currently, Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona is the highest paid football star in the world, according to Forbes.
The six-time Ballon D'or winner earns $130 million a year.
Close behind is Cristiano Ronaldo who comes second after earning $120 million in the 2022 season.
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5. American Football
National Football League (NFL) lovers will have plenty to smile about as American football earns its rightful place on the list of highest paid sports in 2022.
Given the demanding nature of the sport, many will consider it appropriate that the salaries of these players continue to rise.
According to the latest report from overthecap.com, 32 NFL players now earn at least $20 million per season in average annual salary.
The highest paid player in the league is Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes earns $45 million per season in average annual salary with the deal he signed ahead of the 2020 season.
The second highest paid player in the league is Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, who earns $40 million per season. Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, who earns $39 million in average annual salary, is third.
4.Golf _
The club and ball sport ranks fourth as the highest paid sport in 2022.
According to Forbes, Mr. Tiger Woods remains the highest paid golfer in 2022,
According to Sportico.com, Mr. Woods' earnings were $62 million for the year.
The report revealed that Golf's top 10 earners earned approximately $300 million over the past 12 months, and only 29% came from prize money.
The other highest earning golfers are Phil Mickelson: $46.1 million Dustin Johnson: $40.8 million, Rory McIlroy: $32.8 million, Jordan Spieth, $29.6 million. Justin Thomas: $20.3 million, Bryson DeChambeau: $17.9 million and Xander Schauffele: $17.3 million.
The average salary of a professional golfer is estimated to be around $628,079.
3. Automatic Racing
Motor racing is in the bottom three as the highest paid sport in 2022.
With several racing events held every year, such as the Formula 1 Grand Prix, NASCAR, and Indianapolis 500, high risk and high reward is the catchphrase for racing drivers who simply can't lower their salaries.
Famous British driver and F1 champion Lewis Hamilton is the highest paid F1 driver for 2022. The 36-year-old recently signed a one-year contract extension with Mercedes worth $55 million.
After him, in second position, Fernando Alonso. Two-time champion Fernando Alonso is a Spaniard who claimed to earn USD 20,500,000.
Other drivers who are making a fortune in the sport are Charles Leclerc, Ferrari ($16.5m), Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin – £12m ($16.5m) Daniel Ricciardo. McLaren - £11m ($15m) Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes - £7.5m ($10.5m) Kimi Raikkonen, Alfa Romeo - £6.5m ($9.5m) Carlos Sainz. Ferrari - £6m ($8.5m) Lance Stroll, Aston Martin - £6m ($8.5m) Sergio Perez. Red Bull - £5.5m ($8m) Lando Norris, McLaren - £3.5m ($5m) Pierre Gasly. Alpha Tauri – 3.5 million pounds ($5 million) Esteban Ocon, Alpine – 3 million pounds ($4.2 million)
2.Boxing _
Second on the list of highest paid sports is boxing. The noble art of self-defense is a very dangerous sport, which is why boxers truly deserve what they earn every time they step into the squared circle.
Despite the setbacks, the sport has brought a lot of riches to Floyd Mayweather Jnr, Mike Tyson, Oscar Dela Hoya, Mike Tyson among others.
Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez was ranked number 12 on Sportico's list of top 100 highest-paid athletes between June 2020 and May this year.
The Mexican star is the only boxer on the list, with Anthony Joshua and YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul reportedly just outside the Top 100.
Alvarez earned $61 million in ring and another $2 million in endorsements.
Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul have won over $20 million, according to a tweet from Sportivo's Kurt Badenhausen.
Joshua fought once during the designated period, stopping Kubrat Pulev in December.
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1.Basketball _
Basketball occupies the enviable first place of the highest paid sport.
This hugely popular sport that originated in the United States but has gained global recognition continues to create multi-millionaires. Famous basketball tournaments such as the National Basketball Association (NBA) are among the highest paying sports leagues in the world.
Participants receive eye-popping salaries from their respective teams. Besides, they also earn millions through their endorsement deals.
The highest paid basketball players in the NBA are;
Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors earning $43,006,362 million
Russell Westbrook -Washington Wizards $41,358,814 million
Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns - $41,358,814 million
James Harden, Brooklyn Nets - $41,254,920 million
John Wall, Houston Rockets - $41,254,920 million
Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets - $40,108,950 million
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers – $39,219,565 million
Paul George, LA Clippers – $35,450,412 million
Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors - $35,361,360 million
Mike Conley, Utah Jazz – $34,502,130
Here are the ten most valuable basketball teams in the world
10 Toronto Raptors; Value – 2.15 billion US dollars
Dallas Maverick; Value – 2.45 billion US dollars
Houston Rocket; Value – 2.5 billion US dollars
Brooklyn Network; Value – 2.65 billion US dollars
Los Angeles Clippers; Value – 2.75 billion US dollars
Boston Celtics; Value – 3.2 billion US dollars
Chicago Bulls; Value 3.3 billion US dollars
Los Angeles Lakers; Value – 4.6 billion US dollars
Golden State Warriors; Value – 4.7 billion US dollars
New York Knicks; Value – US$5 billion
Additionally, Forbes also released the top 10 highest paid sports athletes in the world in 2022.
Conor McGregor, UFC: $180 million
Barcelona's Lionel Messi, Barcelona: $130 million
Cristiano Ronaldo, Juventus: $120 million
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys: $107.5 million
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers: $96.5 million
Neymar, Paris Saint-Germain: $95 million
Roger Federer, tennis: $90 million
Lewis Hamilton, F1: $82 million
Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $76 million
Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets: $75 million
REFERENCES
https://www.forbes.com/
https://www.topendsports.com/
www.azcentral.com
https://www.sportsadda.com
https://sportsshow.net/
www.sportingfree.com/
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