Based on reports from Forbes , here are of the highest-paid Black athletes in 2025:

1. Stephen Curry

Total earnings: $156 million

Source of wealth: Significant NBA contract, a major brand partnership with Under Armour for his own Curry Brand, and various investments.

The Golden State Warriors guard is a top NBA earner, particularly from off-court ventures.

2. LeBron James

Total earnings: $133.8 million

Source of wealth: NBA salary, investments through his SpringHill Co., a lifetime deal with Nike, and stakes in companies like Fenway Sports Group.

A perennial top earner, the Los Angeles Lakers star and the NBA’s first active billionaire continues to command one of the sport’s highest total incomes through both his basketball salary and vast off-court business empire.

3. Kevin Durant

Total earnings: $101.4 million

Source of wealth: NBA salary, endorsement deals, and investment ventures.

The Phoenix Suns forward is another elite NBA player with annual earnings consistently topping $100 million.

4. Giannis Antetokounmpo

Total earnings: $94.4 million

Source of wealth: NBA salary, endorsements, and investments.

The Milwaukee Bucks star, who has Nigerian heritage, is consistently ranked as one of the highest-paid athletes in the world.

5. Kylian Mbappé

Total earnings: $90 million

Source of wealth: Lucrative playing contract, endorsement deals, and his production company, Zebra Valley.

The French soccer superstar of Cameroonian heritage is among the highest-paid footballers globally and signed a record-setting contract with Real Madrid in 2024.

6. Patrick Mahomes

Total earnings: $86.8 million

Source of wealth: NFL salary, endorsement deals.

The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback earned $86.8 million in 2025 through his massive NFL contract and extensive endorsement portfolio. Mahomes signed a $503 million, 10-year extension with the Chiefs in July 2020.

7. Lewis Hamilton

Total earnings: $80 million

Source of wealth: Auto racing, endorsement deals and investments.

The Formula One racing star is consistently among the highest-paid non-American athletes. He signed a new deal with Ferrari for 2025 and beyond. Hamilton, among F1’s most marketable athletes, has expanded beyond racing, investing in the Denver Broncos NFL team in 2022.

8. Justin Jefferson

Total earnings: $72.2 million

Source of wealth: NFL, endorsement deals.

Jefferson inked a $140M/4-year Vikings extension in June 2024, securing the highest non-QB average salary in the NFL. His endorsement portfolio includes Bose, Oakley, Pepsi, Snickers and Pop-Tarts.

9. Damian Lillard

Total earnings: $67.5 million

Source of wealth: NFL, endorsement deals.

Damian Lillard’s earnings is primarily built through his highly lucrative NBA contracts, endorsement deals, and strategic business investments.

10. CeeDee Lamb

Total earnings: $67.5 million

Source of wealth: NFL, endorsement deals.

In August 2024, Lamb secured a $136 million, four-year Cowboys contract with a record $38 million receiver signing bonus. Off-field, Lamb partners with Nike, Samsung and UPS.

1. Michael Jordan

Net worth: $3.8 Billion

Sources of wealth: While his NBA salary was substantial, his fortune primarily comes from lucrative endorsements, his lifetime partnership with Nike for the Jordan brand, and his sale of the Charlotte Hornets.

The basketball legend is widely considered the richest athlete of all time, regardless of ethnicity.

2. Tiger Woods

Net worth: $1.3 Billion

Sources of wealth: Endorsement deals with brands like Nike and investments in his TGR Ventures, which includes a course design company, a high-end mini-golf chain, and a technology league.

The golf icon became a billionaire in 2022 and continues to grow his wealth through endorsements and investments.

3. Magic Johnson

Net worth: $1.5 billion

Sources of wealth: He parlayed his NBA earnings into a vast business empire, including Magic Johnson Enterprises, which has owned multiplexes, fitness centers, and strategic stakes in professional sports teams.

This NBA Hall of Famer is a successful business mogul who built his fortune after retiring from the sport.

4. LeBron James

Net worth: $1.3 Billion

Sources of wealth: Major NBA contracts, his lifetime deal with Nike, a stake in Fenway Sports Group, and investments in companies like Blaze Pizza.

The active NBA superstar and entrepreneur entered the billionaire club in 2022, becoming the first active player to do so.

5. Floyd Mayweather

Net worth: $450 million to $500 million

Sources of wealth: Record-breaking pay-per-view fights, his promotion company Mayweather Promotions, and various investments and business ventures.

With career earnings over $1 billion Floyd “Money” Mayweather is known for his strategic business acumen, the undefeated boxer has one of the highest total career earnings in sports history. The August 2017 Las Vegas bout between Mayweather and McGregor generated over $550 million, with Mayweather pocketing $275 million as both the primary fighter and promoter.

6. Serena Williams

Net worth: $350 million

Sources of wealth: Career prize money, extensive endorsement deals, and her venture capital firm, Serena Ventures.

The tennis legend is one of the richest female athletes in the world and continues to expand her business ventures after retirement.