Last Updated on March 18, 2023 by Amber Heard
Top 10 Highest Paying Sports in The World
10. Wrestling
| First Played | 19th Century |
| Popularity Region | USA, Canada, Mexico |
| Richest Player | Vince McMahon |
| Governing Body | FILA |
| Popular Class | WWE, WWF |
Wrestling is one of the most popular sports in the USA. It is the tenth highest-paying sport in the world right now. The higher paid wrestler, Broke Lisner is paid $12 million that made him the highest paid wrestler right now.
Wrestling was first played in the 19th century and started getting fame in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. With the passage of time, it became one of the most popular sports in the world. Wrestling is watched and liked all over the world by millions of fans.
9. Auto Racing
| First Played | 1867 |
| Popularity Region | Europe, USA, Australia |
| Richest Player | Michael Schumacher |
| Governing Body | FIA |
| Popular Event | World Championship |
Auto racing is also a popular sport in the USA and European region. This incredible sport is one of the most dangerous sports that make it very interesting and daring. The highest paid car race driver got $18 million, which places it at number nine on the list of highest paid sports.
Auto racing is first played in 1867 and started getting fame in Europe and the USA soon. The richest player Michael Schumacher has a net worth of $800 million. He is one of the richest athletes in the world right now.
8. Baseball
| First Played | 18th century |
| Popularity Region | England, USA |
| Richest Player | Alex Rodriguez |
| Governing Body | IBAF |
| Popular League | MLB |
Baseball is another highest paying sport that has the same popularity region as wrestling and auto racing. The highest paid baseball player ever has got $38 million a year. Baseball is the eighth highest paying sport following ice hockey.
Baseball was also first played in the 18th century and still, it is played with some variations in the rules. Major League Baseball is the most popular baseball league in the world. Baseball players all around the world prefer to join the league because it pays high.
7. Ice Hockey
| First Played | 19th Century |
| Popularity Region | Canada, USA |
| Richest Player | Wayne Gretzky |
| Governing Body | IIHF |
| Popular Event | IIHF World Championship |
Ice hockey is also one of the most popular and most watched sports in the USA. This highest paying sport has helped its highest paid player to earn $99 million a year.
Ice hockey was first played in the 19th century and now it is governed by International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). Its popularity region is also Canada, the USA, and Australia.
6. Tennis
| First Played | 19th Century |
| Popularity Region | England, Europe, USA |
| Richest Player | Roger Federer |
| Governing Body | ITF |
| Popular Events | US Open, French Open |
Tennis is one of the most popular sports in the world right now. It has millions of fans across the world. Tennis is one of the most women-liked sport. It is also paying very high to even women players. That is why most on the list of highest paid female athletes are female tennis players.
The highest paid tennis player earned $106 million a year making tennis the 6th highest paying sport in the world. Its governing body is International Tennis Federation. Tennis players have some of the most expensive endorsement deals with popular advertising brands across the world. Roger Federer is the richest tennis player in the world right now.
5. Soccer
| First Played | Mid 19th Century |
| Popularity Region | Europe, Africa, Asia |
| Richest Player | Cristiano Ronaldo |
| Governing Body | FIFA |
| Popular League | UEFA Champions League, FIFA World Cup, Euro Cup |
Soccer is the most popular sport in the world with more than 4 billion fans all over the world. It is also the most played sport in the world in almost every country of the world. The largest community of the sports world is now one of the most valuable industries.
Starting in Mid 19th century, soccer is now popular all around the world including Europe, Africa, and Asia. The highest paid footballer has earned $126 million making the soccer fifth highest paying sport in the world. Cristiano Ronaldo is the richest soccer player in the world, he is the first billionaire footballer in the world.
4. Golf
| First Played | 15th Century |
| Popularity Region | Europe, USA |
| Richest Player | Tiger Woods |
| Governing Body | IGF |
| Popular Events | US Open, British Open, PGA Championship |
Golf, an apparently easy-to-learn sport is one of the hardest sports to get mastery. Golf is also one of the most popular sports in the USA. The highest paid golfer has earned $127 million a year.
Golf was first played in the 15th century and started getting fame in the USA and Europe in the 17 century. It is now the fourth-highest paying sport in the world. The richest golfer, Tiger Woods is one of the richest athletes in the world right now.
3. American Football
| First Played | 1869 |
| Popularity Region | USA, Canada |
| Richest Player | Roger Staubach |
| Governing Body | IFIF |
| Popular League | NFL |
American football is one of the most watched sports in the USA. It has millions of fans across the country. NFL is the most popular American football league in the world. Players from all around the world prefer to join the league because it is paying very high.
The highest paid footballer in the NFL has earned $253 million a year making it the third-highest-paying sports in the world. Most popular sports product brands have some of the most powerful contracts with American football players.
2. Boxing
| First Played | 688 BC |
| Popularity Region | US, Europe, Asia, Africa |
| Richest Player | Floyd Mayweather |
| Governing Body | AIBA |
| Popular Match | Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao |
Boxing is the 2nd highest paying sport in the world right now. The highest paid fighter has earned $333 million of a match. Floyd Mayweather is the richest boxer in the world right now, he is also one of the richest athletes in the world with a huge net worth .
Boxing is one of the oldest sports on the earth, it was first played in 688 BC. It is also popular in the USA, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao was the most popular and most watched match in the history of boxing.
1. Basketball
| First Played | 1891 |
| Popularity Region | USA, Canada |
| Richest Player | Michael Jordan |
| Governing Body | FIBA |
| Popular League | NBA |
Basketball is the highest paying sport in the world. NBA is the most popular and highest paying basketball league in the world. During 1970s, basketball started paying very high. This attracted the attention of athletes all over the world. Because of this many long heightened athletes started playing basketball. It is the most-watched sport in the USA.
Basketball players all around the world try to reach NBA. The highest paid NBA player earned $343 million a year making it the highest paying sport in the world. The richest athlete in the world, Michael Jordan, is also a basketball player, with a net worth of more than $2 billion.
