Athletes are among some of the highest-paid entertainers in the world! They still can’t rank the same as movie stars but they are up there somewhere. Every athlete is paid handsomely for their efforts. Putting your body to excruciating training each day and performing all kinds of stunts that regular people can’t have to account for something.
But not every sport is as lucrative as the other. Some are more popular and some are more entertaining. Here lies the difference and it is calculated in figures… of dollar bills (or whatever currency they are paid in).
Here are some of the highest paying sports in the world currently that you can get into.
Basketball
One of the, if not the, highest paying sports in the world is basketball. Players earn very lucrative contracts for showcasing their skills in front of large crowds of fans. The most talented ones are rewarded with huge contracts.
The NBA is the best and most popular league in the world. As such, it also pays the most. Even bench players can earn a lot of money and let alone the biggest stars. Besides their regular contracts, there are shoe and jersey sales and independent deals with brands that players are allowed to sign.
Boxing
If you are in the hurt business then boxing is the best place to be. It earns the right to being one of the highest-paid sports in the world as it has a very long tradition. Boxing has been around for many years and it has produced a lot of stars during the years.
Once athletes start going pro there are in line for huge contracts. There are numerous organizations in boxing and almost all of them pay the big bucks. However, only the most popular names in the sport earn the most cash. If you knock people out and you are entertaining, chances are that people are going to take interest in you.
Auto Racing
The need for speed gets our blood boiling and the faster it goes we get more immersed in it. Auto racing is a fast-paced sport where one mistake can be really costly. Races don’t only put their reputation and skills on the line, but it some cases their well-being. This is why these sports are paid so much.
But for the entertainment value, they are some of the most interesting ones to watch. Formula 1, NASCAR or the Grand Prix are some of the most-watched events in the world.
Thousands of fans watch it live and millions tune in at home.
Golf
Golf may not be the most entertaining sport in the world. But it is one of the highest-paid ones for sure. Some people consider golf as a rich man’s sport. And there is a reason for that. Tiger Woods, one of the best golfers in the world holds the record of being Forbs’ highest-paid athlete for eleven times in a row. That alone is enough to tell you how much money there is to be made in golf.
American Football
Just like the NBA, the NFL is the world’s most popular football, or American football depending on where you live, league in the world. This is a dangerous sport as heads literally do collide in this one. Athletes put their bodies to the test each week for our entertainment. Additionally, the entertainment factor is pretty high as anything can happen during a game.
Finally, the Super Bowl has a long-running tradition in the US and now in the world. It is one of the most expected and most broadcast sports events of the year. Fans from all over watch it.
