The source specifies that the off-the-field estimates are based on estimates of sponsorship deals, appearance fees, and licensing income for the 12 months leading to May 1, in addition to cash returns from businesses operated by the athlete.
The source specifies that while investment income is excluded in the estimate, payouts from equity stakes sold by the athlete are accounted for. Moreover, earnings are not deducted based on taxes or agents' fees.
Citation formats
Total off-the-field earnings of the world's 50 highest-paid athletes 2012-2024
A May 2024 study examined the combined off-the-field earnings of the ** highest-paid athletes worldwide. In the past 11 years, the total off-the-field income has nearly doubled from roughly *** million U.S. dollars in 2012 to more than * U.S. dollars in 2023. The figure experienced a drop of ** percent in 2024, falling back under the * U.S. dollar mark to *** million U.S. dollars.
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Forbes. (May 16, 2024). Combined off-the-field earnings for the world’s 50 highest-paid athletes from 2012 to 2024 (in million U.S. dollars) [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved August 01, 2026, from /statistics/1270796/combined-off-the-field-earnings-highest-paid-athletes-worldwide/
Forbes. "Combined off-the-field earnings for the world’s 50 highest-paid athletes from 2012 to 2024 (in million U.S. dollars)." Chart. May 16, 2024. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed August 01, 2026. /statistics/1270796/combined-off-the-field-earnings-highest-paid-athletes-worldwide/
Forbes. (2024). Combined off-the-field earnings for the world’s 50 highest-paid athletes from 2012 to 2024 (in million U.S. dollars). ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: August 01, 2026. /statistics/1270796/combined-off-the-field-earnings-highest-paid-athletes-worldwide/
Forbes. "Combined Off-the-field Earnings for The World’s 50 Highest-paid Athletes from 2012 to 2024 (in Million U.S. Dollars)." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 16 May 2024, /statistics/1270796/combined-off-the-field-earnings-highest-paid-athletes-worldwide/
Forbes, Combined off-the-field earnings for the world’s 50 highest-paid athletes from 2012 to 2024 (in million U.S. dollars) ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1270796/combined-off-the-field-earnings-highest-paid-athletes-worldwide/ (last visited August 01, 2026)
Combined off-the-field earnings for the world’s 50 highest-paid athletes from 2012 to 2024 (in million U.S. dollars) [Graph], Forbes, May 16, 2024. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1270796/combined-off-the-field-earnings-highest-paid-athletes-worldwide/
