Sport is a profession that can earn you a fortune overnight if you are the best at what you do. Athletes around the world have earned themselves millions of dollars throughout their illustrious careers. However, there are only a select few athletes that have excelled above all other players and have accrued significant career earnings that surpass the 1 billion dollar threshold.

Hall of Famer Floyd Mayweather etched his name in the records as he made some of the most lucrative events in sports. ‘Money’ defeated UFC star Conor McGregor in 2018, earning the largest single sports payout in history. Even if he made a significant $275 million from the iconic match, he is still not the athlete with the highest career earnings.

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Despite the fact that Serena Williams and Michael Jordan have amassed substantial fortunes over the course of their careers, neither of them ranks among the top earners.

Who is the athlete with the highest career earnings? 

Mayweather, Williams, and Jordan have earned millions of dollars in their careers, which makes them some of the richest athletes worldwide. The biggest lifetime earnings belong to golfing legend Tiger Woods, who has surpassed all other athletes on the planet.

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In addition to raising the standard for his sport, the 46-year-old has also raised the bar for the highest career earnings. A further intriguing finding about him is that he has earned $100 million off the course every year for ten years straight. Woods has amassed a staggering $1.72 billion in career earnings, making him the sportsman with the highest career earnings.

Where do other athletes stand on the highest career earnings list? 

Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is just second to woods on the list. The Portuguese player has earned $1.2 billion throughout his career. His charisma akes him one of the most followed person in the world. Additionally, he has been able to earn a sizable sum thanks to his brand endorsements.

Furthermore, NBA icon LeBron James, who recently touched the $1 billion net worth mark, stands third on the list. His illustrious career has allowed him to earn millions through his performances, and the man also endorses some of the most high-profile brands. King James has earned $1.16 billion in his career. 

The magician, Lionel Messi is just a little below James and has career earnings worth $1.15 billion. The Argentine player currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain after having a long tenure with Barcelona. 

The fifth position is bagged by Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer. He has endorsed some of the most luxurious brands, including Rolex and Uniqlo, among others, which have taken his career earnings to $1.09 billion. 

Moreover, Serena Williams, the greatest female tennis player who has ever lived, has amassed career earnings of $94 million. Notably, it is twice as much as that of any other female athlete. Michael Jordan is the richest athlete in the world, but not the athlete with the highest lifetime earnings. He has earned roughly $93 million in his career, and interestingly, his wealth reached the zenith after his retirement, and he is now worth $2.2 billion.

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