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Top 10 Athletes Earned $902 Million in On-Field Pay in 2026
The ten highest-paid athletes collected $902 million from salaries, bonuses, and prize money. The total is 2% below the 2025 figure and 8% below the 2024 record.
May 28, 11:18 AM·1m read1 source
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The ten highest-paid athletes earned a combined $902 million from salaries, bonuses, and prize money in 2026. The amount is down 2% from the $920 million recorded in 2025 and 8% from the $978 million recorded in 2024.
Forbes reported the 2026 total alongside the two prior years. The data cover only on-field compensation and exclude endorsement income. The decline follows consecutive years of growth that peaked in 2024.
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