Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is officially the highest-paid athlete in the NBA.
In fact, the Oklahoma City Thunder franchise star is the highest-paid athlete in all of US Sports, though he trails global superstars in other sporting fields.
He inked a four-year, $285million supermax contract extension after leading the Thunder to their first NBA championship in franchise history (if excluding the Seattle SuperSonics), Gilgeous-Alexander is now the highest-paid NBA star.
Gilgeous-Alexander leads the way in the US
After a phenomenal individual campaign in the 2024-25 season, the Thunder knew they had to commit to their star to a long-term future.
This came as Gilgeous-Alexander came off the back of a season in which he averaged a career-high 32.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.7 steals per contest, which saw him clinch both the league MVP and Finals MVP awards, as well as being named to the All-NBA First Team.
His contract, which kicks in for the 2027-28 season, is set to see him command an average annual salary of $71 million, making the 27-year-old possesses the richest annual contract in the Association.
However, the total number of his deal isn’t league-leading.
That, of course, belongs to Jayson Tatum, who penned a five-year, $314m extension with the Boston Celtics the summer before tearing his Achilles tendon in the 2024-25 NBA Playoffs.
According to Visual Capitalist, the Canadian basketball superstar’s average annual salary is the fifth-highest among all athletes, one spot ahead of Los Angeles Dodgers dual-threat baseball sensation Shohei Ohtani, whose ten-year, $700m contract is the second-largest MLB contract on record.
It was also the largest total contract in pro sports history at the time of signing, though it has since been eclipsed by Juan Soto‘s 15-year, $765m deal with the New York Mets.
As it pertains to the NFL, Dak Prescott is the recipient of the richest annual contract, commanding $60m-a-year from the Dallas Cowboys after signing a four-year, $240m deal in September 2024.
Ohtani, the MLB’s dual-threat superstar, only ranks sixth on the list of highest-paid athletes ($70m annually)Getty Cowboys franchise quarterback Prescott leads the way for the NFLGettyHowever, the top-four names on the list are made up of stars in globally-watched sports.
Global soccer sensation leads the way
According to Forbes, the 50 highest-paid athletes in 2025 earned a record $4.2 billion combined, showcasing just how fast compensation is on the rise for these sporting figureheads, and sets the market for beyond.
Just ahead of SGA on the list is four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen, who signed a lucrative five-year, $275m extension in 2024 that runs through to the 2028 season.
As such, the Red Bull Racing stalwart earns $72m per year, just one million shy of boxing household name Canelo Álvarez, who was left stunned by Terence Crawford in their blockbuster bout in front of a record 70,482 crowd at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium in September.
But only two sporting names in the world command a salary over $100m – Jon Rahm and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Rahm is only the second athlete currently raking in over $100 million annuallyGetty CR7 tops the list of highest paid athletes in the world, estimated at $234.3 per yearAFPThe Spanish golfer penned a record-breaking contract with LIV Golf worth a reported $500 million ($100 million annually) back in June, and was one of only two members of Europe’s Ryder Cup-winning team that are affiliated with the Saudi-backed league, along with Tyrell Hatton.
The 30-year-old recently admitted that only a home-Ryder Cup in Spain in 2031 will top a thrilling week at Bethpage Black in New York.
“It’s going to be hard to top that week,” Rahm said.
“I don’t know how there can be a better week, the only one, the 2031 Ryder Cup in Spain, which will be more special for me.”
Top 10 Highest Paid Athletes in 2025
10 sports make up the top 10 athletes
Cristiano Ronaldo – Soccer – $234.4 million USD per year Jon Rahm – Golf – $100 million USD per year Canelo Álvarez – Boxing – $73 million USD per year Max Verstappen – Formula 1 – $72 million USD per year Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Basketball (NBA) – $71.25 million USD per year Shohei Ohtani – Baseball (MLB) – $70 million USD per year Dak Prescott – American Football (NFL) – $60 million USD per year Kyle Busch – NASCAR – $16.9 million USD per year Roman Reigns – WWE – $15 million USD per year Fabio Quartararo – MotoGP – $14.06 million USD per yearThat leaves only Ronaldo, who brings in over double the salary of second-placed Rahm on a yearly basis, with an estimated annual average of $234.3m.
The Portuguese footballer has been a global soccer icon since he erupted into prominence at Manchester United and Real Madrid, and holds a plethora of records, including being the all-time highest goalscorer in football history.
Ronaldo is such a global star that non-soccer/football fans even know of him.
After a stint in Serie A with Juventus, Ronaldo made his way to Saudi Arabia, via a brief spell back in Manchester, where he joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, kickstarting the transformation of that league commercially.
Still playing despite approaching 41 years of age, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner signed a mega-money two-year extension with Al Nassr worth an estimated $700m, as well as being given an ownership stake in the club.
It certainly pays to be the very best in your sport.
Stay up to date with the latest from US Sports across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for all the news, exclusives, interviews and more.
Hence then, the article about shai gilgeous alexander tops all us sports stars in annual earnings but it would take him over three years to match world s best was published today ( ) and is available on talksport ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tops all US sports stars in annual earnings but it would take him over three years to match world’s best )
Also on site :