Top 100 highest paid athletes exposes ‘gender pay gap proof’

The highest paid athletes list of 2024 has been released with one presenter calling out an ugly and undeniable truth in the figures.

The highest paid athletes for 2024 have been revealed with the list leaving one journalist seeing red.

Sportico released the list of the 100 highest earners with no female athlete making the list for the past year.

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American tennis superstar Coco Gauff was the closest to making the cut after earning $AUD47 million last year, that figure was $11m shy of the 100th spot on the list.

The omission of any female athlete didn’t sit well with Nine News’ TV presenter Roz Kelly who was left irate after looking over the list of names.

“It makes my blood boil, it makes me so, so angry,” Kelly said on Nine’s Today.

“It’s just proof of the gender pay gap in sport.

“Some of these women are some of the most marketable in the world right now, they are on billboards everywhere.

“I know like tennis players and surfers, they have equal prize money. There’s still a long way to go in cricket, and soccer … I’m on a rant now.

“When it comes to endorsement deals they are severely underpaid compared to their male counterparts.”

Coco Gauff was the closest female athlete. Picture: Michael Klein

Ronaldo was a long way clear on the list. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh via Getty Images)

Football megastar Cristiano Ronaldo was on top of the list with an eye-watering $411m over the past year.

The Al-Nassr ace earned a staggering $341 million in his Saudi Pro League contract.

Ronaldo’s income dwarfs his top level counterparts in other sports, including basketball, boxing, golf and American football.

NBA star Stephen Curry ranks second in the list, with a relatively modest $243m, including $158m in endorsements.

Tyson Fury is the king of the Brits despite losing his heavyweight title clash with Oleksandr Usyk, with $233m earned across the year.

Ronaldo’s nemesis, Lionel Messi, is second among footballers and fourth overall.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner earned, $214m overall including $118m in endorsements.

The top five is rounded out by LeBron James, who earned $211m with $134m in endorsements.

Steph Curry leads the way for all NBA players. Stacy Revere/Getty Images/AFP

Despite losing his titles, Fury is rolling in it. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)

Five of the top 10 paid athletes in 2024 were football players, while basketball, golf, and American football also feature heavily in the top 20.

Only one Aussie made the list with NBA player Ben Simmons who pocketed $65 million, good enough to land at number 85 on the list.

TOP 10 PAID ATHLETES OF 2024

Cristiano Ronaldo (football) - $411m

Stephen Curry (basketball) - $243

Tyson Fury (boxing) - $233m

Lionel Messi (football) - $214m

LeBron James (basketball) - $211m

Neymar (football) - $211m

Oleksander Usyk (boxing) - $193m

Karim Benzema (football) - $184m

Kylian Mbappe (football) - $174m

Jon Rahm (golf) - $167m

Originally published as Top 100 highest paid athletes exposes ‘gender pay gap proof’