The other $936 million is attributable to the endorsements, appearances, licensing and memorabilia income, down 13 percent year-over-year from $1.08 billion.

Here are the world's five highest paid athletes in 2024.

At number five, Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Antetokounmpo was on the mend after a calf injury ended what was a tumultuous campaign for the Milwaukee Bucks star, undergoing a mid-season coaching change and helplessly watching his team suffer a first-round playoff exit.

Off the court, his star continues to rise.

He launched a production company in January, added a partnership with Pepsi's Starry Soft Drink in February, and has his sixth signature sneaker with Nike on the way later this year.

At number four, LeBron James.

James' future with the Los Angeles Lakers is the subject of speculation after another disappointing playoff exit.

The four-time MVP has a $51.4 million player option with the team, according to SpotTrack, but has also expressed a desire to play with his eldest son, Bronny.

In the meantime, James will make what is likely his final Olympic appearance as Team USA aims to win gold in Paris this summer.

And as he contemplates life after the NBA, James added a partnership with DraftKings in January and joined a slew of celebrities investing in the golf world's new commercial venture PGA Tour Enterprises.

At number three, Lionel Messi.

Messi's arrival in Miami has been nothing short of a revelation for his new club.

Inter-Miami has juiced ticket sales, staged a groundbreaking global preseason tour, and signed a partnership with Royal Caribbean, the most valuable jersey deal in MLS history.

Off the field, Messi added lows to a group of sponsors that includes Adidas, Apple, and Konami.

He also announced that he's partnering with the makers of White Claw Hard Seltzer to launch his own sports drink, Messi Plus by Messi.

At number two, Jon Rahm.

Rahm's decision to join Live Golf last December has been enormously lucrative, even outside of the reported $350 million guarantee he received to join the Saudi-backed tour.

While the Spaniard has yet to win a Live event, he's already earned $6.6 million from seven tournaments in 2024, which replaced him sixth on Live Tour's official money list this season.

Rahm was also tapped to captain Live's 13th team, Legion 13, a title that has traditionally come with a 25% equity stake in the league's franchises.

And at number one, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo's estimated total earnings of $260 million, an all-time high for a soccer player, makes him the world's highest paid athlete for the fourth time in his career.

That's largely thanks to his massive $200 million annual salary with Al Nasser, which has seemingly been a worthy investment for the Saudi pro league club.

He's also still enormously valuable to sponsors as well, frequently plugging his partners, which include crypto exchange Binance, to his 629 million Instagram followers.

Ronaldo has also owned a $10.5 million check from his former club, Juventus, after an arbitrator ruled the Serie A team was still on the hook for outstanding wages dating back to a COVID-19 pandemic pay cut.