As Black History Month comes to an end, let’s take a look at the highest-paid Black athletes and how their success has translated into record-breaking earnings.
For Black athletes, reaching the pinnacle of sports isn’t just about talent — it’s about overcoming systemic barriers that have long existed in the industry. Black athletes have faced challenges spanning from limited opportunities to disparities in endorsements and leadership roles.
Despite these obstacles though, many have broken through to secure impressive contracts and major endorsement deals, solidifying their place among the highest earners in sports. Their achievements aren’t just personal milestones, they represent progress in an industry that isn’t always welcoming, making their financial success even more noteworthy as we reflect on Black excellence at the end of Black History Month.
LeBron James
LeBron James remains the highest-paid Black athlete, bringing in $128.2 million in 2024, with an additional $80 million from endorsements and business ventures. His NBA salary alone is among the league’s highest, but his off-court earnings are what set him apart. His lifetime deal with Nike is worth over $1 billion, and he owns stakes in companies like SpringHill Co., a media production company, and Fenway Sports Group, which owns the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool FC. His financial empire extends to real estate, a fast-growing tequila brand (Lobos 1707) and equity in Blaze Pizza, making him one of the most financially successful athletes in history.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo earned $111 million in 2024, largely due to his three-year, $175.9 million contract extension and strong endorsement portfolio. His deal with Nike brings in millions annually, and he recently signed a long-term partnership with WhatsApp, becoming the first athlete to endorse the platform globally. His investments in sports ownership — including a stake in the Milwaukee Brewers — show his focus on long-term financial growth beyond basketball.
Kylian Mbappe
At just 25, Kylian Mbappe is one of the world’s highest-paid soccer players, earning $110 million in 2024 from his salary and endorsements. His former contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) included one of the biggest salaries in soccer history, and he has major deals with Nike, Hublot and EA Sports.
Stephen Curry
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry earned $102 million in 2024 thanks to his NBA salary and endorsement empire. His Curry Brand partnership with Under Armour is structured like Michael Jordan’s deal with Nike, giving him ownership stakes and a growing product line. Curry also invests in tech startups and media production, using his brand to expand his financial portfolio beyond basketball.
Coco Gauff
At 20 years old, Coco Gauff is already the highest-paid Black women’s league athlete, earning $34.4 million in 2023. Her U.S. Open victory helped boost her endorsement deals, which include New Balance, Rolex and Barilla. Gauff’s marketability has skyrocketed as she cements herself as the future face of tennis, and her financial future looks even brighter with increased prize money and expanded sponsorships being attached to her (games? tournaments?).
Simone Biles
Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast of all time, earned $11.2 million in 2024 almost entirely from sponsorships. Her Athleta deal replaced her previous partnership with Nike, allowing her to have more control over her branding. She also has partnerships with Visa, Core Power and Uber Eats, showing how elite athletes in niche sports can still secure major endorsement deals.
Lamar Jackson
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson secured $100.5 million in 2024 following his five-year, $260 million contract extension — the highest in NFL history at the time. Unlike many quarterbacks, Jackson negotiated his own contract without an agent, maximizing his earnings. He has also expanded into business with his own clothing line, Era 8 Apparel, and has invested in restaurant chains and real estate business.
Serena Williams
Even in retirement, Serena Williams remains one of the highest-paid Black athletes, with an estimated $340 million net worth. In 2024 alone, she earned over $30 million from endorsements, investments and business ventures. Williams’ lifetime deal with Nike continues to bring in revenue, and she still holds partnerships with Gatorade, Audemars Piguet and JPMorgan Chase. Her biggest financial move is Serena Ventures, a venture capital firm that has invested in over 50 companies, focusing on women-led and minority-owned businesses. She also co-owns the Miami Dolphins, making her one of the few Black women with an ownership stake in a major sports franchise.
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Black athletes have never just been participants in professional sport — they have been the driving force behind its evolution. As they redefine what greatness looks like, their impact is undeniable. The names on this list are not just top earners, they are proof of what happens when talent, perseverance and opportunity align.
Despite the obstacles — barriers to entry, lack of representation and constant scrutiny — Black athletes continue to shape the very fabric of professional sports. They bring unmatched skill and influence that go beyond the scoreboard. Their success isn’t handed to them, it’s earned through generations of challenging expectations which consistently proves that they belong at the top.
Black athletes have set the standard, built the culture and carried sports to new heights — as history has shown time and time again, they are nowhere near finished.