The 28 Richest Black Athletes in the World in 2024

The highest-paid Black athletes in the world are back in the swing of their regular seasons.

We’re in the middle of the NFL season, the NBA season is back, and the MLB season is coming to an end. All of the most popular sports in the country are being played at once. With that in mind, let’s take a look at all of the richest Black athletes in the world. Of the 50 athletes listed by Forbes, 28 of them were Black.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris Talk New Film ‘Black Bag,’ Reveal Their Go-To Karaoke Songs

Unfortunately, none of them were women — something we’ll be hoping for next year’s list.

LeBron James

Photo: Getty Images Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times

The more things change, the more they stay the same. James is still among the highest-paid athletes in the world, making $128.2 million in the last year.

Giannis Antetokoumpo

Photo: Getty Images Mitchell Leff

Giannis Antetekounmpo is right behind the king at $111 million. He hopes to lead the Milwaukee Bucks back to the NBA Finals this year.

Kylian Mbappé

Photo: Getty Images Christian Liewig – Corbis

Mbappé is the best footballer in the world. So it makes sense why he’s near the top of the list, making $110 million.

Stephen Curry

Photo: Getty Images Alika Jenner

In the last year, the best shooter in NBA History made $102 million.

Lamar Jackson

Photo: Getty Images Perry Knotts

Lamar Jackson had one hell of a 2023 season and has gotten even better in 2024. Last year he made $100.5 million.

Kevin Durant

Photo: Getty Images Christian Petersen

Like LeBron, Kevin Durant is still among the NBA elite, even at his older age, which is why he made $93.3 million in the last year.

Patrick Mahomes

Photo: Getty Images Tammy Ljungblad/The Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service

The king of the NFL was once again named the best athlete at the 2024 ESPYS, so it makes sense why he’s on this list. Mahomes is still near the top of athlete money makers at $84.4 million.

Anthony Joshua

Photo: Getty Images Jordan Pettitt/PA Images

The heavyweight English boxer is still making a lot of money despite losing a couple of fights in the past few years. This past year, he made $83 million.

Lewis Hamilton

Photo: Getty Images Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto

One of the most famous Formula One race car drivers is still at the top of his game, making $69 million.

Tiger Woods

Photo: Getty Images Keyur Khamar/PGA TOUR

Despite walking away from Nike and not nearly the same golfer he once was, Tiger Woods still brings in a lot of money, making $67.2 million in the last year.

Klay Thompson

Photo: Getty Images Sam Hodde

The Golden State Warriors legend is now a Dallas Maverick. At least Klay Thompson was well paid his last year in the Bay, making $62.3 million.

Damian Lillard

Photo: Getty Images Dylan Buell

Damian Lillard is looking to play better this upcoming NBA season. Still, it didn’t hurt his pocketbooks, as he made $61.9 million.

Joel Embiid

Photo: Getty Images Mitchell Leff

This past year, the often-injured star big man for the Philadelphia 76ers made $57.7 million.

Jimmy Butler

Photo: Getty Images Tim Nwachukwu

The star guard for the Miami Heat was in and out of the lineup during this past season. But he still made $57.5 million.

James Harden

Photo: Getty Images Tim Warner

Although he’s not quite the volume scorer he once was, Harden still knows how to keep his pockets full, making $55.8 million in the last year.

Bradley Beal

Photo: Getty Images Christian Petersen

As the third wheel on the Phoenix Suns, Bradley Beal is making more than most third options in the NBA, earning $54.3 million in the last year.

Chris Jones

Photo: Getty Images ammy Ljungblad/The Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service

The disruptive defensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs makes his first appearance on this list, making $54.1 million.

Kawhi Leonard

Photo: Getty Images Jacob Kupferman

Although it’ll be a while until he steps on an NBA court, the paper is still the same. Last year as he pulled in $53.7 million.

Paul George

Photo: Getty Images Harry How

The new Philadelphia Sixer made a bag this past year at $52.7 million.

Sadio Mané

Photo: Getty Images Yasser Bakhsh

Senegalese footballer Sadio Mané made $52 million this year in the Saudi Pro League.

Brian Burns

Photo: Getty Images Ryan Kang

As the newest member of the New York Giants, Brian Burns got a big contract for the most popular team in the Big Apple. This past year, he made $51.7 million.

Trae Young

Photo: Getty Images Jamie Sabau

The star guard for the middling Atlanta Hawks took home $47.3 million this past season.

Deshaun Watson

Photo: Getty Images Nick Cammett

Deshaun Watson’s record-breaking contract is still paying him well, as he made $47 million this past season despite having below-average numbers.

Rashan Gary

Photo: Getty Images Perry Knotts

Another new member to the list. Rashan Gary is a star defender for the young Green Bay Packers and made nearly $46.8 million this past season.

Anthony Davis

Photo: Getty Images Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times

The Los Angeles Lakers are still one of the best in the league. In the past year, he made $46.2 million.

Zion Williamson

Photo: Getty Images Cooper Neill

As one of the most explosive athletes in the NBA, Zion Williams makes plenty of money on and off the court, which combined to $46.1 million this past NBA season.

Jayson Tatum

Photo: Getty Images Scott Taetsch

The 2024 NBA champion is coming back with vengeance this upcoming season. Along with making $45.9 million last season he also signed a record-breaking contract.

Devin Booker

Photo: Getty Images Harry How

Devin Booker is looking to help improve the Phoenix Suns this upcoming season. No matter, because his bank accounts will be looking the same, as he made $45.2 million.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Black Celebrity Siblings You Probably Didn't Know Were Related

Black Celebrity Siblings You Probably Didn’t Know Were Related

To commemorate National Siblings Day, lets take a look at some of our fave Black celeb siblings pairings! …
Shadiest Posts Trump's Made on Social Media

Shadiest Posts Trump’s Made on Social Media

From jabs towards Iran to questionable AI-generated images of himself as a king, Trump uses social media every… single… day …
Coco Gauff Responds To The Hate For Her Natural Hair In Viral Miu Miu Campaign

Coco Gauff Responds To The Hate For Her Natural Hair In Viral Miu Miu Campaign

After receiving criticism for her hair in a recent Miu Miu campaign, Coco Gauff is calling out the haters for being insecure …
R&B Royalty Usher and Chris Brown Announce a Joint Tour, and Fans are Losing It!

R&B Royalty Usher and Chris Brown Announce a Joint Tour, and Fans are Losing It!

Is Usher or Chris Brown the King of R&B? We’re all about to find out thanks to their upcoming joint tour and fans can’t get enough! …
Trump Under Fire from Former Republican Allies as Greene and Owens Call for New Leadership

Trump Under Fire from Former Republican Allies as Greene and Owens Call for New Leadership

Former GOP allies Marjorie Taylor Greene and Candace Owens blast Donald Trump, calling for new leadership …
Supreme Court Hears Arguments Over Alleged Racial Bias that Led to a Black Man on Death Row

Supreme Court Hears Arguments Over Alleged Racial Bias that Led to a Black Man on Death Row

A now-retired Mississippi DA is at the center of the case before the Supreme Court alleging racial discrimination …
The Truth About the New Stage in Trump's Immigration Crackdown

The Truth About the New Stage in Trump’s Immigration Crackdown

Bombshell headlines surrounding DHS and ICE have quieted… But is that all a part of Trump’s greater plan? …
Professor: Why Jay-Z Is Wrong. Black People Need More Than Just A Seat At The Table.

Professor: Why Jay-Z Is Wrong. Black People Need More Than Just A Seat At The Table.

OPINION: Jay Z Says a business that Black people own 1% of should be called Black owned. That sounds good until you realize it buys you almost no power …
New Report Shows Less Support for Black Nonprofits Since 2020 Racial Reckoning

New Report Shows Less Support for Black Nonprofits Since 2020 Racial Reckoning

According to a new report, promised funding for Black-led nonprofits ended sooner than expected, and the consequences are alarming …
Black Pastor Charged With Manslaughter After Deadly Backyard Baptism

Black Pastor Charged With Manslaughter After Deadly Backyard Baptism

British Pastor Cheryl Bartley was charged Wednesday after 61-year-old Robert Smith drowned during a backyard baptism …
EXCLUSIVE: Halle Bailey, Regé-Jean Page Just Said the Quiet Part Out Loud About Love

EXCLUSIVE: Halle Bailey, Regé-Jean Page Just Said the Quiet Part Out Loud About Love

The Root spoke with Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page ahead of the release of their new romcom, ‘You, Me & Tuscany,’ which is out in theaters on April 10! …
Chick-fil-A Worker Finds $10K ... And Then This Happened

Chick-fil-A Worker Finds $10K … And Then This Happened

A Chick-fil-A employee in North Carolina returned nearly $10,000 he found on Good Friday, saying his faith and values made keeping the money unthinkable …
How Dr. Dre Finally Became a Billionaire

How Dr. Dre Finally Became a Billionaire

Dr. Dre has officially reached billionaire status. Here’s exactly how he did it! …
How Angela Davis Predicted The Modern Face Of Fascism in 1971

How Angela Davis Predicted The Modern Face Of Fascism in 1971

Fifty years prior to rumors of fascism circling President Trump, activist and philosopher Angela Davis made a spooky prediction about dictatorship in the U.S …
New Black Bridgerton Cast Has the Internet Shook In the Best Way!

New Black Bridgerton Cast Has the Internet Shook In the Best Way!

There’s about to be a whole lot of Black excellence in ‘Bridgerton’ season 5 thanks to a handful of new faces. And folks online can’t get enough! …
New Developments in the Tiger Woods DUI Case

New Developments in the Tiger Woods DUI Case

The gold legend is facing two misdemeanor charges in Florida following a single-rollover car crash in March …
A VA Black Mega Church Donated $1 Million to Keep Local Residents in Their Homes

A VA Black Mega Church Donated $1 Million to Keep Local Residents in Their Homes

In a stunning partnership with the mayor of Alexandria, Alfred Street Baptist Church has stepped up and paid off debts for hundreds of public housing residents …
How Economics is Pushing Some Black Celebrities to Take Refuge in the MAGA Movement

How Economics is Pushing Some Black Celebrities to Take Refuge in the MAGA Movement

A growing number of Black celebrities are aligning themselves with the MAGA movement, but it’s more about economics and staying relevant than politics …
Folks Online Are Losing Their Minds Seeing Blue Ivy and Tina Knowles At The New Cécred Launch

Folks Online Are Losing Their Minds Seeing Blue Ivy and Tina Knowles At The New Cécred Launch

Fans online are going crazy after seeing Blue Ivy at Cécred’s latest launch event …
K. Michelle Makes Shocking Revelation About Her Relationship With R. Kelly

K. Michelle Makes Shocking Revelation About Her Relationship With R. Kelly

K. Michelle is sharing new details about the nature of her relationship with disgraced R&B singer R. Kelly, and what she has to say might surprise you! …