The Money Game: How Professional Athletes' Earnings Reflect a Broader Shift in Sports Economics Cristiano Ronaldo has topped the Forbes World's Highest Paid Athletes list for four consecutive years, but it's Canelo Alvarez's second place finish that raises interesting questions about the evolving financial landscape of professional sports.
The boxer's $170 million earnings in 2025 are a testament to the growing influence of endorsements and sponsorships on athletes' bottom lines.
Alvarez's outside activities generated $10 million, which is no small change for someone who also made $160 million from fight purses.