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Sports Highrollers: Top 10 Richest Athletes in the World

Rich Athlete Holding Stack of Money on Field

It’s no secret that athletes can pull in a pretty hefty paycheck. Many started as world-known athletes who retired to the entrepreneurial side, while others have gained their fortunes from being true celebrity athletes. Learn more about the world’s richest athletes, their net worth, and how they got there. Read on to also find where you can bet on their sports. Who knows, maybe your bet will get you just as rich!

 

Who are the Richest Athletes?

 

Michael Jordan | $2.2 Billion | Basketball

After playing a total of 15 seasons in the NBA, playing for both the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards, there’s no surprise that Michael Jordan is the richest athlete in the world. Popularly known as the best basketball player of all time, Jordan is now the principal owner of the Charlotte Hornets after retiring from playing professionally.

 

Vince McMahon | $1.6 Billion | Wrestling

Former American professional wrestler Vince McMahon is now the majority owner, chairman, and CEO of WWE after taking control from his father in the 80s. McMahon has become one of the richest athletes in the world through his success at the company, but his successful wrestling career certainly gave him a nice head start.

 

Ion Tiriac | $1.5 Billion | Ice Hockey & Tennis

Ion Tiriac is a former professional tennis and ice hockey player from Romania, and playing two sports certainly helped him become one of the world’s richest athletes. Now retired from playing sports professionally, Tiriac is the owner of the Mutua Madrid Open Tennis Tournament and helps manage professional tennis players.

 

Dressage Rider Performing in Competition

 

Anna Kasprzak | $1 Billion | Dressage Riding

Danish dressage rider Anna Kasprzak represented Denmark in the Summer Olympics in 2012 and 2016. Though her fortune mostly comes from being heir to the ECCO shoe brand, Kasprzak is considered to be one of the best dressage riders in the world and has won multiple medals during her career. She also runs her own stables.

 

Tiger Woods | $800 Million | Golf

If you’ve heard of golf, you’ve likely heard of Tiger Woods. He is one of the most popular and notorious golfers of all time, and his talent and fame have helped boost his bank account. Endorsements on and off the course as well as competing in (and winning) golf tournaments have landed him on the list of richest athletes in the world.

 

Junior Bridgeman | $600 Million | Basketball

Both a former professional basketball player and current entrepreneur, Junior Bridgeman has put in the work to earn his high salary. Bridgeman played 12 years for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers, then went on to invest in fast food franchises, including more than 160 Wendy’s and 120 Chili’s restaurants.

 

Magic Johnson | $600 Million | Basketball

After playing in the NBA for the LA Lakers for 13 seasons, Magic Johnson is now retired from playing basketball professionally. During his time playing, he won numerous awards as a player, putting him into the NBA hall of fame. Magic continues to grow his net worth by being the president of basketball operations for the Los Angeles Lakers.

 

Formula 1 Race Cars on Racetrack During Race

 

Eddie Jordan | $600 Million | Auto Racing

As a former race car driver, Motorsport team boss, businessman, musician, and television personality in Ireland, there’s no surprise Eddie Jordan is on this list with such an impressive resumé. He won the Irish Kart Championship in 1971, moved to Formula Ford in 1974, and founded the Jordan Grand Prix which operated from 1991 to 2005.

 

Lionel Messi | $600 Million | Soccer

Considered one of the best modern-day soccer players, Lionel Messi currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain and the Argentina national team after having a successful career with Barcelona FC. Messi has been a notorious player in the game for years, and was the first player to score in the World Cup in his teens, twenties, and his thirties.

 

Michael Schumacher | $600 Million | Auto Racing

Michael Schumacher is a former Formula One race car driver from Germany, and maybe one of the most recognizable names in the sport due to his success. After winning seven Formula One World Championships, five of which he won consecutively, Schumacher has made both his racing skills and net worth pretty impressive.

 

Winning Your Own Money with Sports Betting

 

Now that you know the top 10 richest athletes in the world, why not set your sights on making some money too? Many of these athletes have earned their money through their sport, and even if you don’t have athletic talent, you can too. How? By placing some bets! You can bet on basketball in honor of Michael Jordan, Junior Bridgeman, and Magic Johnson, wrestling for Vince McMahon, hockey and tennis for Ion Tiriac, golf for Tiger Woods, auto racing for Eddie Jordan and Michael Schumacher, and soccer for Lionel Messi. Though the payouts will be a little lower than their salaries, you can still increase your own net worth by betting on sports.

The best sport to place your bets is Circa | Sports Sportsbook in Las Vegas. You can also stop by Golden Gate, the D, or one of the other Circa | Sports locations in Las Vegas to place your bets in person. Can’t make it into the sportsbook? Download the Circa | Sports app on iOS or Android to have your bookie right in your pocket.

Whether in person or on the app, join Circa | Sports for your premier place to bet on sports in Vegas.