In today’s world, being a professional athlete has become an incredibly profitable career. Within the major sports leagues of the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL, both minimum and average salaries are on the rise, while top players are pulling in staggering figures. Beyond their salaries, athletes have a wealth of opportunities to boost their income, from sneaker deals and product endorsements to lucrative business ventures. The recent surge in sports gambling, despite its risks, has only broadened these financial prospects.

While it’s challenging to gauge the exact earnings athletes make from their off-field activities, we do have concrete data on their salaries. Notably, two athletes have crossed a remarkable threshold, accumulating over half a billion dollars in total earnings. In the coming years, several more are expected to join this elite group.

Let’s take a look at the athletes who are either part of or are soon anticipated to join this distinguished club:

Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant during the 2024 Olympics. (DAMIEN MEYER/AFP via Getty Images)

LeBron James, $581.4 million

LeBron James’s career is nothing short of extraordinary. Entering the NBA directly from high school, he was dubbed the “Chosen One” long before being selected as the first overall pick in the 2003 draft. Drafted by his hometown team, he has since made a name for himself in high-profile cities like Miami and Los Angeles. With a resume boasting four championships, four MVP awards, 21 All-NBA Team selections, and holding the all-time scoring record, he’s exceeded the towering expectations set for him.

It’s no wonder LeBron is the highest earner in NBA history. His first major contract came during the famed “The Decision” when he announced his move to Miami, securing a six-year, $110 million deal with the Heat. This contract included an option to opt out after four years, which he exercised before re-signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers. This move marked the beginning of his strategy to sign shorter-term deals with player options, optimizing his earning potential.

Since joining the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018, LeBron has earned about 60% of his career salary, totaling nearly $347.5 million. At 41 years old, he’s still going strong, with a staggering salary of over $52.6 million this season.

Kevin Durant, $501.1 million

With a 2025-26 salary of $53.2 million, Kevin Durant will officially top $500 million in career earnings by the time this season ends. He’s actually on the last year of a four-year, $194.2 million deal he signed while with the Brooklyn Nets back in 2022. The Nets traded him to the Phoenix Suns during the 2022-23 season, and after three seasons and one playoff series win, the Suns dealt Durant to the Houston Rockets the day of Game 7 of last year’s NBA Finals. Durant signed a two-year, $90 million extension with the Rockets, which kicks in beginning next season.

While the bulk of LeBron’s career earnings heavily weigh toward one team, Durant’s earnings are more evenly spread out. Four years in Brooklyn was his most lucrative stop; he made almost $147.4 million there. Despite winning two championships with the Golden State Warriors, Durant will have earned the least amount of money while in the Bay. Over three seasons, his Warriors salary was $81.5 million.

Stephen Curry, $470.1 million

We’re including Steph Curry on this list because he’s still under contract for one more year, and he’ll easily surpass the half-a-billion mark by then. Curry has fundamentally changed the NBA; his sharpshooting may never be beaten. He holds multiple single-season records for three-pointers made in a season, as well as the league’s all-time record. He’s also won two MVP awards, with his 2016 MVP marking the first time someone had unanimously won the award.

Unlike the others, Curry has made all of his money while with the Warriors. He took a hometown discount earlier in his career, though he’s more than making up for it now. He signed a four-year, $215.3 million contract in 2021. This season, he’s earning $59.6 million, and his salary next year will be about $62.5 million.

Other Players Close to $500 Million

There are currently nine players in the “Big 4” leagues who have made at least $400 million in their careers. We can remove Alex Rodriguez ($485.2 million) and Chris Paul ($404.5 million) because they’re both retired and won’t increase their salaries. Justin Verlander ($409.3 million) is unlikely to make enough money; he just turned 43 years old and signed a $13 million contract, so he’d still need to play several more seasons to hit half a billion.

James Harden could potentially reach the milestone, though it’s a bit of a stretch. He’s currently at $411.4 million and has a player option worth $42.3 million next year. Assuming he opts in, he’ll be 38 before the start of the 2027-28 season. Does he have enough years left in him to get another $46 million?

Ditto with Matthew Stafford, who’s made $408.3 million to date. His current contract won’t push him over the threshold, and he’ll be in his age-39 season when he next becomes a free agent. We’ve seen quarterbacks play into their 40s. However, that’s still the exception, not the rule.

But all hope is not lost! Paul George, who signed a four-year, $211.5 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, still has nearly $111 million of that contract remaining over the next two seasons. He’s earned $406.2 million to date, which means he’ll pass $500 million during the 2027-28 season. And that even factors in the $11.7 million he’s losing during his 25-game suspension for taking an improper medication.

There are also athletes who are earlier in their careers but are inked to extra-rich deals. Shohei Ohtani famously signed a $700 million deal (with much of it deferred). Juan Soto topped it the following season, agreeing to a 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. signed a 14-year, $500 million extension with the Toronto Blue Jays at the beginning of last season. Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays ultimately wound up one win away from the World Series. They’ll have to wait to hit half a billion in career earnings, but they’ll get there eventually.

Meanwhile, Patrick Mahomes will likely be the first NFL player to amass half a billion dollars. He’s in the middle of a 10-year, $450 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. That deal runs through 2031, with a potential out after the 2028 season.

As for the NHL, well… we might never see someone hit this milestone. Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin are two of the greatest hockey players the game has ever seen. In 19 seasons, Crosby has made $173.2 million. Ovechkin has made $170.7 million over 17 years. Hockey contracts simply aren’t as big.

Even a decade ago, the idea of someone earning half a billion dollars from their sport seemed far-fetched. Now, it’s happened for multiple players—with more on the way.