In a surprising turn of events, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has secured the largest average annual salary in American sports, surpassing baseball’s Shohei Ohtani. The NBA star, fresh off his MVP and Finals MVP awards, recently signed a contract that shattered existing records. With an impressive $71.25 million annual average, Gilgeous-Alexander now sits at the top of the highest-paid athletes in the United States, outpacing Ohtani’s $70 million per year.
For context, Ohtani’s deal, while still impressive, includes a unique structure. He will receive $2 million annually for the next decade before his salary balloons to $68 million per year for the subsequent ten years. This payment structure, however, does not overshadow SGA’s consistent annual payout, which is now the highest among all U.S. sports leagues.
This monumental contract not only reflects his rising star power in the NBA but also the growing global influence of basketball as a sport. In a time when athletes’ salaries have soared across all major sports, it’s a reminder that the business side of sports continues to evolve, with basketball players leading the charge in terms of financial rewards.
Top 10 Annual Salaries in U.S. Sports
As of July 2, 2025, here’s how the top earners in American professional sports stack up, based on their average annual earnings:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (NBA, Oklahoma City Thunder) – $71.25 million
- Shohei Ohtani (MLB, Los Angeles Dodgers) – $70.00 million
- Joel Embiid (NBA, Philadelphia 76ers) – $64.30 million
- Jayson Tatum (NBA, Boston Celtics) – $62.80 million
- Dak Prescott (NFL, Dallas Cowboys) – $60.00 million
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (NBA, Milwaukee Bucks) – $58.46 million
- Anthony Davis (NBA, Dallas Mavericks) – $58.46 million
- Jaylen Brown (NBA, Boston Celtics) – $57.09 million
- Jimmy Butler (NBA, Golden State Warriors) – $55.48 million
- Nikola Jokić (NBA, Denver Nuggets) – $55.22 million
It’s no surprise to see NBA players dominate the list, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the pack followed closely by Joel Embiid and Jayson Tatum. The NBA’s global appeal, combined with its lucrative television deals and sponsorship opportunities, has solidified it as one of the top-paying sports in the U.S. However, it’s notable that NFL players, such as Dak Prescott, have also found their place among the top earners, showcasing the sport’s continued prominence in American culture.
The Global Perspective: Who Else is Earning Big?
While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may now be the highest-paid athlete in the U.S., on the global stage, the top earners come from a different range of sports. Leading the pack is boxer Canelo Álvarez, who pulls in a staggering $73 million annually. But even Álvarez’s earnings pale in comparison to the jaw-dropping salaries of soccer icons like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi, currently making $168.5 million a year, and Ronaldo, at a staggering $355 million, continue to dominate the global earnings chart.
It’s fascinating to see how these salaries reflect not just the sport’s popularity in the U.S., but globally. While basketball and baseball continue to lead in American salaries, international sports, particularly soccer, command an even higher earning potential for the biggest names in the game.
The Changing Landscape of Athlete Salaries
In the end, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s historic contract is not just a win for him but also for the NBA, signaling the sport’s growing commercial power. It also serves as a reminder of how rapidly the landscape of professional sports can shift. As the market for athletes continues to expand, it’s clear that basketball, football, and even baseball will keep pushing the boundaries of what it means to be an elite athlete, not only on the court or field but also in the boardroom.
With the future looking bright for sports salaries, we can expect these numbers to keep rising, as the biggest athletes in the world continue to negotiate bigger and more lucrative deals.
