The 27 Richest Black Athletes in the World in 2023

Photo: Patrick McDermott (Getty Images)
Photo: Patrick McDermott (Getty Images)
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Sports season is in full swing! The NBA season just started, we’re haflway through the NFL season and the MLB postseason is coming to an end. We’re all the way back!

Another year of sports means another year of paychecks and contracts for these athletes. They are making more money than they ever have before. Don’t believe me? Just look at the numbers these players they are pulling in according to Forbes. It’s crazy.

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Photo: Julian Finney (Getty Images)
Photo: Julian Finney (Getty Images)

Kylian Mbappé is a phenom. At the young age of 24, he’s already become one of the most popular and recognizable athletes in the world. This French superstar brought in bank for the last year, making $120 million.

LeBron James

Photo: Harry How (Getty Images)
Photo: Harry How (Getty Images)

No surprise here. As long as he’s in the NBA, he’s going to make bread, no matter if he’s good or not. The NBA’s all-time leading scorer fell just short of Mbappé, making $119.5 million.

Stephen Curry

Photo: Thearon W. Henderson (Getty Images)
Photo: Thearon W. Henderson (Getty Images)

Stephen Curry splashes on NBA courts and in his bank account. So it’s no shock to us that he’s one of the highest-paid in the world, making $100.4 million.

Kevin Durant

Photo: Quinn Harris (Getty Images)
Photo: Quinn Harris (Getty Images)

Yeah, he switches teams a lot. But that hasn’t hurt his pockets, as he continues to remain one of the most feared scorers in the Association. He’s made $89.1 million in the last year.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Photo: Alika Jenner (Getty Images)
Photo: Alika Jenner (Getty Images)

Is he the best player in the league? Maybe. Is he one of the highest-paid players in the NBA? No doubt. He’s made $87.6 million in the last year.

Russell Wilson

Photo: Steph Chambers (Getty Images)
Photo: Steph Chambers (Getty Images)

His time in the Mile High City has not been off to a good start. But at least he got a bag before he started playing in games right? Despite his poor play, he’s made $85 million since being traded to the Denver Broncos.

Russell Westbrook

Photo: Christian Petersen (Getty Images)
Photo: Christian Petersen (Getty Images)

His time with the Lakers did not go as planned, but at least he found a solid role with the Clippers. Although he’s not the star he once was, it hasn’t hurt his dollars, raking in $82.1 million.

Tiger Woods

Photo: Andrew Redington (Getty Images)
Photo: Andrew Redington (Getty Images)

He hasn’t been very active on the PGA tour recently, but that hasn’t stopped him from making cheese. Yeah, he’s getting up there in age, but that shouldn’t bother him considering he’s a billionaire who’s made $75.1 million in the last year.

Kyler Murray

Photo: Sam Greenwood (Getty Images)
Photo: Sam Greenwood (Getty Images)

He tore his ACL last season, so although the 2023 season has already started, he’s still sitting on the sidelines. But mostly thanks to a contract he signed last summer, he made $70.5 million.

Lewis Hamilton

Photo: Mark Thompson (Getty Images)
Photo: Mark Thompson (Getty Images)

Who said race car drivers aren’t athletes? This profession requires exceptional endurance, strength, and hand-eye coordination. Nobody in the world is better than Lewis Hamilton, who made $65 million.

Klay Thompson

Photo: Ezra Shaw (Getty Images)
Photo: Ezra Shaw (Getty Images)

He’s had to fight through some injuries, but he’s worked back to lead his team to a pair of deep playoff runs. The mild-mannered Thompson isn’t quite as good a shooter as his fellow splash brother, Stephen Curry, but he’s close, making $60.9 million.

Patrick Mahomes

Photo: Jason Hanna (Getty Images)
Photo: Jason Hanna (Getty Images)

It’s honestly shocking that he’s not higher on this list, considering he’s by far the best QB in the league. But still, his money is nothing to sneeze at, making $59.3 million.

Damian Lillard

Photo: Steph Chambers (Getty Images)
Photo: Steph Chambers (Getty Images)

Sorry Trailblazers fans, this might be one of the last photos you’ll see of Damian Lillard in a Portland jersey. But he’s still a great player, and it is reflected in his pockets, making $58.6 million.

James Harden

Photo: Tim Nwachukwu (Getty Images)
Photo: Tim Nwachukwu (Getty Images)

Another NBA player, another trade request. James Harden has been trying to get out of Philly all summer. But it seems that he’s stuck. At least he’s made $55.1 million in the last year.

Anthony Joshua

Photo: Richard Heathcote (Getty Images)
Photo: Richard Heathcote (Getty Images)

This British Boxer is a behemoth. Standing at 6'6", 245lbs, he’s become one of the richest boxers in the world, making $53 million.

Mohamed Salah

Photo: Julian Finney (Getty Images)
Photo: Julian Finney (Getty Images)

While not an international superstar quite to the level of Mbpappé, Mohamed Salah is pretty damn good. He’s made $53 million in the last year.

Paul George

Photo: Harry How (Getty Images)
Photo: Harry How (Getty Images)

Paul George is as talented as any player in the NBA. Unfortunately, due to injury, fans haven’t been able to see him display his talents. Thanks to an extension he signed in December 2020, George has made $51.5 million in the last year.

Kawhi Leonard

Photo: Christian Petersen (Getty Images)
Photo: Christian Petersen (Getty Images)

Even worse than his teammate Paul George, Kawhi has rarely been seen on an NBA court. He just can’t stay healthy. But still, nobody can question his ability, which has made him $50.5 million.

Bradley Beal

Photo: Suns
Photo: Suns

He’s not a superstar NBA player, but he gets paid like one, making $49.8 million in the last year.

Orlando Brown, Jr.

Photo: Dylan Buell (Getty Images)
Photo: Dylan Buell (Getty Images)

The quarterbacks and wide receivers get all the love and notoriety on sports ta;k shows, but what about the offensive linemen? They’re just as important considering they protect the star players. Orlando Brown, Jr. may not be the best O-linemen, but he’s pretty solid, which has garnered him big bucks, making $48.6 million.

Aaron Donald

Photo: Steph Chambers (Getty Images)
Photo: Steph Chambers (Getty Images)

One of the greatest defensive players of all time, let alone his generation. He signed a monster contract in 2022, which has made him $48.5 million since then.

Anthony Davis

Photo: Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG (Getty Images)
Photo: Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG (Getty Images)

He struggles to stay healthy, but his talent can’t be questioned. That is why the Los Angeles Lakers were so willing to pay him. He’s made $48 million.

Jimmy Butler

Photo: Matthew Stockman (Getty Images)
Photo: Matthew Stockman (Getty Images)

Keep undertaking him if you want to, he just keeps leading the Miami Heat on deep playoff runs. He’s worth all of the $47.8 million he’s made since 2022.

John Wall

Photo: Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswirev (Getty Images)
Photo: Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswirev (Getty Images)

There’s a reason he’s in street clothes on this list. He’s currently not on an NBA roster. But that did not stop him from making $47.8 million.

Dak Prescott

Photo: Mitchell Leff (Getty Images)
Photo: Mitchell Leff (Getty Images)

The QB of America’s team is always going to garner a lot of attention and a big paycheck. So it’s no surprise he’s made $46 million.

Deshaun Watson

Photo: Gregory Shamus (Getty Images)
Photo: Gregory Shamus (Getty Images)

Despite his legal troubles, he was still given a record-breaking contract by the Cleveland Browns, which is why he’s made $45.8 million in the last year.

Serena Williams

Photo: Hector Vivas (Getty Images)
Photo: Hector Vivas (Getty Images)

The greatest Tennis player is no longer in the game, retiring a year ago. But that didn’t stop her from being one of the highest-paid athletes in the world, making $45.3 million.

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