OVER 10,000 of the world’s best athletes have trooped into Paris to prove their dominance at the Olympics.
While many will be stepping on the global stage for the first time, a select few are already bonafide global superstars – with the fortunes to match.
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So who takes home the gold medal when it comes to eye-watering salaries, prize-pots and savvy business deals?
Here, we reveal some of the wealthiest talents at Paris 2024.
LeBron James – £930.5m
Who is the greatest basketball player of all time? Usually, the debate revolves around two legends, Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
The latter’s career has spanned over 20 years, and despite being the oldest player in the NBA, the 39-year-old has proved he has more to give on the court.
Nicknamed King James, he is a billionaire in the States and has a mind-blowing fortune of £930.5million ($1.2billion).
LeBron, Team USA’s flagbearer for the Games, has a lifetime contract with Nike worth £775.5million, among other endorsement deals.
He has invested wisely, owning stakes in football clubs like Liverpool FC and A.C. Milan, while boasting an impressive property portfolio that includes a £17.8million mansion in Los Angeles.
Earlier this year, it was reported that he had demolished a £28.6million property to build his dream home.
LeBron, who has three kids with wife Savannah, also has a car collection said to be worth £3.8million, as well as his very own private jet, a Gulfstream G280, which reportedly cost him £9.2million.
He will be making his fourth appearance at the Olympics this year and will be looking to clinch his third gold medal.
Kevin Durant – 232.7m
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It was announced this week that Kevin Durant, one of the most decorated basketball stars of all time, could miss Team USA’s first match against Serbia.
He is among the wealthiest athletes in the Olympics this year, with a fortune of £232.7million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
With a salary of £32.5million, Kevin, 35, who plays for the Phoenix Suns, is one of the best-paid athletes in the National Basketball Association.
He also has lucrative endorsement deals, including a partnership with Nike that brings in £20million each year.
In April last year, he became the only the third player in NBA history to sign a lifetime contract with the sports brand.
Rory McIlroy – £225m
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Rory McIlroy‘s personal life has drawn more headlines than his performances on the green this year, following his on/off divorce from wife Erica Stoll.
But the 35-year-old golfer from Northern Ireland will be looking to change that at the Olympics.
The star was featured in the Sunday Times’ 40 richest people under 40. He came in at number 13 with an astonishing £225million fortune.
He has a lot to show for his wealth. Rory owns multiple properties, including a luxurious home in Jupiter, Florida, with an infinity pool, a tennis court, and a six-car garage.
His car collection is said to be worth £900,000 and includes a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta.
Novak Djokovic – £178.8m
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Novak Djokovic has won a joint-record 23 Grand Slam titles, which includes a record 10 Australian Open titles.
The Serbian star, 36, has been ranked number one for a record 387 weeks and currently holds that position. He has also finished as the year-end number one on seven different occasions, which is the most for any tennis player.
According to reports, he has earned over £133million in tournament prize money, an all-time record.
He’s been affiliated with big brands such as Hublot, Head, Raiffeisen Bank and Lacoste, which is said to be worth £7.5million a year.
According to Hello!, Novak has homes in Monte Carlo, Serbia, Miami, New York, and Marbella.
Rafael Nadal – £173m
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From April 2005 to March 2023, Rafael Nadal, 38, never left the top 10 of the ATP rankings, a testament to his great career.
The Spanish superstar ties Novak for a joint record 22 Grand Slam men’s singles titles.
He has won the French Open more than any other player, with a record 14 titles, and was a force to be reckoned with alongside Roger and Novak for a decade.
Now plagued by injuries, including a hip problem that prompted his withdrawal from this year’s Wimbledon tournament, he plans a final tour in 2024 before retiring.
Throughout his career, he has won over £107.4million in tournament prize money.
Rafael reportedly owns two seafront properties and has a superyacht.
Steph Curry – £139.5m
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Steph Curry, 36, has often been called the greatest shooter in basketball history and is credited with revolutionising the game.
Throughout his career, he has earned an estimated £139.5million.
In 2021, he signed a contract extension with the Golden State Warriors, reportedly worth £166.7million.
As one of the most impactful celebrities in the world, he has deals with Chase, Nissan, Sony, Unilever, and Infiniti.
He has also invested heavily in real estate and is said to live in a £23.2million mansion in Silicon Valley.
Andy Murray – £130m
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Tennis star Andy Murray’s phenomenal career has netted him an estimated £130million. The 37-year-old Brit has also won three Grand Slams.
He is the fourth all time leader in earnings with over £51.3million in prize money.
His huge celebrity status has made him a favourite of brands such as Jaguar, Head, Standard Life, and Rado.
Andy previously lived in a £5million mansion in Surrey with his wife Kim and their four children but he sold it so they could build the house of their dreams.
According to Hello!, his new crib comes with a swimming pool, massage room, a tennis court, and a gym.
This week he announced his withdrawal from the singles draw at the Olympics. Following a string of injuries, he is set to retire after his doubles bout alongside Dan Evans.
Naomi Osaka – £38.8m
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In 2022, Forbes named tennis player Naomi Osaka the world’s highest-paid female athlete. She first gained worldwide attention by beating Serena Williams at the US Open in 2018.
The 26-year-old has claimed many more victories, including three Grand Slam titles.
She has won more than £16.3million in prize money throughout her career. But her impressive fortune is not limited to the tennis court.
Away from the sport, she launched a skincare brand called KINLÒ in 2021. The following year, she announced that the brand had signed an exclusive partnership deal with Walmart.
Naomi is backed by several giants, including Nike, Panasonic, PlayStation, Airbnb, and Nissan when it comes to brand endorsements.
According to reports, she lives in a £8.6million mansion in Beverley Hills.
Coco Gauff – £16.6m
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Coco Gauff has made a huge name for herself since beating Venus Williams at Wimbledon aged just 15 in 2019.
Since then, the 20-year-old has racked up many victories and been called one of the sport’s brightest stars.
Most of her £16.6million fortune is thanks to her prize money from her tournaments. It has been reported that she has made over £10.8million from competing.
Like many on the list, she has signed lucrative deals with New Balance, Head, Bose, and UPS. Despite all her success, Coco still lives with her parents and has said she intends to move out soon.
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Simone Biles – £12.4m
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With 37 Olympic and World Championship titles to her name, Simone Biles is often – and with good reason – dubbed the greatest gymnast of all time.
The 27-year-old has partnered with brands such as Athleta, SK-II skincare products, Visa, United Airlines, Spieth America gymnastics equipment, Uber Eats, and MasterClass.
Simone is also a savvy businesswoman who has invested in real estate. She recently put her childhood home on the market for £224,000.
She is also building a huge waterfront home in Texas with her American football player husband, Jonathan Owens.
Marta – £10m
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She has scored 118 goals and made 183 appearances for Brazil’s women’s football team.
But the legendary Marta, 38, is set to quit international football after the Paris Olympics. She won silver medals in Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008, but now she has her sights set on gold.
With a career that has spanned over 25 years, Marta has made over £10million, and is one of the richest female football players in the world.
Her £311,000 a year salary is boosted by sponsorship deals with shampoo brand Clear, Puma, and Coca-Cola.
Noah Lyles – £5m
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The United States’ Noah Lyles, 27, has become one of the world’s best track and field sprinters. Known for his incredible speed, he mostly competes in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay events.
A sizeable chunk of his reported £5million fortune is thanks to the prize money he has won throughout his career.
Outside of athletics, he has also established himself as a brand ambassador. He has a £1.5million contract with Adidas, which is in place till the Los Angeles Summer Olympics in 2028.
Omega, Coca-Cola, and Visa are some of the brands he’s partnered with.
Tom Daley – £4m
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After the Olympics in 2008 and 2012, Tom Daley‘s popularity in the UK dramatically increased, making him one of Britain’s most recognised Olympians.
The diver, 30, is a one-time Olympic champion and a four-time World Champion.
He’s dived into some business opportunities away from the pool too, including appearing on ITV’s Splash as a mentor and writing several books.
His brand tie–ups have included partnerships with Adidas, GUESS, and Argos.