The world is absolutely obsessed with sports these days. It’s a booming industry that brings in gobs of cash and gets people from all walks of life fired up. Think about it – sports are a universal language that unites cultures and gets everyone amped to get in on the action, whether they’re sitting in the stands or suiting up themselves.
Now, when it comes to the real money-makers, there are a few sports that stand head and shoulders above the rest. We’re talking hundreds of billions of dollars flowing through these industries on the regular. So, which ones rake in the most dough in 2024? Let me break it down for you…
Important Info: The global market value figures for the sports listed in this post are based on research and estimates from industry analysts and reports.
While we have aimed to provide accurate and up-to-date information, the actual market values may differ from the figures presented here, as the sports industry is dynamic and subject to ongoing changes.
The data should be interpreted as approximate values rather than precise figures.
1. Football – $600 billion
Football – or soccer, as we call it here in the States – is an absolute juggernaut. I mean, this sport is just rolling in the dough, with a total net worth of around $600 billion as of 2024. That’s some serious cash.
It’s got over 250 million players worldwide, spread out across 200 countries. That is a true global phenomenon. This game is hands down one of the most popular sports on the planet.
Now, the real money is in being a pro athlete in this league. The average player is earning a cool $4 million, which is just insane. When you look at the Forbes list of highest-paid athletes, it’s no surprise that football stars dominate the rankings.
Lionel Messi is sitting pretty at #1 with a net worth of $130 million, Cristiano Ronaldo is right behind him at #3 with $115 million, and Neymar rounds out the top 4 with a $95 million net worth. These guys are living the dream, that’s for sure.
2. American Football – $163 billion
According to the latest intel, the NFL is worth a staggering $163 billion, making it the second most valuable sports league on the planet.
And the money just keeps rolling in for these guys – the average player is pulling in a cool $2.4 million per year these days. Of course, the real big dogs are raking it in even more.
We’re talking about the top stars making bank, like Joe Burrow, a QB for the Cincinnati Bengals who is the owner of the highest-paid contract in the league, which stands at 55 million.
In fact, the NFL as a whole is just printing money, generating over $11 billion in revenue just last year – more than any other league in any other sport.
3. Basketball – $120 billion
The NBA is a real powerhouse in the world of sports these days. According to recent estimations, the league’s global market value has skyrocketed to nearly $120 billion, putting it at a solid 3rd place among the world’s richest sports. It’s a true global phenomenon, with massive followings in countries like the US, Canada, and Australia.
But let’s rewind a bit – the NBA’s rise to prominence really started with the one and only Michael Jordan. He was the first big name to truly capture the world’s attention and grow the sport’s popularity worldwide, even though it was already a beloved pastime in the States.
Nowadays, the average NBA player is raking in around $3.8 million per year. And the big dogs, like Steph Curry, are pulling in a jaw-dropping $51.9 million annually.
4. Golf – $88.3 billion
The golf industry has been steadily heating up over the years.
It used to be seen as a sport for the upper crust, but these days, golf is gaining serious traction with people from all walks of life. In fact, the global golf market is estimated to be worth more than $88.3 billion in 2024.
And the equipment side of things is no slouch either. The projections show the golf gear market raking in around $25 billion in revenue in 2024. Looks like everyone’s looking to get their hands on the latest and greatest clubs, balls, and accessories.
Now, when it comes to the top earners, Scottie Scheffler is clearly killin’ it on the green. He pulled in a cool $10.9 million last year, cementing his status as one of the highest-paid golfers around.
5. Ice Hockey – $50 billionÂ
Hockey is absolutely booming these days. The overall net market value of ice hockey is sitting at around $60 billion as of 2024 – that’s a massive number.
And it’s easy to see why the game is so popular. The speed and skill of these athletes is just unreal. It really does live up to the “Fastest Game on Earth” moniker.
You’ve got guys flying all over the ice, making split-second decisions, and pulling off jaw-dropping plays.
Take the NHL for example – the average pro player in that league is pulling in around $2.2 million per year! And the league as a whole raked in $10.2 billion in revenue during the 2023-24 season.
6. Baseball – $30 billion
Baseball, America’s favorite pastime, is no joke when it comes to the numbers. By my calculations, we’re talking about a cool $30 billion industry – and that’s worldwide, of course.
The average pro ballplayer earns around $4.5 million per year. But you know how it is – the real heavy hitters, the superstars, they’re making a whole lot more. Let’s take, for example, Shohei Ohtani, one of the best in the game. He pulled in $70 million in 2024 alone.
And the MLB, the big leagues? The revenue just keeps on climbing. The average team is now worth a smooth $2.4 billion – that’s a 4% jump from just a year ago. It’s clear the love for the game is stronger than ever, and the big shots are cashing in.
7. Formula 1 – $16.59 billion
The business side of Formula 1 is looking pretty healthy. As per statistics and available data, the overall market cap of the Formula One Group (FWONK) is projected to hit around $16.59 billion by the end of 2024.
And get this – Formula 1 is expected to gross a record revenue of roughly $3.74 billion next year. That’s some serious cash flow, that is expected from the biggest motorsport on the planet.
The sponsorship dollars are flowing in, too. The estimated sponsorship revenue for F1 in 2024 is sitting at around $513.75 million. The big brands are clearly lining up to get a piece of the action.
8. Tennis – $15 billion
The global tennis equipment market is really heating up. Industry analysts are projecting some serious growth – they reckon it’ll balloon to a whopping $4.59 billion by 2030.
And it’s not just the overall equipment market that’s on the up and up. The tennis racquet segment in particular is forecasted to reach a total value of over $505 million by 2025. Looks like the racquet makers are gonna be raking it in over the next few years.
As for the more immediate future, the tennis equipment market as a whole is expected to grow by over $200 million between 2024 and 2028. So, even in the shorter term, this industry is really on a roll.
It’s really difficult to asses the global value of the sport itself, but based on the data available, I estimated it is around 15 billion USD, even though it is likely higher and will continue to grow.
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