The NFL is the world’s richest sports league with the average team worth$ 5.93 billion and profits of$ 143 million. The biggest celebrities in the sport are also making more money than previously.
The 20 highest-paid players will earn an estimated$ 1.1 billion this year, on and off the field, up 29 % from the top paid in 2023. Dak Prescott is the first NFL player to make$ 100 million in a calendar year with$ 86.25 million from the Dallas Cowboys in 2024 and an estimated$ 14 million from endorsements, memorabilia and licensing.
Players dominate the highest-paid participants with 16 comments, including every one of the best 10. Jared Goff ($ 86 million ), Jordan Love ($ 82 million ), Patrick Mahomes ($ 73 million ) and Joe Burrow ($ 70 million ) round out the top five behind Prescott.
Prescott’s fresh four-year,$ 240 million deal was completed days before the Cowboys kicked off their season against the Cleveland Browns. The deal set an NFL record for average annual salary of$ 60 million, a major step up from the$ 55 million-a-year deals for fellow quarterbacks Burrow, Love and Trevor Lawrence. Additionally, the$ 29 million in guaranteed funds was a step ahead of the$ 29 million that the Browns gave to quarterback Deshaun Watson in 2022, a move that is now being investigated in part because of fresh physical abuse allegations.
Prescott then has two of the NFL’s five largest signing bonuses, including the$ 66 million he received in 2021. The biggest NFL deals traditionally include large signing bonuses, which was the case this year for Love ($ 75 million ), Goff ($ 73 million ) and Kirk Cousins ($ 50 million ). Brian Burns ($ 43.9 million ) is the line defender.
Prescott’s function as QB for America’s Team makes him a famous pitchman. His colleagues include Nike’s Jordan Brand, Lowe’s, Beats, AT&, T and Albertsons.
Since being selected by the Kansas City Chiefs with the 10th overall pick in 2017, Mahomes has built a remarkable on-field profile. He holds the record for career passing yards per game ( 295 ) and is MVP in each of his three Super Bowl victories, two of which are his two. His off-field activity is moreover elite.
Mahomes has the richest and most extensive support investment in the game. He boasts more than a hundred partners, including Adidas, BOSS, Oakley, State Farm and T-Mobile. He also invested in his native sports team with majority ownership stakes in MLB’s Royals, MLS ‘ Sporting Houston and NWSL’s Houston Current. He invested with partner Travis Kelce and golf Rory McIlroy last year by purchasing a stake in Alpine, an F1 team, to increase his activities holdings.
The player’s latest business opportunity is a ready-to-drink cold coffee company, Throne Sport Coffee, that he launched this spring with tea industry veteran Michael Fedele. Mahomes is the second largest investment after Fedele and called it a “no-brainer” to get involved in a java with B vitamins, potassium, amino acid and organic coffee. Mahomes stated to Sportico in May,” I’m always trying to get my brain in the best design possible.” Additionally, Madhy is an investment in heath tracker Whoop and recovery tool Hyperice.
A party licensing and marketing contract from the NFL Players Association are among Mahomes ‘ estimated$ 27 million in off-field income. Last year, he made$ 3.6 million to lead 22 players who earned at least$ 1 million from the NFLPA. Other players with big payments included Jalen Hurts ($ 2.7 million ), Josh Allen ($ 2.5 million ) and Kelce ($ 2.4 million ).
No person’s profile and off-field earnings have increased more in the past year than Kelce, who’s had a worldwide following following his relationship with singer Taylor Swift. His licence income jumped 177 %, while his support partners include client companies General Mills, Lowe’s and PepsiCo. Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity may be hosted by Kelly as the game show’s network. which will be available on Amazon Prime starting next month.
The limited end will receive almost the$ 17 million that the team’s agreement with the Chiefs will pay each year after agreeing to have their podcast from New Heights distributed on Wondery, Amazon’s podcast production company. The three-year deal is worth more than$ 100 million for the podcast, which launched at the start of the 2022 season.
Sportico’s revenue numbers include basic salaries and prizes for the 2024 calendar year. Any opportunities or playoff bonuses are not included. The off-field revenue estimates were gathered from conversations with NFL executives who are well-versed in support deals. Also included is money from antiques, appearances, media and companies tied to their star. These earnings account for 14 % of the$ 1.1 billion that the top 20 are projected to earn in 2024. The figures are all included before any broker fees and taxes.