Across global sport, a new generation of superstars is raking in eye-watering sums, on and off the field. These rising stars are turning talent into serious wealth like never before, thanks to blockbuster contracts, record-breaking transfer fees and ever more lucrative endorsement deals.
On top of dominating their respective sport, the shrewdest are also building powerful personal brands and business ventures that boost their earnings even further.
From phenomenal soccer prodigies to future NBA legends, click or scroll on for the richest athletes under 30, based on wealth estimates from Celebrity Net Worth.
All dollar values in US dollars
Australia's richest athlete, 29-year-old Ben Simmons made his name Stateside as one of the NBA's most gifted all-round players. The Melbourne-born basketball star was selected first overall in the 2016 NBA Draft and quickly lived up to the hype, winning Rookie of the Year and earning multiple All-Star selections.
Known for his versatility, defensive prowess and playmaking ability, Simmons secured a $177 million (£133m) contract at his peak. While injuries have hampered his consistency in recent years, his career earnings, endorsements and investments have helped him build an impressive $80 million (£60m) fortune.
At just 25, Norway's Erling Haaland is the youngest athlete in this round-up. The Manchester City striker has rapidly established himself as one of the most feared forwards in world soccer. Now the highest-paid player in the English Premier League, he earns $1.2 million (£875k) a week after signing a long-term deal keeping him at City until 2034.
With major endorsement deals with the likes of Nike, Midea and Beats by Dre helping push his annual earnings to around $62 million (£47m), Haaland's financial rise shows no signs of slowing.
Jayson Tatum has become one of the NBA's brightest and highest-earning stars. And he's only 28. The Boston Celtics forward played a key role in delivering the franchise’s 2024 championship.
That year, Tatum signed a record-breaking five-year, $314 million (£236m) contract extension, the richest in NBA history. He's also scored plum deals with Nike's Jordan Brand, Gatorade and Subway.
One of the standout talents of Formula One's new generation, 26-year-old Lando Norris has transformed his early promise into both championship success and massive wealth. Driving for McLaren, the British racer has steadily climbed the grid, culminating in his first World Championship title in 2025.
Norris' success on the track is matched by a $100 million (£75m) contract, earning him around $25 million (£19m) a year in salary alone. Off the circuit, the savvy star supplements his income through business ventures like his Quadrant brand and a strong social media presence.
The richest Canadian athlete under 30, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) has conquered the NBA at just 27. The Oklahoma City Thunder star enjoyed a sensational 2024 season, winning MVP and leading his team to an NBA championship, cementing his status as one of the league's elite players.
Renowned for his smooth scoring and creativity on the court, SGA has cashed in big-time, signing a record-breaking $285 million (£214m) supermax extension. Combined with endorsements and growing global appeal, his dominance has translated into megabucks.
Lightning-fast De'Aaron Fox ranks among the NBA's most exciting guards and its top earners. Selected fifth overall in the 2017 draft, he grew into the cornerstone of the Sacramento Kings before a 2025 move to the San Antonio Spurs.
Now 28, the star's breathtaking performances have earned him an All-Star selection and the league's first-ever Clutch Player of the Year award. Away from the court, Fox has secured major financial rewards, having inked deals with Curry Brand, H-E-B and other major names.
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Still only 27, Juan Soto has already reset baseball's financial ceiling. The Dominican slugger became the highest-paid player in MLB history after signing a record-breaking $765 million (£575m) deal with the New York Mets, the largest contract ever in the sport. Unlike many rival deals, the agreement includes no deferred payments, putting his annual earnings among the very highest in global sport.
Off the field, Soto pulls in millions more through endorsements with brands including Under Armour and New Era.
Also 27, LA Laker Luka Dončić has been among basketball's top earners since his early days in the NBA. After a stint at Real Madrid, the Slovenian guard quickly became one of the league's standout players, with multiple All-Star selections and a salary of $55 million (£41m) a year. Endorsement deals with Nike's Jordan Brand and other prominent names add to his income.
Incidentally, fellow 27-year-old Nikita Mazepin is also worth an estimated $100 million (£75m), though his wealth largely comes from his family’s business empire rather than motor racing.
Japanese-American tennis star Naomi Osaka stands out as the only woman in the top 15. A four-time Grand Slam champion, the 28-year-old shot to global fame after her breakthrough US Open win in 2018 and has gone on to cultivate a colossal fan club.
The bulk of Osaka's wealth comes from endorsements rather than prize money, with gold-plated deals spanning Nike, Louis Vuitton, TAG Heuer and Beats by Dre. She's also branched out into business, launching ventures in media, skincare and sports management.
The richest basketball star under 30, 29-year-old Devin Booker has built his fortune through elite scoring and long-term deals with the Phoenix Suns. Drafted in 2015, the shooting guard swiftly gained attention for his offensive firepower, including a remarkable 70-point game early in his career.
Booker's financial standing has surged courtesy of successive contract extensions, most notably a $150 million (£113m) deal that carries one of the highest annual salaries in league history. He's also cleaned up from contracts with brands including Nike and Boss, and boasts his own sports drink to boot.
Jake Paul is something of an outlier. Rather than a traditional athlete, he's a crossover star who parlayed internet fame into an immensely profitable boxing career. The 29-year-old American first garnered a massive audience on Vine and YouTube before stepping into the ring, where headline-grabbing bouts against names including Mike Tyson and Tommy Fury helped send his earnings soaring.
On top of those paydays, Paul has made huge sums of money through promotions, social media and business ventures.
The richest motor racing star under 30, 28-year-old Max Verstappen has dominated Formula One in recent years, winning four consecutive world titles between 2021 and 2024. The Dutch-Belgian driver's relentless consistency and racecraft have made him the benchmark on the grid.
His reign ended last year when Lando Norris edged him to the title in a tightly contested championship battle. Even so, with a Red Bull deal worth around $55 million (£41m) a year plus bonuses and endorsements, Verstappen remains one of the sport's biggest earners.
Kylian Mbappé has amassed an incredible $250 million (£188m) fortune through stellar on-pitch performances and huge commercial appeal. The Paris-born superstar rose to global prominence after helping France win the 2018 World Cup and remains one of soccer's most electrifying players. As Real Madrid's top scorer, he earns a tidy $1.6 million (£1.2m) a week.
Off the pitch, the 27-year-old has been dubbed the rising star of endorsements, with high-profile deals encompassing Nike, Hublot, EA Sports and Dior resulting in humongous paydays.
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