Where Patrick Mahomes Ranks on the World’s Richest Athletes Is Actually Quite Shocking

ansas City Chiefs superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes is a household name in the NFL. He is not only celebrated for his on-field brilliance, but also his off-field marketability. While his athletic prowess has earned him multiple accolades and Super Bowl victories, his financial success off the gridiron is equally remarkable. But where he ranks on the list of world’s richest athletes is actually quite shocking.

Patrick Mahomes Has an Average Salary for an NFL Quarterback

In 2020, after leading the Chiefs to victory in Super Bowl LIV, Mahomes signed a 10-year contract extension worth over $450 million. It was one of the largest contracts in sports history by total value.

But, the annual breakdown of the contract puts his salary at $45 million per year. Which means he has the 14th-highest average salary per year among the NFL’s 32 starting quarterbacks, per Over the Cap.

“In 2025, Mahomes will earn a base salary of $1,255,000, a restructure bonus of $47,745,000 and a workout bonus of $1,000,000, while carrying a cap hit of $28,062,269 and a dead cap value of $94,488,045,” according to Spotrac.com.

The numbers get even bigger once you factor in Mahomes’ numerous endorsements. Adding those advertising dollars to his NFL salary makes Mahomes one of the world’s highest-paid athletes.

QB1’s Spot on the Highest-Paid Athlete List May Surprise You

Mahomes scored his first endorsement deal following his 2018 MVP season when he signed with Hunt’s after revealing his love for ketchup. But that was just the beginning. He has also signed deals with Oakley, State Farm, DirecTV, T-Mobile, Adidas, Hy-Vee, Helzberg Diamonds, Subway, Head & Shoulders, and the beverage manufacturer Prime.

Mahomes appeared on the cover of Madden NFL 20 and Madden NFL 22. He also became an equity partner in BioSteel sports drinks after signing an endorsement deal with the company. He even appeared in a Coors Light commercial, despite the NFL’s rules prohibiting endorsements of alcohol products.

According to Forbes, Mahomes was the 18th highest-paid athlete globally between May 1, 2024, and May 1, 2025, earning a total of $86.8 million. Of course, this places him at an elite level in terms of earnings. But considering his dominance in the NFL, many fans may have expected him to rank higher than 18 on the list of highest-paid athletes globally.

Patrick Mahomes Wasn’t Even the Top Earner in the NFL

Despite his big contract and numerous endorsements, Mahomes wasn’t even the top earner from the NFL on the global athlete list. Instead, he came in third behind the Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott ($137 million) and the Cleveland Browns’ Deshaun Watson ($91.8 million).

The top-earning athlete in the world is soccer star Christian Ronaldo, who earned $275 million in the past year.

“The off-field earnings figures are an estimate of sponsorship deals, appearance fees and memorabilia and licensing income for all 12 months leading to May 1, 2025, plus cash returns from any businesses in which the athlete has a significant interest,” Forbes wrote.

Mahomes’ off-field earnings, however, can’t be matched, as they were calculated to be $28 million. In addition to his endorsements, Mahomes is also part of a franchise group that owns multiple Whataburger locations in the Kansas City area. He also holds ownership stakes in the Kansas City Royals, Sporting Kansas City, and the Kansas City Current.

Tell us! Were you surprised by Patrick Mahomes’ ranking among the world’s wealthiest athletes in 2025? Let us know in the comments below.