The $500 Million Club: The Rare Athletes Who Have Cracked Half A Billion in Career Earnings From Salary Alone

Being a professional athlete has never been more lucrative. Across the "Big 4" leagues—NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL—minimum and average salaries are up, and stars can earn ludicrous amounts of money. That's just in terms of salary; the earnings potential off the court is limitless. Sneaker deals, product endorsements, and business investments are all avenues toward additional money. The recent influx of sports gambling—a slippery slope, for sure—only adds more opportunities.

While it's impossible to pinpoint just how much athletes have earned from off-the-field endeavors, we have records of their salaries. And a pair has achieved something truly special: they've cracked half a billion dollars in total earnings. Several athletes will surpass that milestone in the next few years, too.

Here are the players who are members, or soon-to-be members, of this exclusive club:

Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant during the 2024 Olympics. (DAMIEN MEYER/AFP via Getty Images)

LeBron James, $581.4 million

It's hard to overstate how impressive LeBron James's career has been. He entered the league straight out of high school and was touted as the "Chosen One" several years before going No. 1 in the 2003 draft. His hometown team drafted him, and he's since played in high-profile cities including Miami and Los Angeles. With four championships, four MVP awards, 21 All-NBA Team nods, and the all-time scoring record, he's certainly lived up to lofty expectations.

Perhaps it's no surprise that he's also the league's highest earner ever. His first nine-figure contract came during "The Decision," when he announced he was taking his talents to South Beach. He signed a six-year, $110 million deal with the Miami Heat, although that deal included an opt-out after the fourth year. He ultimately re-signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers, beginning a trend of signing shorter deals with player options to maximize his earnings.

He's earned about three-fifths of his overall salary since joining the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018, amassing nearly $347.5 million during that span. This season, at age 41, he's making over $52.6 million.

Kevin Durant, $501.1 million

With a 2025-26 salary of $53.2 million, Kevin Durant will officially top $500 million in career earnings by the time this season ends. He's actually on the last year of a four-year, $194.2 million deal he signed while with the Brooklyn Nets back in 2022. The Nets traded him to the Phoenix Suns during the 2022-23 season, and after three seasons and one playoff series win, the Suns dealt Durant to the Houston Rockets the day of Game 7 of last year's NBA Finals. Durant signed a two-year, $90 million extension with the Rockets, which kicks in beginning next season.

While the bulk of LeBron's career earnings heavily weigh toward one team, Durant's earnings are more evenly spread out. Four years in Brooklyn was his most lucrative stop; he made almost $147.4 million there. Despite winning two championships with the Golden State Warriors, Durant will have earned the least amount of money while in the Bay. Over three seasons, his Warriors salary was $81.5 million.

Stephen Curry, $470.1 million

We're including Steph Curry on this list because he's still under contract for one more year, and he'll easily surpass the half-a-billion mark by then. Curry has fundamentally changed the NBA; his sharpshooting may never be beaten. He holds multiple single-season records for three-pointers made in a season, as well as the league's all-time record. He's also won two MVP awards, with his 2016 MVP marking the first time someone had unanimously won the award.

Unlike the others, Curry has made all of his money while with the Warriors. He took a hometown discount earlier in his career, though he's more than making up for it now. He signed a four-year, $215.3 million contract in 2021. This season, he's earning $59.6 million, and his salary next year will be about $62.5 million.

Other Players Close to $500 Million

There are currently nine players in the "Big 4" leagues who have made at least $400 million in their careers. We can remove Alex Rodriguez ($485.2 million) and Chris Paul ($404.5 million) because they're both retired and won't increase their salaries. Justin Verlander ($409.3 million) is unlikely to make enough money; he just turned 43 years old and signed a $13 million contract, so he'd still need to play several more seasons to hit half a billion.

James Harden could potentially reach the milestone, though it's a bit of a stretch. He's currently at $411.4 million and has a player option worth $42.3 million next year. Assuming he opts in, he'll be 38 before the start of the 2027-28 season. Does he have enough years left in him to get another $46 million?

Ditto with Matthew Stafford, who's made $408.3 million to date. His current contract won't push him over the threshold, and he'll be in his age-39 season when he next becomes a free agent. We've seen quarterbacks play into their 40s. However, that's still the exception, not the rule.

But all hope is not lost! Paul George, who signed a four-year, $211.5 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, still has nearly $111 million of that contract remaining over the next two seasons. He's earned $406.2 million to date, which means he'll pass $500 million during the 2027-28 season. And that even factors in the $11.7 million he's losing during his 25-game suspension for taking an improper medication.

There are also athletes who are earlier in their careers but are inked to extra-rich deals. Shohei Ohtani famously signed a $700 million deal (with much of it deferred). Juan Soto topped it the following season, agreeing to a 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. signed a 14-year, $500 million extension with the Toronto Blue Jays at the beginning of last season. Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays ultimately wound up one win away from the World Series. They'll have to wait to hit half a billion in career earnings, but they'll get there eventually.

Meanwhile, Patrick Mahomes will likely be the first NFL player to amass half a billion dollars. He's in the middle of a 10-year, $450 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. That deal runs through 2031, with a potential out after the 2028 season.

As for the NHL, well… we might never see someone hit this milestone. Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin are two of the greatest hockey players the game has ever seen. In 19 seasons, Crosby has made $173.2 million. Ovechkin has made $170.7 million over 17 years. Hockey contracts simply aren't as big.

Even a decade ago, the idea of someone earning half a billion dollars from their sport seemed far-fetched. Now, it's happened for multiple players—with more on the way.