Speed, records, and big paychecks! These 5 track & field superstars are the richest as the 2025 season starts Image source: Imago i Top 5 Highest Paid Athletes In The World 2025
Speed, records, and big paychecks! These 5 track & field superstars are the richest as the 2025 season starts.
Track and field is one of the most exciting sports and offers elite athletes substantial prize money. Top athletes also get the chance to earn from endorsements and sponsorships.
As the 2025 season begins, these five athletes have already made a name for themselves and stand out as the highest-paid in the world, thanks to their dominance on the track and their massive commercial appeal.
Pulse Sports Kenya looks at an analysis of what makes the athletes the richest at the start of the 2025 season even though most of them are yet to start their seasons.
PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Athletics News in Kenya from Pulse Sports.
1) Noah Lyles – $7 million
Top 5 Highest Paid Athletes In The World 2025
Triple world champion Noah Lyles is undeniably one of the world’s greatest sprinters of his generation. He is a dominant force in sprinting and has raked in from his lucrative endorsements with Adidas, Red Bull, and Omega.
FIFA rankings: What Harambee Starlets 7-place rise in March means for Kenyan football
At the start of 2024, Noah Lyles signed a lucrative extension deal with Adidas and it was reportedly the richest in track and field since Usain Bolt’s deal with Puma.
Noah Lyles also has a huge social media following that has greatly boosted his marketability. His on-track success and engaging personality have made him one of the most bankable athletes in the sport.
Noah Lyles’ electrifying performances and charismatic presence have made him a favourite among brands and fans alike. His track success and off-track deals with Omega, Red Bull, and Visa, have significantly boosted his annual earnings.
2) Jakob Ingebrigtsen – $5 million
Top 5 Highest Paid Athletes In The World 2025
Jakob Ingebrigtsen has managed to position himself as one of the most valuable athletes in the sport and made a name for himself in Norway and beyond.
Benni McCarthy makes South African-based defender his first Harambee Stars call-up
Benni McCarthy makes South African-based defender his first Harambee Stars call-up
As of now, Nike remains his primary sponsor, offering him a lucrative deal that includes race bonuses and royalties from signature running gear. Ingebrigtsen has also worked with Polar, a leading fitness tracking brand, and various Norwegian companies looking to associate with his success.
He continues to make waves on and off the track and his estimated net worth continues to rise as he remains a dominant force in global athletics.
3) Mondo Duplantis – $5 million
Top 5 Highest Paid Athletes In The World 2025
Mondo Duplantis, the world record holder in pole vault, could not miss this list, thanks to his hard work that has earned him massive amounts.
His electrifying performances, multiple world records and titles have secured him top deals with Puma, Red Bull, and Omega. Mondo Duplantis’ ability to break records consistently has kept him in the limelight and made him one of the highest-paid track and field stars.
Mondo Duplantis has been making waves in the pole vault, setting and breaking his world records multiple times and people are now drawn into watching the little-known event. Puma has invested heavily in Duplantis, ensuring that he remains a key ambassador for their track and field division.
5 Highest paid African players in Qatar: Where does Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga rank?
5 Highest paid African players in Qatar: Where does Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga rank?
His Red Bull deal also adds to his earnings, providing financial incentives for record-breaking performances. Additionally, Omega, a leading watch brand, signed him as a global ambassador due to his excellence in his event.
4) Faith Kipyegon- $5 million
Top 5 Highest Paid Athletes In The World 2025
Faith Kipyegon reportedly has a net worth of around $5 million. Her primary source of wealth is from her competitions, sponsorships, endorsements, and investments.
The 1500m world record is undeniably the greatest 1500m runner ever and that comes with a lot of prestige but also marketability.
Faith Kipyegon’s prowess over the distance has earned her significant prize money as she has managed to win world and Olympic titles and also reign supreme at the Diamond League Meetings.
Faith Kipyegon is also a beneficiary of the bonus for world records since she has managed to break records in the 1500m, 5000m, and the mile in 2023.
Her partnership with Nike has also had a major impact on her financial success. Her Olympic success and record-breaking performances also saw Kipyegon receive bonuses from the government.
5) Sha’Carri Richardson – $4 million
Top 5 Highest Paid Athletes In The World 2025
As of March 2025, Sha’Carri Richardson’s Net Worth is estimated to be around $4 million according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Richardson is among the most talented sprinters in the world and that has earned her a place among the greats. Such honours come with a level of pride and marketability and one thing is for sure, Sha’Carri Richardson has managed to capitalize on that to the fullest.
Her talent on the track has also earned her lucrative prize money, from clinching wins at the World Championships, Olympic Games and Diamond League meetings. She has signed deals with Nike, Beats by Dre, Sprite, and Mielle Organics among other brands.
Track and field stars continue to elevate the sport with their explosive performances and make earnings from prize money and endorsement deals. These top five stars have not only dominated the track but have also leveraged their brand power to become some of the richest athletes in the sport.
Leave a Reply