The highest-paid athletes of the 1990s

The 1990s was a glorious time for sport. It not only saw athletes soaring to new heights on the field, but also in their earnings. Fueled by the explosive growth of TV rights, global fandom, and lucrative endorsements, these athletes commanded record-breaking contracts. The 90s were a truly transformative time in world sport.

Here’s a look at the highest-paid athletes of the decade, detailing the monumental deals that made them sports icons and household names.

Player Contract: $25.5 million (approx. £15 million / €23 million) over 8 years with the Los Angeles Kings

Endorsements: Estimated $5 million annually (approx. £3 million / €4.5 million) from Nike, Upper Deck, and others

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Gretzky’s Kings contract and endorsements brought his annual earnings over $10 million (approx. £6 million / €9 million) by the early 90s, solidifying him as hockey’s top earner and one of the most marketable athletes of the era, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.

Fight Earnings: $35 million (approx. £21 million / €32 million) for his 1997 rematch with Mike Tyson

Holyfield’s earnings peaked with his 1997 Tyson rematch, where he earned a then-record $35 million for a single fight. His fight purses throughout the decade kept him among boxing’s best-paid athletes, as reported by ESPN.

Player Contract: $13 million (approx. £8 million / €12 million) over 3 years with the Los Angeles Dodgers

Nomo’s groundbreaking move to the MLB included a $13 million deal with the Dodgers. Combined with undisclosed endorsement deals in Japan, his total annual income exceeded $10 million (approx. £6 million / €9 million), according to the Los Angeles Times.

Endorsement Contract: $20 million (approx. £12 million / €18 million) over 10 years with Nike

Agassi’s unique style made him a marketing star. His endorsement with Nike, alongside deals with Head, Canon, and American Express, drove his total annual income past $25 million (approx. £15 million / €23 million), making him one of the top earners in tennis by the decade’s end, as told by Forbes.

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Endorsements: $20 million annually (approx. £12 million / €18 million)

Palmer’s competitive golf career may have wound down, but his endorsement portfolio remained massive. Deals with brands like Pennzoil, Hertz, and Rolex generated $20 million annually, solidifying him as one of the highest-paid athletes in the 90s despite limited time on the course, according to Forbes.

Player Contract: $121 million (approx. £73 million / €109 million) over 7 years with the Los Angeles Lakers

Shaq’s 1996 contract with the Lakers was the richest in NBA history at the time. Endorsements from Pepsi, Reebok, and Nestlé added millions to his income, bringing his annual earnings close to $20 million (approx. £12 million / €18 million) by the end of the decade, as reported by the New York Times.

Endorsement Contract: $40 million (approx. £24 million / €36 million) with Nike (signed in 1996)

Woods’ rookie deal with Nike marked one of the largest endorsement deals in sports. Within a few years, he was raking in over $50 million annually (approx. £30 million / €45 million) from deals with Titleist, Buick, and American Express, cementing his place among the highest earners of the decade, as told by Golf.

Player Contract: $31 million per year (approx. £19 million / €28 million) with Ferrari

Endorsements: Estimated $20 million (approx. £12 million / €18 million) from sponsors like Marlboro and Shell

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Schumacher’s contract with Ferrari, combined with his endorsements, brought his total annual income to over $50 million (approx. £30 million / €45 million) in the late 90s, establishing him as one of the world’s top-earning athletes, according to Forbes.

Fight Contract: $30 million per fight (approx. £18 million / €27 million) through a Showtime deal

Tyson’s blockbuster deal with Showtime guaranteed him $30 million for major fights. This agreement, combined with pay-per-view revenues, made Tyson the highest-paid athlete per fight, with his earnings boosted even further by sponsorships from major brands, according to the Sports Business Journal.

Player Contract: $33 million (approx. £20 million / €30 million) with the Chicago Bulls for the 1997-98 season

Endorsements: Estimated $45 million per year (approx. £27 million / €40 million) from Nike, Gatorade, and others

Michael Jordan’s 1997-98 contract made him the highest-paid NBA player ever at that time. Combined with his endorsement deals, Jordan’s annual income soared above $78 million (approx. £47 million / €70 million) in 1997 alone, making him the highest-paid athlete of the 1990s.

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