Every sport has a GOAT and initially, they are determined by one aspect; their sporting abilities. After these athletes prove their mettle in their respective disciplines, that is when they start reaping the rewards of their labor. One of the easiest ways to quantify this claim is through the monetary aspect. An athlete’s earnings have become public knowledge, and this is sometimes the only way to make cross-sports comparisons. This is exactly what we will do to settle the GOAT debate in two different worlds. The two different worlds of F1 with Lewis Hamilton at the helm and NFL’s GOAT Tom Brady.
Brady has been on top of the NFL world and has been a part of the sport for an unprecedented 23 seasons. Brady ruled the sport during his two-decade-long alliance with the New England Patriots. The 46-year-old won countless titles while breaking all personal and franchise records during the process. This made Brady one of the highest earners in the sport as well, with his career earnings standing at $530 million.
Comparing that with the F1 GOAT, as the USA Today did as well, Hamilton has also broken multiple personal and team records with Mercedes during his tenure with the team so far. The seven-time world champion’s current earnings stand at $512,160,000.
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However, Hamilton has recently signed a two-year extension that will make him leapfrog the retired NFL GOAT. Hamilton’s new contract will see him earn a whopping $127 million, bringing his total to $639 million before bonuses.
Even if it was hard for Hamilton to believe, the Brit will is right up there with Tom Brady. Talk about the battle of the GOATs! However, not just compared to Brady, his new contract will make Hamilton the unprecedented F1 GOAT as well.
After leaving Tom Brady behind, Lewis Hamilton will pip Michael Schumacher behind as well in the all-time GOAT debate
The Brit is often compared to Michael Schumacher because of their on-track achievements. Even though Hamilton has made most of the personal records his own, both F1 GOATs are still tied with seven championships each. However, on the monetary aspect, Hamilton was behind the German legend. That will change before his contract runs out in 2025.
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For now, Schumacher’s net worth is more than Hamilton’s with the German’s worth being $620 million. This will change by the end of 2025, with Hamilton’s mega salary, his bonuses, and his thriving businesses and sponsorships.
In fact, from 2024 onwards, Hamilton will reclaim the crown of the highest-earning driver on the grid with his $63 million annual salary. A status that was taken over by Max Verstappen as the Dutchman is set to earn a cool $55 million in 2023.
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The money talk is definitely making us all feel a certain way by now. However, we mustn’t forget the achievements of these legends in their sports. We must thank our lucky stars for being alive in the same generation as them.