Being a pro athlete surely has its perks. And no one knows it better than LeBron James and Cristiano Ronaldo, who are arguably the two greatest players in their respective sport. With that honor also comes a massive bank balance be it from salaries, sponsorships, or multiple business ventures. Sure enough, that makes them two of the richest sports figures in the world. But who between LBJ and CR7 has the upper hand in the financial department?

As fans get curious about the LeBron vs. Ronaldo debate, let’s dive deeper into the two superstars’ multiple sources of income that have made them billionaires.

First athletes to set a benchmark in their sport and their vast salary difference

While LeBron is constantly discussed in the GOAT debate, there is no denying that he is the greatest basketball player of his era. And having given 21 years of his life to the league so far, James also achieved the feat of becoming the first active NBA player to add a billionaire tag to his name two years ago. As of this year, he sits comfortably with a net worth of $1.2 Billion. Surprisingly though, James manifested the figure in an interview ten years ago, “It’s my biggest milestone. Obviously, I want to maximize my business. And if I happen to get it, if I happen to be a billion-dollar athlete, ho. Hip hip hooray! Oh, my God, I’m gonna be excited.”

Obviously, a major chunk of that money comes from his salary as a basketball player. Up until this year, he has bagged over $479.4 million in career earnings. Moreover, LBJ recently inked a two-year $101.3 million extension with the Lakers, which means he will make $48.7 million in salary next season. Surely, that number would seem unfathomable to an Average Joe. But wait till you find out how much Ronaldo makes. Well, he too has a ten-figure net worth just like LeBron. But CR7 achieved it two years before the Lakers star and was the first soccer star to do so. And his market value has only grown since then.

Topping the list of the Highest Paid Athletes, Ronaldo made $260 million this year. Sure enough, a major reason behind it was his record $200 million annual salary with Saudi club Al Nassr. Moreover, the massive investment has paid off well for the club as CR7 has brought a ton of attention to the club and has even earned Player of the Month honors multiple times. With his contract expiring next year, the club is reportedly already in talks with CR7 to extend his stay in the country with an extension. So, don’t be surprised if he tops the list once again next year.

Meanwhile, LeBron was not too far behind on the list, holding on to the fourth spot with annual earnings of $128.2 million. Apart from Ronaldo, John Rahm and Lionel Messi were also ahead of the Lakers star. But salaries are only one part of these superstars’ income and they are raking in millions more from other sources.

From Lifetime Sponsorships to Hotel Businesses to Owning Sports Teams

While salaries are a major part of LeBron and Ronaldo’s income, they also make significant money from sponsorships. Obviously, being two of the most recognizable faces in the world, their association is enough for a brand to sell any product. Well, CR7 takes the cake in the social media department as he recently crossed a combined one billion followers on all platforms. Sure enough, that comes after he created a channel on YouTube that shattered several records for subscriber count and now has a following of over 63 million. And because of his massive following, Ronaldo reportedly charges $3.23 million for a sponsored Instagram post.

Meanwhile, LeBron also has a decent IG following of over 159 million. Apart from social media numbers, both athletes are among the few who have lifetime sponsorship with Nike worth over $1 billion. While LBJ has been under Nike’s umbrella since 2003, he inked the lifetime deal nine years ago. Meanwhile, CR7 signed the deal just a year later. Here are some other big-name brands that the two athletes have been sponsored by over the years:

Because of these endorsements, LeBron made a whopping $80 million this year while Ronaldo raked in $60 million. But the one source that could take their net worth to the next level are investments. With millions in their bank accounts and the best resources in the world, LeBron and Ronaldo frequently venture into new avenues and have made several profitable investments.

In LeBron’s case, he has successfully entered the media and entertainment business in recent years by co-founding SpringHill Entertainment and Uninterrupted with partner Maverick Carter. The company has produced several amazing projects including the Adam Sandler’s basketball movie Hustle which followed the hoop journey of Bo Cruz, played by former NBA star Juancho Hernangomez. Moreover, King James has also invested in the tequila company Lobos 1707 and constantly promotes it on his social media. Twelve years ago, he turned down a $15 million extension offer from McDonald’s and put his trust in the upcoming Blaze Pizza. Becoming an equity stakeholder in the company, he has made significantly more money than what he would have made with McDonald’s.

But what truly seems like the natural step in LeBron’s career progression is his entry into sports ownership. Just three years ago, LeBron along with Maverick Carter partnered with Fenway Sports Group to become a minority stakeholder. Sure enough, that made him a minority owner of historic franchises including the Boston Red Sox. And James even stepped into Ronaldo’s world as he bought a 2% stake in Liverpool FC thirteen years ago. “I read about the franchise and how amazing it is. I actually made a trip over to Liverpool as well.” He said in an interview after making the purchase. Moreover, James dreams of someday owning a franchise in the NBA as he has repeatedly expressed his desire to bring a team to Las Vegas.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo also has no shortage of great investments. Well, he has successfully ventured into the hospitality business as he partnered with Pestana Hotel Group, which is well known as Pestana CR7. While initially established in Portugal, the hotel chain has now expanded to Madrid, Lisbon, and even New York. Sticking to the hospitality theme, Ronaldo also has a stake in Groupo Mabel Capital, which owns several high-profile restaurants.

Being the icon that he is, he also has his own clothing and lifestyle brand, aptly named CR7, which sells products ranging from footwear to perfumes. Obviously, being one of the best athletes in the world, it made sense for Ronaldo to partner with Crunch Franchise eight years ago and open a gym called CR7 Crunch Fitness. Apart from these lucrative businesses, he is also into the hair care business and even rents out private jets.

Well, connecting with the most talented people and making smart business decisions is what has turned LeBron and Ronaldo into some of the richest athletes. Not only are they leaving a legendary legacy in their respective sport, but they are also setting a benchmark for the future generation of athletes by showing them how to create their own brand and make a profit off it. Surely, they will continue to add to their staggering net worth even after they decide to hang their boots.