Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nigerian-Born Athlete, Ranks Among World’s Top Earners

Greek-Nigerian basketball sensation Giannis Antetokounmpo has garnered significant recognition as one of the world’s highest-earning athletes according to Forbes’ 2024 rankings.

Securing the fifth position on this prestigious list, Giannis, representing the Milwaukee Bucks in the National Basketball Association (NBA), boasts an impressive combined annual income of $111 million, stemming from both his on-court prowess and off-court ventures.

Forbes’ assessment delineates Giannis’ estimated on-field earnings at $46 million, bolstered by an off-field income amounting to $65 million. This places him behind basketball luminary LeBron James, who clinched the fourth spot with earnings totaling $128.2 million.

In esteemed company, Giannis joins soccer maestro Lionel Messi, ranked third with earnings of $135 million, and golfer Jon Rahm, securing the second position with a substantial $218 million in income. Topping the list is soccer icon Cristiano Ronaldo, whose earnings soar to an estimated $260 million, primarily attributed to his $200 million annual salary with Al Nassr, a club in the Saudi Pro League.

Despite contending with a calf injury that curtailed his season with the Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis remains undeterred. Amidst a challenging campaign marked by a midseason coaching change and an early playoff exit for his team, Giannis continues to ascend off the court.

In January, he launched his production company, followed by a partnership with Pepsi’s Starry soft drink in February. Additionally, Giannis is poised to unveil his sixth signature sneaker with Nike later this year, further solidifying his burgeoning off-court endeavors.

A brief overview of Giannis’ background reveals his journey from Athens, born to Nigerian parents, to his initiation into basketball with the youth teams of Filathlitikos in his hometown. His transition to the NBA draft in 2013 saw the Milwaukee Bucks secure him as the 15th overall pick, setting the stage for his remarkable career trajectory.

Giannis’ on-court prowess has been duly recognized with eight All-Star selections, including captaining the All-Star team in 2019, 2020, 2023, and 2024, underscoring his immense popularity and influence within the basketball community. His career zenith was reached with back-to-back NBA Most Valuable Player Awards in 2019 and 2020, a distinction shared only with basketball luminaries Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James.

In a historic achievement, Giannis clinched the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in 2020, joining an elite cadre alongside Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon as the only players to achieve both MVP and Defensive Player of the Year accolades in a single season. His crowning moment came in 2021, leading the Bucks to their first NBA championship in five decades while securing the Finals MVP title.

Off the court, Giannis’ commercial acumen has been equally remarkable. Notably, he inked a monumental five-year, $228 million supermax extension with the Bucks in December 2020, supplemented by a subsequent three-year extension in October 2023. His on-court achievements have triggered substantial bonuses from sponsors such as Nike, further solidifying their partnership.

Nike’s endorsement of Giannis led to the groundbreaking release of the Zoom Freak 1 in 2019, marking the largest initial signature shoe launch in Nike basketball history. Moreover, Disney secured the rights to develop a film based on Antetokounmpo’s life, reminiscent of the acclaimed “The Blind Side.” The resulting film, titled “Rise,” premiered on Disney+ in June 2022, further highlighting Giannis’ widespread appeal beyond the basketball court.