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Lifestyle | Sports
By Sarah Lim
Apr 30, 2025
Cover Table tennis players can be among the highest-paid athletes in the world (Photo: Dazzing zhang via Pexels)
Table tennis players can be among the highest-paid athletes in the world (Photo: Dazzing zhang via Pexels)
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Discover the world’s highest-paid athletes in niche sports—from esports and polo to bass fishing and table tennis—where players can turn passion into millions.
While billion-dollar deals in football, basketball and boxing dominate the headlines (yes, we see you, Manny Pacquiao), quieter fortunes are being made elsewhere. Across manicured polo fields, neon-lit esports arenas and glassy regatta waters, a new class of athlete is cashing in—handsomely. These aren’t the stadium-packing, primetime sports you’d expect, but niche fields where prestige, tradition and sharp commercial instincts meet.
Whether it’s a gamer winning millions in Seoul, a show jumper banking seven-figure prizes in Europe or a bass fisherman with a lucrative sponsorship empire, these athletes prove that in the right corner of the world, even a niche passion can be wildly profitable.
Also read: The world’s highest-paid athletes ranked
1. Polo
Above Polo (Photo: Najim Kurfi via Pexels)
Polo (Photo: Najim Kurfi via Pexels)
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Biggest prize money: Up to US$250,000 to US$300,000 for major tournaments like the U.S. Open Polo Championship
Why it pays: Private match fees, stud fees, and luxury brand sponsorships
Polo isn’t just “the sport of kings”—it’s a game of deep-pocketed patrons. At the highest levels, billionaires hire star players to compete on their behalf. Beyond the prize money, earnings come from team contracts, champion horse breeding, and brand partnerships with names like Cartier and Ralph Lauren. It’s less about fame, and more about insider access to the world’s wealthiest circles.
2. Esports
Above Esports (Photo: RDNE Stock project via Pexels)
Esports (Photo: RDNE Stock project via Pexels)
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Biggest prize money: The International 2019 (Dota 2) hit US$34.3 million total purse; winners bagged over US$15 million
Why it pays: Streaming deals, brand sponsorships, and ownership stakes can eclipse even massive prize checks
Esports has evolved into a billion-dollar industry—and one of the most lucrative for top players. Tournaments like The International and League of Legends Worlds offer staggering payouts, but real wealth comes from Twitch streams, YouTube content, and brand endorsements. Stars like Faker and N0tail have built empires, proving gaming is serious business.
3. Sailing (America’s Cup)
Above Sailing (Photo: Mike Knibbs via Pexels)
Sailing (Photo: Mike Knibbs via Pexels)
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Biggest prize money: Around US$1 million championship purse in SailGP, a spin-off from America's Cup
Why it pays: Salaried contracts, luxury sponsorships, and billionaire-backed teams
At the elite level, sailing is less about prize purses and more about patronage. Champions like Jimmy Spithill are backed by syndicates funded by billionaires and global brands. While SailGP sweetens the deal with actual prize money, the America’s Cup remains a career-defining event, opening doors to long-term endorsements and prestige.
4. Professional bass fishing
Above Bass fishing (Photo: cottonbro studio via Pexels)
Bass fishing (Photo: cottonbro studio via Pexels)
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Biggest prize money: The Major League Fishing’s Redcrest Championship offers US$300,000 for the winner
Why it pays: Gear sponsorships, branded merchandise, personal licensing deals
In the US, bass fishing is big business. Icons like Kevin VanDam earn more from sponsorships—boats, bait, branded gear—than tournament wins. Many launch their own product lines and outdoor TV shows, combining niche fame with national influence. Think Nascar, but on the water.
5. Show jumping
Above Show jumping (Photo: Kelian Pfleger via Pexels)
Show jumping (Photo: Kelian Pfleger via Pexels)
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Biggest prize money: Grand Prix events award up to €300,000 (US$320,000)
Why it pays: Horse ownership, sponsorships, and the elite equestrian circuit
Show jumping rewards both athleticism and animal investment. Top riders like Scott Brash don’t just win events—they breed and sell champion horses for millions. With brands like Rolex, Longines and Land Rover in the mix, the sport maintains its gilded image, blending business and equestrian elegance.
6. Snooker
Above Snooker (Photo: Tomaz Barcellos via Pexels)
Snooker (Photo: Tomaz Barcellos via Pexels)
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Biggest prize money: World Snooker Championship: £500,000 (US $630,000) to the winner.
Why it pays: Endorsements, exhibition matches, media appearances.
Massive in the UK and China, snooker’s top players—Ronnie O’Sullivan among them—enjoy strong fan bases and steady income beyond tournaments. High appearance fees and celebrity TV spots sustain their earning power, turning quiet concentration into commercial success.
7. Table tennis
Above Table tennis (Photo: Jenny K via Pexels)
Table tennis (Photo: Jenny K via Pexels)
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Biggest prize money: ITTF World Cup: around US$150,000 for the winner.
Why it pays: Corporate sponsorships, government rewards, luxury endorsements.
In China, table tennis players are national celebrities. Stars like Ma Long attract state-backed bonuses, luxury endorsements and even lifetime pensions. While global prize pools are modest, they often pale in comparison to national hero treatment and long-term benefits.
Also read: Roger Federer ranked by Forbes as World's Highest Paid Athlete of 2020
8. Surfing
Above Surfing (Photo: Pixabay via Pexels)
Surfing (Photo: Pixabay via Pexels)
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Biggest prize money: The World Surf League Championship Tour awards US$100,000 to US$150,000 per win
Why it pays: Endorsements from global brands and personal surfwear lines
Championships matter, but brand image is everything in surfing. Athletes like Gabriel Medina and Carissa Moore leverage their appeal for endorsement deals with brands like Rip Curl and Jeep. Their sun-soaked, aspirational lifestyles are bankable across both sport and social media.
9. MotoGP
Above MotoGP (Photo: Pixabay via Pexels)
MotoGP (Photo: Pixabay via Pexels)
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Biggest prize money: Relatively small per race; top salaries reach US$14 million/year
Why it pays: Salary contracts, endorsements, performance bonuses
Unlike Formula 1, MotoGP riders earn most through their contracts. Marc Márquez, for example, has one of the highest-paying deals in motorsport. Add to that endorsements from energy drinks, apparel and tech brands and the financial speedometer keeps climbing.
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