Jon Rahm's LIV Golf Contract Causes Major Shuffle On Forbes' List Of Highest-Paid Athletes

Jon Rahm was nowhere to be found on Forbes' annual list of the world's highest-paid athletes a year ago despite accumulating over $16.5 million in on-course earnings. Fast-forward to 2024, and not only is Rahm's name on the Forbes list, it comes in at No. 2.

This is, of course, due to the Spaniard's decision to leave the PGA Tour for LIV Golf back in December for a contract reportedly worth at least $300 million.

To compile its rankings, Forbes tracked income from May 1, 2023, to May 1, 2024. For LIV players, given that contract and signing bonus details are not made public, the outlet calculated figures players brought in after holding conversations with industry sources. These sources concluded that LIV golfers received half of their guarantees upfront with the remaining sum set to be paid throughout the duration of their contract.

The total earnings attached to Rahm is $218 million with $198 million of that coming from "on-the-field earnings." Rahm's name is sandwiched between Cristiano Ronaldo ($260 million in total earnings) and Lionel Messi ($135 million in total earnings). LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo round out the Top Five on the list.

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It's hard to fathom a golfer not named Tiger Woods as the player discussed in a conversation involving the richest and most high-profile professional athletes in the world, but LIV pays, and pays very, very well.

READ: Golf Channel Analyst Torches Jon Rahm, Says He Wants To Wring His Neck After His Comments About PGA Tour

Rahm was one of five golfers on the 2024 Forbes’ top-50 list, with Rory McIlroy coming in at 19th with $80.1 million total, Tiger Woods (23rd, $67.2 million), Scottie Scheffler (29th, $59.2 million) and LIV Golf's Cameron Smith (43rd, $48 million). 

Forbes' 2023 list had LIV players Dustin Johnson ranked sixth and Phil Mickelson just behind him at No. 7.

Rahm has yet to hoist a trophy since joining LIV Golf and has not had his best stuff in his two major championship appearances with a T-45 finish at the Masters and a missed cut at last week's PGA Championship.