Jon Rahm, the reigning Masters champion and world number three golfer, has become the highest paid athlete in the world after signing a sensational deal to join LIV Golf. The Spaniard, who previously claimed he would never leave the PGA Tour, will reportedly earn a staggering £400 million through the deal, according to the Daily Mail UK.
This move marks a major coup for LIV Golf, the Saudi-backed breakaway tour that has been poaching top players from the PGA Tour with lucrative contracts. With Rahm’s signing, LIV Golf receives a significant boost to its legitimacy and its efforts to rival the established PGA Tour.
The announcement of Rahm’s move came as a surprise to many, as he had repeatedly stated his commitment to the PGA Tour. However, the sheer financial incentive of the LIV Golf offer proved too tempting to resist. Under the terms of the deal, Rahm will receive a guaranteed signing bonus and a percentage of LIV Golf’s future revenue.
Rahm’s decision is sure to have a significant impact on the world of golf. His defection to LIV Golf is likely to inspire other top players to follow suit, further escalating the rivalry between the two tours. Additionally, Rahm’s absence from the PGA Tour will undoubtedly diminish the prestige and viewership of its events.
We are still waiting to see how this saga will unfold and what the long-term implications will be for the sport of golf. However, one thing is certain: Jon Rahm’s move to LIV Golf has made him the highest-paid athlete in the world and has irrevocably changed the landscape of professional golf.
Top 10 Highest-paid Athletes
Here are the top 10 highest-paid athletes in the world as of December 8th, 2023, after Jon Rahm:
| ##Rank | Athlete | Sport | Total Earnings** |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jon Rahm | Golf | £400+ million |
| 2 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Soccer | $136 million |
| 3 | Lionel Messi | Soccer | $130 million |
| 4 | Kylian Mbappé | Soccer | $120 million |
| 5 | LeBron James | Basketball | $119.5 million |
| 6 | Canelo Álvarez | Boxing | $110 million |
| 7 | Dustin Johnson | Golf | $107 million |
| 8 | Phil Mickelson | Golf | $106 million |
| 9 | Stephen Curry | Basketball | $100.4 million |
| 10 | Roger Federer | Tennis | $95.1 million |