On Friday Forbes released its annual list of the highest-paid sports stars in the world. While Dallas sports had a few representatives, it also had a surprising omission, and a couple stars who formerly represented Dallas, as well.
The yearly list comprises athletes from eight different sports across 18 countries, though 29 of the 50 hail from the United States.
Starting with a true Dallasite, Highland Park’s Scottie Scheffler ranks at No. 16 on the list with total earnings of $84.6 million in 2025. The World’s No. 1 golfer is the No. 2 golfer on Forbes’ list, with LIV Golf’s Jon Rahm coming in at No. 7 on the list. Fellow LIV golfer and SMU product Bryson DeChambeau appears in a tie for 47th on the list with earnings of $55 million.
In the former Dallas star category, the top NFL representative on the list is none other than former Cowboy Micah Parsons, the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL in 2025. Parsons made $86.4 million last year according to Forbes, ranking two spots ahead of Patrick Mahomes at No. 15.
Former Mavericks star Luka Doncic comes in at No. 33 on the list at $60.9 million, though that doesn’t even get him in the top 10 among NBA players. He’s behind all the usual suspects (LeBron, Steph, Giannis…) but also a few smaller-market guys like Anthony Edwards and Devin Booker. He’s due for another pay bump next year, his second full season in LA, so he’ll likely hop up a few spots on next year’s list.
And if he hasn’t been mentioned by now, you might have already figured out the omission. Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott isn’t in the top 50 despite his No. 4 ranking on last year’s list and his $47 million salary in 2025. Eight QBs appear on Forbes’ list, but the Cowboys’ isn’t one of them. Like Doncic, he’s due for a pay bump next season, so perhaps he’ll reappear high up once again.
No. 1 on the list — for a fourth-straight year — is soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo, listed on Forbes as having earnings of up to $300 million in 2025.