Rumors

Cristiano Ronaldo has topped the Forbes list of highest-paid athletes for the third consecutive year, while NBA star Stephen Curry has moved up to second. The business magazine says Ronaldo, who has topped the list fives times during his career, has increased his estimated total earnings by $15m to $275m

BBC

Golden State Warriors guard Curry, who became the first NBA player to reach 4,000 career three-pointers in March, climbs up to second after earning $156m.

BBC

Patrick Bet-David: Cristiano Ronaldo has 647 million followers right now on Instagram. How big would it have been, if social media was around when you guys were playing… maybe Dennis Rodman would have had the most following. who knows? Scottie Pippen: It would have been different. Definitely looking at these numbers you don't know how being a player that played in the 90s, how these numbers come about and what they really mean, because we didn't grow up in this social media era. But definitely who you're talking about, Ronaldo is one of the greatest players, and greatest athletes in the world, and 647 million speaks for itself. Patrick Bet-David: So do you think Michael would have been there if social media was at that time? Scottie Pippen: I think he would have probably doubled that, I'm going to be honest.

YouTube

NBA legend Kevin Durant recently chimed in on the football GOAT debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Durant recently appeared on 'Impaulsive by Logan Paul' along with YouTuber IShowSpeed and discussed the Portuguese legend. The episode also featured 39-year-old bestselling author and host of the Night Shift, Majlak. The three guests discussed a range of issues before Majlak asked Kevin Durant (via talkSPORT): "Do you follow football, also known in America as Soccer?""Sometimes," Durant replied."Who would you say is the GOAT of football," pressed The Night Shift host. Kevin Durant pondered and answered: "Ronaldo."

SportsKeeda

Horford also investigated the approaches of other elite athletes, including Cristiano Ronaldo and LeBron James. If he found something that would benefit him, he pursued it. In his 20s, he reached out to Manu Ginóbili and Vince Carter — two NBA All-Stars who played into their 40s — for advice. “They all preach very similar things — treatment and staying after and being committed,” Horford said. “For me, honestly, I feel like a lot of guys my age try to do all those things as we understand the importance of it.”

New York Times

Since it opened with a lavish, $75-per-person party in 1979, the Holt Renfrew store on Bloor Street has been the place to go for those who like to dress to impress. It is a massive store. Four levels, a fancy chocolate shop inside, marble floors, hundreds of luxury designers and brands. Charmaine Gilgeous used to take her sons, Shai and Thomasi, there to window-shop, spending leisurely afternoons dreaming about the kind of life they might one day lead if they worked hard and let nothing get in the way of their goals. At the time, she was just thinking about guiding her boys to college and then steady jobs. But she didn't tamp down on any of the lofty dreams they had about being the next Kobe Bryant or Cristiano Ronaldo or Kevin Durant. So Gilgeous took them window-shopping Saturdays. It was their routine. Forty-five minutes each way on the subway.

ESPN

LeBron James has racked up a sparkling on-court resume since he entered the NBA in 2003 at 18 years old as “The Chosen One.” Highlights include being the league’s all-time leading scorer, 10 NBA finals trips, four NBA titles and All-NBA first team 13 times. Somehow, his off-the-court game might be even more staggering. James’ career earnings from salaries and endorsements will hit an estimated $1.4 billion by the end of this season, behind only Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and Cristiano Ronaldo among athletes all time. He’s built a deep roster of equity positions in companies and started a school in his hometown of Akron, Ohio. James should earn roughly $128 million this season, 25% more than any other NBA player.

Sportico

Somehow, his off-the-court game might be even more staggering. James’ career earnings from salaries and endorsements will hit an estimated $1.4 billion by the end of this season, behind only Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and Cristiano Ronaldo among athletes all time. He’s built a deep roster of equity positions in companies and started a school in his hometown of Akron, Ohio.

Sportico

French billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault is reportedly in “advanced discussions” to acquire a majority stake in Creative Artists Agency. Citing anonymous sources, Bloomberg reported late Thursday night that CAA could receive a valuation of more than $7 billion in the potential deal, though the report also stated that talks could end without a final agreement. Stacked with talent that includes MLB sensation Shohei Ohtani and soccer legend Cristiano Ronaldo, CAA has an estimated $17.8 billion in sports contracts between active players and non-playing clients like coaches.

Front Office Sports

Giannis Antetokounmpo: I was just sitting on my couch scrolling through For you page. Messi Ronaldo and Benzema.  If you’re looking for a goalie for next season, let me know. 😂😂😂

Twitter

Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar all earn higher playing salaries than any NBA star, but soccer can’t match the depth of big contracts in basketball. Those four are the only soccer players expected to make $30 million in base salary this season (bonuses will also push Erling Haaland over that mark). In the NBA, more than 40 players will earn at least $30 million this season. Off-court earnings estimates were compiled through conversations with those familiar with NBA endorsement deals. Also included are royalties from sneaker deals, as well as earnings from memorabilia, appearances, media and businesses tied to their celebrity. We exclude investment income unless it is connected to an endorsement agreement. The figures are all before taxes and any agent fees.

Sportico

Ergin Ataman: "Like Messi’s transfer to France, like Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer to different teams. We are doing everything we can to prevent this from happening. Our relations with Larkin as a club are very good. I think he likes the club and Istanbul very much, but ultimately the decision will be made by the player himself. As for Vasilije Micic’s situation, I think his contract has an NBA exit until July 20. Micic can’t play for any other club in Europe for 3 years, we signed the contract last season. He might consider it if he gets a big offer from the NBA. I think Micic enjoyed playing in Europe. The time will tell. Frankly, I think Micic will continue with us. I think he will be with us next season as well. There is not much we can do about it. I mean, he has a very good contract, but if there is a big offer from the NBA, we will try to fill his place. We want to continue with both players."

EuroHoops.net

JJ Redick: We had a very brief conversation when when we were teammates about European or overseas superstars versus American superstars. And I thought it was really interesting. And one of the, like the takeaways was the European superstars, a lot of them and we can talk about Giannis Antetokounmpo, you, Nikola Jokic for instance, it seems like they're a little more low maintenance than some other ones. And we can point to American superstars like Stephen Curry who are very low maintenance. But culturally, why do you think that is? Luka Doncic: I don't know. Are you talking only about basketball players? Because you know, there are European superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo... Redick: I was mostly speaking about basketball. Doncic: I mean, Jokic doesn't have Instagram or nothing. He's just a different guy. He loves his horses. I tried to convince him to create an Instagram account but he said, 'No, no chance, no chance'. I don't know the answer to that question. But now, with all these Instagrams, Twitters, TikToks, you can make a lot of money. And with the sponsorships, they want you to post things, it's just a different world than what it was.

Apple Podcasts

According to Liverpool Echo journalist Matt Addison, the said idea will definitely do all parties involved good and a project should be done sooner rather than later. Based on Addison’s assessment, through adverts starring Salah and James, it will just be a matter of time before Liverpool can “catch up in revenues” with its London rivals Manchester United, who has Cristiano Ronaldo on its squad. “There’s almost a bit of me that wonders if Liverpool have got enough out of him [Salah] commercially, marketability wise in all sorts of countries,” Addison said on the Liverpool.com podcast. “We talk so often about the Nike kit deal, one of the areas in which Liverpool can help them catch up in revenues with Manchester United. They could’ve made even more of Salah given the status he rightly holds.”

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