The Dallas Cowboys are one of the most economically powerful teams not only in the NFL, but in the world of sports in general. This has been evidenced by the news that one of their players has surpassed Lionel Messi in terms of income over the last year.
Dak Prescott, quarterback for the Cowboys, has entered the exclusive Top 5 of the world’s highest-paid athletes, according to Forbes’ latest list for 2025. With total earnings of $137 million in the past year, Prescott has even surpassed the Argentine star, who earned $135 million
Prescott’s rise in this ranking is due in large part to the contract extension he signed before the 2024 NFL season: a four-year, $240 million deal that made him the highest-paid quarterback in the league on an annual average, at $60 million per season. In 2025, he will also have the largest salary impact in the league, estimated at $50.5 million
Dak Prescott, the quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, is one of the highest-paid players in the NFL. In 2021, he signed a four-year, $160 million contract extension with the Cowboys, which included a $66 million signing bonus and $126 million in guaranteed money.
Prescott’s average annual salary is $40 million, which makes him one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league. In 2023, he is expected to earn a base salary of $31 million and will count $49.13 million against the Cowboys’ salary cap
Of the $137 million that Prescott accumulated, $10 million came from endorsements and off-field business deals. Among his main partners are brands such as Jordan Brand, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Lowe’s.
This achievement is particularly impressive as Prescott was the only NFL player to make it into Forbes’ Top 10. The next quarterback on the list is Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns, who appears at No. 15 with $91.8 million in earnings and an estimated net worth of $60 million.
Throughout their careers, Prescott has generated approximately $248 million in revenue, while Watson has accumulated $188 million.
The 10 highest paid athletes
In the number one spot is the usual winner of these lists. With $275 million, the 40-year-old soccer player has once again taken the top spot for the third year in a row. Number two is Stephen Curry with $156 million, followed by Tyson Fury, the British boxer, while Dak Prescott and Leo Messi complete the top five.
- Cristiano Ronaldo – $275
- Stephen Curry – $156
- Tyson Fury – $146 million
- Dak Prescott – $127
- Lionel Messi – $135
- LeBron James – $133 million
- Juan Soto – $114
- Karim Benzema – $104 million
- Shohei Ohtani – $102
- Kevin Durant – $101
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