As an expert in the field of sports economics and a keen observer of the sports industry, I've been following the trends and figures that define the financial landscape of various sports. Determining the highest paying sport in the world is a complex task as it involves various factors such as individual athlete contracts, endorsement deals, and prize money from competitions. However, it is generally agreed upon that some sports tend to offer higher earning potential than others.

Soccer, often referred to as football outside of the United States, is widely considered one of the highest paying sports globally. The sport's global popularity and massive fan base translate into lucrative contracts for top players. Cristiano Ronaldo, for instance, is reported to earn around $93 million, which includes his salary and endorsements. Lionel Messi also makes a significant amount, approximately $80 million, highlighting the financial rewards at the top level of soccer.

Basketball, particularly the NBA in the United States, is another sport where athletes can earn substantial incomes. LeBron James, one of the most recognizable faces in the sport, earns around $86.2 million, which includes his salary and off-court endorsements. Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry are also among the highest paid, with earnings in the vicinity of $60.6 million and $47.3 million, respectively.

Tennis offers significant earning potential, especially for those who can consistently perform at the highest level. Roger Federer, one of the all-time greats in tennis, earns around $64 million, a testament to the sport's financial rewards.

American Football is another sport where top players can command high salaries. Andrew Luck, for example, is mentioned as earning $50 million, which underscores the earning potential in this sport.

Golf is a sport where athletes can earn substantial amounts through tournament winnings and endorsements. Rory McIlroy, a top golfer, is reported to earn $50 million.

It's important to note that while these figures provide a snapshot of the earnings of some of the highest-paid athletes, they do not necessarily reflect the average earnings of athletes in these sports. The disparity between the earnings of the top athletes and the rest can be quite significant. Additionally, the earning potential can vary greatly depending on the region, the athlete's marketability, and their ability to secure endorsement deals.

Furthermore, the concept of the highest paying sport can be subjective and may vary depending on the criteria used for evaluation. For some, it might be about the average salary of athletes in a sport, while for others, it could be about the total prize money available in a sport's competitions.

In conclusion, while it's challenging to definitively state which sport is the highest paying, the figures suggest that soccer, basketball, tennis, American football, and golf are among the sports where athletes have the potential to earn the most. However, these sports also require a high level of skill, dedication, and often a significant amount of luck to reach the top and command such high earnings.

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These are the 20 highest-paid athletes in the worldCristiano Ronaldo (soccer) -- $93 million.LeBron James (basketball) -- $86.2 million.Lionel Messi (soccer) -- $80 million.Roger Federer (tennis) -- $64 million.Kevin Durant (basketball) -- $60.6 million.Andrew Luck (football) -- $50 million.Rory McIlroy (golf) -- $50 million.Stephen Curry (basketball) -- $47.3 million.More items...read more >>