LEBRON James will earn almost an estimated $14million on Instagram, topping the list of predicted top earners on the social media platform in 2023.
The Los Angeles Lakers superstar’s estimated earnings are double what the next athlete on the list, Shaquille O’Neal, should earn through Instagram posts this year.
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James tops the list of predicted top Instagram earners, expected to make nearly $14million by the end of the yearCredit: Getty
Shaquille O’Neal comes second on the list with just a little under $7millionCredit: Getty
Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry is third with expected 2023 earnings of $4.7millionCredit: Getty
Tom Brady remains the highest-earning NFL star despite retiring from football and is expected to earn almost $420,000 for the yearCredit: Getty
The athletes with the highest earning power on Instagram are all current and former NBA players, according to research conducted by Betting.com.
James, 38, reportedly earns $380,501 per post, meaning he pockets more money from two sponsored posts on the platform than what the Lakers pay him per game in the 2022-23 NBA season.
Entering Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Golden State Warriors, the four-time NBA champion has made 62 appearances during the current campaign, including the playoffs.
With James’ owed $46.9million in 2022-23, that amounts to $756,451 per game — and the sum will lower with every game the four-time MVP plays this postseason.
The Lakers All-Star is estimated to have already earned $3.4million on Instagram and should rake in $13.7million before the end of the year, the study says.
O’Neal comes second on the list with the NBA legend-turned-TNT analyst expected to make $6.97million.
And Warriors star Steph Curry comes in third with estimated 2023 earnings of $4.67million — even though the guard earns $129,692 per post, an average second only to James’.
Dwyane Wade, Giannis Antentokounmpo, James Harden, Jimmy Butler, Damian Lillard, Michael Jordan, and Allen Iverson complete the top 10 Instagram earners among US athletes.
In the NFL, Tom Brady has the highest predicted earning power on Instagram despite retiring from football this year.
The seven-time Super Bowl champion pockets $34,988 per post and is expected to make $419,856 in 2023, according to the research.
Meanwhile, Bryce Young leads this year’s NFL draft class with an estimated earning power of $1,148 per post, ahead of CJ Stroud ($874) and Bijan Robinson ($834).
New York Yankees legend Alex Rodriguez comes in first among current and former MLB stars.
The three-time American League MVP earns almost $11,000 per post and is predicted to earn $130,572 thanks to sponsored Instagram posts.
TOP 10 US ATHLETES WITH THE HIGHEST ESTIMATED INSTAGRAM EARNINGS FOR 2023
- LeBron James – $13,698,036
- Shaquille O’Neal – $6,973,968
- Steph Curry – $4,668,912
- Dwyane Wade – $1,876,212
- Giannis Antetokounmpo – $1,664,388
- James Harden – $862,036
- Jimmy Butler – $748,080
- Damian Lillard – $714,854
- Michael Jordan – $621,108
- Allen Iverson – $537,264
