fact check central
Read, search and fact-check stories and news from across the web
Browse and read the latest fact-checked news, or fact-check any type of story yourself, thanks to our advanced AI algorithm.
A project by Ai For Everyone- Making the world better with A.I.
This news has been fact-checked
On Forbes' 2025 list of the world's highest-earning athletes, ten athletes each surpassed $101 million in total earnings, highlighting a remarkable year for sports superstars across various disciplines. Leading the pack is Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese soccer icon, who topped the list with earnings of $260 million, blending his on-field salary and lucrative endorsement deals that keep him at the pinnacle of global sports income.
Joining Ronaldo among the elite are three NBA stars who have not only excelled in basketball but have significantly expanded their financial portfolios through endorsements and business ventures. Stephen Curry stands out by dominating the NBA with notable achievements like making 357 three-pointers and winning an Olympic gold medal. He also secured a lifetime deal with Under Armour and invested in a new professional women’s 3-on-3 basketball league, reflecting his growing influence beyond the court.
LeBron James, another NBA legend, continues to maintain his high earnings with $128.2 million, combining his salary from the Los Angeles Lakers and numerous endorsements. These stars represent the growing trend of athletes leveraging their brands into substantial off-court revenues.
From the NFL, quarterback Lamar Jackson ranks among the top ten, crossing the $100 million mark thanks to a record-breaking contract with the Baltimore Ravens and strategic commercial partnerships, including deals with Oakley and his own fashion brand.
This list also features other prominent athletes like golfer Jon Rahm and soccer legend Lionel Messi, underscoring the diverse range of sports generating massive earnings. The convergence of athletic achievement, endorsements, and business savvy defines this new era of athlete wealth, with the top earners blending elite performance and powerful personal brands to break financial records.
Our advanced AI algorithms browsed the web to verify the authenticity of "Top Athletes Rake in Hundreds of Millions: The Highest Paid Sports Stars of 2025". Below is an accurate report.
✅ Yes, the content seems to be true and authentic, as reported by several sources.
These, include:
1. https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/top-10-listing/top-10-highest-paid-athletes-in-the-world-2025-9988807/ - (Trust Score 8/10)
- The Indian Express lists Cristiano Ronaldo as the highest-paid athlete with $260 million, followed by Jon Rahm and others.
2. https://worldostats.com/global-stats/highest-paid-athletes/ - (Trust Score 6/10)
- World's Highest Paid Athletes in 2025 confirms Cristiano Ronaldo at the top with $260 million, also mentioning Jon Rahm and other athletes.
3. https://www.investopedia.com/highest-paid-athletes-8770167 - (Trust Score 7/10)
- Investopedia lists Cristiano Ronaldo as the highest-paid athlete with an estimated total of $285 million, including both on-field and off-field earnings.
Following the Golden State Warriors' Game 5 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Inside the NBA crew engaged in a spirited debate over whether the Warriors could have overcome the Timberwolves if Stephen Curry had not been sidelined by injury. The discussion was sparked by Curry’s strained left hamstring, which he suffered early in the series and which proved to be a critical turning point. The injury forced Curry to miss the last four games, all of which the Warriors lost, ultimately ending their 2024-25 playoff run with a 121-110 defeat in Game 5. This injury dramatically altered the trajectory of the series, as Curry’s presence on the court is pivotal to the Warriors’ offensive spacing and scoring efficiency. Charles Barkley, known for his candid and blunt opinions, gave a decisive answer without hesitation during the discussion: he believed the Warriors would not have beaten the Timberwolves even if Curry had been healthy. Barkley’s perspective reflects the formidable challenge posed by Minnesota and the Warriors' inconsistent form throughout the season. Despite the team’s strong start and mid-season turnaround, injuries and performance slumps led to a roller-coaster season that ultimately fell short in the playoffs. The Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr and players acknowledged the harsh reality post-game, knowing Curry’s injury was a significant blow that they could not surmount. While Curry was making progress in his recovery and had even been cleared for light shooting drills, the injury’s impact was undeniable. The series highlighted how crucial Curry is to the Warriors' success and how his absence created insurmountable difficulties against a hungry Timberwolves squad[1][2][3].
The NFL’s schedule makers saw a significant opportunity to elevate their prime broadcast windows into the ratings stratosphere for the 2025 season by carefully crafting the schedule around marquee matchups and strategically placing games in the most-watched time slots. The league released a schedule featuring 21 Sunday Night Football games across the 18-week campaign, with NBC and Peacock hosting these prime-time events, including special broadcasts like the season opener with the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles against the Dallas Cowboys. These matchups aim to capture viewers' attention early and maintain high interest throughout the season. CBS, as the primary home of AFC games, secured over 100 regular-season games and boasts the most Sunday NFL games on television. They focused on the highly coveted 4:25 PM ET national game window, known as the most-watched window in all of television, with approximately 25 million viewers. CBS's schedule is highlighted by standout games such as Chiefs-Bills and Lions-Packers, aiming to maximize viewership in this peak period. FOX Sports also enhanced its broadcast portfolio by securing two new exclusive NFL broadcast windows, featuring a strong NFC roster combined with an increased presence of key AFC teams. This approach ensures that fans of both conferences have compelling games throughout the season, boosting overall ratings. By aligning top teams, star quarterbacks, and rivalry games in the most attractive time slots, the NFL’s schedule makers strategically pushed their big broadcast windows to dominate ratings, capitalizing on fan interest and maximizing TV audience engagement over the course of the 2025 season. <br /> <br />
For years, the Dallas Cowboys have been a staple of FOX's "America's Game of the Week," frequently appearing in the 4:25 p.m. ET slot. However, in the 2025 NFL schedule, the network sought to introduce more variety into their lineup. This shift is evident as the Cowboys will still be featured prominently, but not as exclusively as in previous seasons. They are set to appear in at least eight nationally televised games, including six primetime matches, but not all of these will be in the traditional Sunday afternoon slot. The Cowboys' schedule includes challenging matchups against teams that made the playoffs in 2024, such as the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, and Green Bay Packers. Their season opener is against the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles, and they will also face the Chiefs on Thanksgiving Day. This variety of opponents and game times reflects the network's desire to offer a broader range of games to viewers, while still recognizing the Cowboys' popularity and appeal. The inclusion of more teams and varying game times should enhance the viewing experience for fans by providing a mix of high-profile matchups and strategic scheduling. This approach aims to keep the NFL exciting throughout the season, rather than relying solely on familiar fixtures like the Cowboys in the 4:25 p.m. slot. As the NFL continues to evolve, such changes help maintain the league's broad appeal to fans. <br /> <br /> By featuring a diverse range of games and teams, FOX aims to capture the attention of a wider audience, capitalizing on the growing interest in the NFL. The Cowboys' continued presence in primetime games ensures that their large fan base remains engaged, while the variety in scheduling caters to a broader demographic. This strategic approach to game scheduling reflects the NFL's ongoing efforts to adapt and thrive in a competitive sports landscape.
The NFL has structured its schedule release for the 2025 season in a way that builds anticipation and excitement among fans. On Tuesday, the league unveiled the slate of international games, giving fans a glimpse into some of the unique matchups that will take place outside of the United States. This international game slate is part of the broader schedule that includes a variety of compelling matchups, both domestic and abroad. On Wednesday, the NFL will reveal the remainder of the 272 regular season games, providing fans with a complete picture of the upcoming season. The official release is set for 8 p.m. ET, and it will be broadcast live on NFL Network and streamed on NFL+, requiring a subscription for access. The full schedule release is highly anticipated, as it will confirm start dates, times, and opponents for all NFL teams. This includes the season opener, which will feature the Philadelphia Eagles hosting the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, September 4th, at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC. The comprehensive schedule will allow fans to plan their viewing and attendance for the entire season, from September to December, and will include a mix of divisional rivalries, interconference matchups, and other exciting games. The schedule release is a significant event for football fans, marking the beginning of the countdown to the new season. With the full schedule in hand, fans can start looking forward to their favorite teams' matchups and plan accordingly. This release is part of the broader build-up to the new season, which includes various media events and promotions designed to generate excitement among fans. <br /> <br /> Overall, the NFL's schedule release is a strategic move to build anticipation and engagement among fans. By gradually revealing different parts of the schedule, the league creates a sense of intrigue and excitement that culminates in the full release. This approach allows fans to slowly absorb the information and start making plans for the upcoming season. As the season opener approaches, the anticipation will continue to build, setting the stage for a thrilling NFL season.
Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers saw their remarkable 2024-25 season come to an abrupt end Tuesday night, as they fell to the Indiana Pacers 114-105 at home in Game 5, losing the series 4-1. Despite building a commanding 19-point lead early in the second quarter, the Cavaliers were unable to hold on as the Pacers rallied back, overtaking them by the third quarter and maintaining control until the final buzzer. Mitchell had a strong individual performance with 35 points, nine rebounds, four steals, and one block, though his shooting was inefficient as he made only 8 of 25 field goals and 4 of 13 from three-point range. Evan Mobley was the only other Cavalier to significantly support the offense, contributing 24 points. Unfortunately, other key shooters like Max Strus and Darius Garland struggled, both going 0-for-6 from beyond the arc. The team as a whole shot a poor 25.7% from three-point range, which was a critical factor in their inability to secure the win. The Pacers, led by Tyrese Haliburton’s 31 points, showed depth and consistency as all five starters scored in double digits. This loss puts a premature end to what was a historic season for the Cavaliers, who clinched the No. 1 seed for the first time since 2015-16 and had previously dominated the Miami Heat in the playoffs with a record margin of 122 points. After the game, Mitchell delivered a candid statement acknowledging the disappointment: "We let the city down, we let each other down but we'll be back." The season, while promising on paper, falls short of expectations as the team failed to advance past the second round, marking a tough reality for the young Cavaliers squad aiming for greater postseason success.