20 High-Paid Athletes Who Never Won a Championship
Despite their immense talent and lucrative contracts, these 20 athletes have all come close to glory but never captured the ultimate championship, proving that even greatness doesn't always guarantee a ring.
- Alyana Aguja
- 6 min read
These 20 players are among the sport’s highest-paid, having amassed millions of dollars in their phenomenal talent and marketability. However, for all their individual brilliance and many accolades, they’ve all been confronted with the bitter truth of never having won a championship. Their careers are a reminder that greatness can be quantified in so many ways, but occasionally, the coveted title is just out of reach.
1. Charles Barkley (NBA)
Image from NBA
Barkley controlled the court with his ferocity and talent, winning an MVP award in 1993. Though he took the Phoenix Suns to the NBA Finals that season, he faced Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls and lost. His Hall of Fame career nonetheless left him one of the highest-paid players of his time.
2. Dan Marino (NFL)
Image from NFL.com
A clean-passing machine, Marino redid the record books with the Miami Dolphins and was among the most well-compensated quarterbacks of the era. He took the Dolphins to the Super Bowl in his second year (1984) but never returned. Despite not having a ring, his status as one of the greatest quarterbacks ever is unaffected.
3. Ken Griffey Jr. (MLB)
Image from Wikipedia
One of baseball’s most electrifying players, Griffey Jr. inked a gargantuan contract with the Cincinnati Reds following a legendary stint with the Mariners. Even with his 630 career home runs and several MVP-level seasons, he never made it to the World Series. Injuries and team fortunes kept him from ultimate glory, but his skills paid him millions.
4. Carmelo Anthony (NBA)
Image from Wikipedia
A highly productive scorer with a smooth jump shot, Carmelo Anthony collected over $260 million in salary alone. He had successful deep playoff runs with the Knicks and Nuggets but never made it to the NBA Finals. Without the ring, however, he is still one of the league’s highest-paid and most highly regarded forwards in history.
5. Barry Bonds (MLB)
Image from Britannica
Perhaps the best hitter of all time, Bonds broke records and signed some of baseball’s largest contracts. Though he led the San Francisco Giants to the 2002 World Series, they lost to the Angels. His reputation is clouded with steroid rumors, but financially, he was incredibly successful.
6. Allen Iverson (NBA)
Image from NBA
With his trademark crossovers and brash drives, Iverson was one of the biggest stars of his era. He led the 76ers to the 2001 NBA Finals but fell to the dominant Lakers. Though he lacked a championship, his financial and cultural influence was gigantic.
7. Philip Rivers (NFL)
Image from Wikipedia
Famous for his hotshot leadership and sidearm passes, Rivers was among the most steady quarterbacks of his generation. He signed huge deals with the Chargers but never suited up for a Super Bowl. Despite no championship, he is among the top-paid players in NFL history.
8. Patrick Ewing (NBA)
Image from NBA
Ewing was the public face of the New York Knicks for more than a decade, raking in a fortune in the process. He appeared in the NBA Finals twice (1994 and 1999) but lost both finals. Despite his failure to win a title, he is still among the highest-paid and most popular centers ever.
9. Mike Trout (MLB)
Image from Wikipedia
Trout has been the greatest player of his era and one of the highest-paid athletes ever, inking a $426 million deal with the Angels. Yet the team has not constructed a contender around him, and he has just one career playoff game. His greatness is not in dispute, but his championship drought is glaring.
10. Karl Malone (NBA)
Image from Britannica
“Mailman” brought points and paychecks but never a title, though he won two MVPs. His Utah Jazz squad lost consecutive NBA Finals (1997, 1998) to Jordan’s Bulls. Even a late-in-career stop with the Lakers (2004) couldn’t procure one for him.
11. Ted Williams (MLB)
Image from Wikipedia
One of the greatest hitters in baseball, Williams lost prime years serving in the military during World War II. Although he won several batting titles and MVPs, he never won a World Series with the Red Sox. His huge contracts for his era still made him among the highest-paid athletes.
12. Chris Paul (NBA)
Image from NBA
As a top-notch point guard with gifted passing ability, Paul has signed numerous nine-figure deals during his career. He finally made it to the 2021 NBA Finals with the Suns but lost to the Milwaukee Bucks. Despite his riches and awards, the championship still eludes him.
13. Ernie Banks (MLB)
Image from Wikipedia
Mr. Cub was a two-time MVP and arguably one of the greatest sluggers ever. He played his whole career with the Cubs, who never made it to the playoffs while he played. Though never getting a World Series ring, he was among the highest-paid players of his time.
14. Reggie Miller (NBA)
Image from NBA
A tough competitor and clutch shooter, Miller played his entire career with the Indiana Pacers. He took the Pacers to the NBA Finals in 2000 but lost to the Lakers. His longevity and broadcasting success have made him one of basketball’s richest men.
15. Adrian Peterson (NFL)
Image from Wikipedia
The premiere running back, Peterson earned several high-end contracts, including a $100 million agreement with the Vikings. Although he topped the league in rushing numerous times, he never reached a Super Bowl. Nonetheless, his own excellence still contributed to his becoming one of the wealthiest athletes in NFL history.
16. Steve Nash (NBA)
Image from GQ
A two-time MVP and one of the greatest point guards in history, Nash never even made it to the NBA Finals. His Suns teams were always great but came short because of injuries, suspensions, and poor fortune. His pay was enormous, however, as he signed several gigantic contracts.
17. Jim Kelly (NFL)
Image from NFL.com
Kelly guided the Buffalo Bills to four consecutive Super Bowls in the early ’90s but lost each one. Even in defeat, he was one of the highest-paid quarterbacks of his day. His toughness and determination still shape his legacy.
18. Russell Westbrook (NBA)
Image from NBA
Westbrook is as explosive a guard as there ever was, making more than $300 million in salary alone. He played in the 2012 NBA Finals with the Thunder but never came back. With his statistical reign, his championship aspiration is still unmet.
19. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (NASCAR)
Image from DaleJr.com
A son of a racing legend, Earnhardt Jr. was among NASCAR’s highest earners from endorsements and purses. Despite phenomenal popularity and multiple race victories, he never won a NASCAR Cup Series championship. His riches were, however, beyond question.
20. James Harden (NBA)
Image from NBA
A max contract signing machine and a past MVP, Harden signed numerous max deals totaling hundreds of millions. He led the Thunder to the 2012 NBA Finals but fell short in subsequent playoff series with Houston, Brooklyn, and Philadelphia. His fortune is through the roof, yet the title continues to deny him.