CCL Highest paid athletes 2024

Guard, BrownsAge: 32 (turns 33 on Oct. 11)Year entered league: 20142024 cash: $16 millionContract: Three years, $48 million (2023-25)Here’s the deal: One of the most beloved players in new Browns history is entering the twilight of his career, but he continues to perform at a high level, earning his sixth Pro Bowl bid in 2023.

See the next athlete

The 10 highest-paid athletes in Cleveland

10 9 8 7 5 5 4 3 2 1

Joel Bitonio

Guard, Cavaliers Age: 30Year entered league: 20162024 cash: $16,615,384 Contract: Two years, $32 million (2023-25)Here’s the deal: LeVert averaged 14 points, five assists and four rebounds off the bench last season before missing the Cavs’ final playoff game with a bone bruise in his knee. The fact that he’s ninth on this list should inspire everyone on earth to put a basketball in their bassinet.

Caris LeVert

Guard, Cavaliers Age: 28 Year entered league: 20172024 cash: $33,162,030 Contract: Five years, $163,000,300 (2021-26)Here’s the deal: Mitchell’s salary is a relative bargain (by NBA standards), ranking just 38th among NBA players, but it jumps to $46 million next year thanks to the three-year, $150 million extension he signed this summer.

Donovan Mitchell Jr.

Defensive end, Browns Age: 28Year entered league: 20172024 cash: $17,250,000Contract: Five years, $125 million (2022-26)Here’s the deal: Garrett became the NFL’s highest-paid defensive player when he signed the extension in 2020, but the reigning Defensive Player of the Year now ranks seventh in average salary among NFL defenders.

Myles Garrett

Center, Cavaliers Age: 26Year entered league: 20172024 cash: $20 millionContract: Five years, $100 million (2021-26)Here’s the deal: Allen posted career-highs in points (16.5) and assists (2.7) last season, earning a three-year, $90 million extension that kicks in with the 2026-27 season. Question is, will he make that cash with the Cavs or get traded first?

Jarrett Allen

Wide receiver, Browns Age: 30Year entered league: 20152024 cash: $20 million Contract: Five years, $100 million (2020-24)Here’s the deal: Cooper had a career-high 1,250 receiving yards last season and earned a contract restructure this summer that guaranteed all of his $20 million salary with the chance to earn an extra $5 million in incentives. But he’s off to a rocky start in 2024 and could soon be on the trading block.

Amari Cooper

Wide receiver, Browns Age: 25Year entered league: 20202024 cash: $19 million Contract: Three years, $52.5 million (2025-2027)Here’s the deal: After trading for Jeudy in March, the Browns signed him to a three-year extension with $41 million guaranteed, although only $28 million was newly guaranteed money because the Broncos had already guaranteed his fifth year option ($12.98 million).

Jerry Jeudy

Third baseman, Guardians Age: 32Year entered league: 20132024 cash: $17 million Contract: Seven years, $141 million (2021-28)Here’s the deal: Ramirez is the best bargain on this list, and maybe the best bargain in baseball. After signing a below-market extension in 2022, he’s continued to produce on the field, making his sixth All-Star appearance in July and finishing one homer short of a 40-40 season.

Jose Ramirez

Quarterback, Browns Age: 29Year entered league: 20172024 cash: $46 million Contract: Five years, $230 million (2022-26)Here’s the deal: The good news? While Watson’s contract still has the most guaranteed money in NFL history, his annual salary ranks just 11th among league quarterbacks. The bad news? Thanks to multiple restructures, his cap number is $73 million in both 2025 and 2026.

Deshaun Watson

Guard, Cavaliers Age: 24Year entered league: 20192024 cash: $36,725,670Contract: Five years, $197,230,450 (2023-28)Here’s the deal: Garland ranks second on this list for the second straight year, but his annual salary ranks just 28th among NBA players. He’s an awkward fit next to Donovan Mitchell, so it remains to be seen whether he’ll finish this contract in Cleveland.

Darius Garland