Sporting News’ February 12, 2026 ranking puts freestyle skier Eileen Gu first among the 10 athletes it associates with the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, with estimated earnings of $23.1 million. The figures are media estimates, not audited disclosures, and they do not all use the same income measure or reporting period.
Sporting News’ 10 highest-paid athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics
The table follows Sporting News’ order and figures. Where the publisher specifies a salary or calls a figure estimated, that qualification is retained. Its ranking does not provide a consistent measurement period for all ten entries, so a common period is marked “not stated” rather than inferred.
| Rank | Athlete | Sport | Country or team | Sporting News figure | Measure stated | Measurement period |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eileen Gu | Freestyle skiing | China | $23.1 million | Earnings figure; measure not further specified | Not stated by Sporting News |
| 2 | Auston Matthews | Ice hockey | Not stated in the ranking | $15.2 million | Salary | Not stated by Sporting News |
| 3 | Lindsey Vonn | Alpine skiing | Not stated in the ranking | $8 million | Earnings figure; measure not further specified | Not stated by Sporting News |
| 4 | Mikaela Shiffrin | Alpine skiing | Not stated in the ranking | $7 million | Earnings figure; measure not further specified | Not stated by Sporting News |
| 5 | Chloe Kim | Snowboarding | Not stated in the ranking | $4 million | Earnings figure; measure not further specified | Not stated by Sporting News |
| 6 | Scotty James | Snowboarding | Not stated in the ranking | $3 million | Earnings figure; measure not further specified | Not stated by Sporting News |
| 7 | Mark McMorris | Snowboarding | Not stated in the ranking | Estimated $2 million | Estimated earnings figure | Not stated by Sporting News |
| 8 | Jutta Leerdam | Speed skating | Not stated in the ranking | Estimated $1.5 million | Estimated earnings figure | Not stated by Sporting News |
| 9 | Hilary Knight | Ice hockey | Not stated in the ranking | $1 million | Earnings figure; measure not further specified | Not stated by Sporting News |
| 10 | Ilia Malinin | Figure skating | Not stated in the ranking | $700,000 | Earnings figure; measure not further specified | Not stated by Sporting News |
Source for the ranking and figures: Sporting News, February 12, 2026. The list identifies Gu as China’s representative. “Freestyle skiing” is used here because Forbes identifies her discipline that way; Sporting News inconsistently labels her sport elsewhere in its entry.
What the earnings figures include—and why they are not perfectly comparable
Forbes’ 2026 feature estimates athlete earnings using on-field income—such as salaries, bonuses and prize money—and off-field income, including endorsements, licensing, appearances and memorabilia. It also includes cash returns from businesses in which an athlete has a significant interest, including payouts from equity stakes sold. It excludes investment income such as interest and dividends and does not deduct taxes or agents’ fees. Forbes says estimates above $1 million are rounded to the nearest million and estimates below $1 million to the nearest $100,000.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors#1 Best Overall
- OTG (Over-The-Glasses) Design: Ski goggles that fits over glasses. Suitable for both adults and youth
- Anti-Fog Lens and Excellent Optical Clarity: Dual-layer lens technology with anti-fog coated inner lens gives you a fog-free ski experience
- Safe and Reliable With Uv Protection: Soft TPU frame with lenses that provide 100% UV400 protection and years of reliable use
- Universal Helmet Compatibility: Extra long elastic strap ensures great helmet compatibility with all helmets. Suitable for both adults and teens
- What You Get: 1 x OutdoorMaster OTG ski goggles, 1 x carrying pouch, and our friendly customer service
Those rules describe Forbes’ estimates, not a verified methodology for every number in Sporting News’ expanded ten-athlete ranking. Sporting News does not give a shared measurement window for every entry. Forbes says its estimates for freestyle skiing, alpine skiing, snowboarding and figure skating reflect the prior 12 months; hockey figures use the 2025–26 NHL league year.
Why Matthews’ two published figures differ
Sporting News lists Auston Matthews at $15.2 million and calls that amount salary. Forbes’ 2026 estimate is $20 million in total, including an estimated $5 million earned off the ice. These figures describe different scopes, so they should not be treated as competing estimates of the same income category.
Rank #2
- OTG (Over-The-Glasses) Design: Ski goggles that fits over glasses. Suitable for both adults and youth
- Anti-Fog Lens and Excellent Optical Clarity: Dual-layer lens technology with anti-fog coated inner lens gives you a fog-free ski experience
- Safe and Reliable With Uv Protection: Soft TPU frame with lenses that provide 100% UV400 protection and years of reliable use
- Universal Helmet Compatibility: Extra long elastic strap ensures great helmet compatibility with all helmets. Suitable for both adults and teens
- What You Get: 1 x OutdoorMaster OTG ski goggles, 1 x carrying pouch, and our friendly customer service pouch
How Forbes’ figures compare for other names
Forbes’ February 8, 2026 feature estimates Gu’s off-slope earnings at $23 million over the prior 12 months, plus around $100,000 in prize money. Sporting News lists her at $23.1 million; the rounded Forbes estimate and separate prize-money figure are not necessarily an exact apples-to-apples match. Forbes also gives estimates of $8 million for Vonn, $7 million annually for Shiffrin and $4 million for Kim.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why this is a Sporting News top ten, not a Forbes top ten
Sporting News provides the ten-name ranking above. Forbes’ own 2026 feature names the highest-paid athlete from five selected sports; it does not publish a comprehensive, cross-sport top-ten table for all Winter Olympic athletes. Forbes identifies Gu as the top earner in its coverage, but that narrower feature should not be presented as the source of Sporting News’ full ranking. Forbes Italia republishes the selected-sports feature and corroborates that scope.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Rank #3
- Spherical Dual REVO Lenses: The professional adult ski goggles design as Frameless. The lens of the ski goggles is very clear. The Winter Sports Goggles would take you wide and clean vision, you can see the beautiful snow scene without blocking your view when you are snowboarding downhill. The full REVO coating makes it much more cool and scratch proof.
- Anti-fog System: The Snowboarding Goggles is made of dual lenses and all lenses anti fog coating. The Vents supply a excellent vent channels enhance air flowing and prevent fogging.
- OTG Ski Goggles: The OVER GLASSES SKI GOGGLES are also friendly to the myopia skiing or snowboarding players. The Three layer foam to keep warm and sweat absorbing. Enjoying the winter sports with EXPVISION Goggles.
- Universal Compatibility Ski Goggle For Helmet: Fast adjustable elastic strap can be suitalbe for all size helmet. The soft arc shaped foam of snow goggles is for maximum facial comfort.
- Warranty For No Risk: EXPVISION offers a whole day service. Please contact us when you have any problem in purchasing or using. The most satisfactory response will be provided accurately.
Forbes describes Gu as an American-born freestyle skier representing China in international competition. Its feature quotes her from an interview with Time: “The U.S. already has the representation. I like building my own pond.”
Quick Recap
Best Value
- OTG (Over-The-Glasses) Design: Ski goggles that fits over glasses. Suitable for both adults and youth
- Anti-Fog Lens and Excellent Optical Clarity: Dual-layer lens technology with anti-fog coated inner lens gives you a fog-free ski experience
- Safe and Reliable With Uv Protection: Soft TPU frame with lenses that provide 100% UV400 protection and years of reliable use
- Universal Helmet Compatibility: Extra long elastic strap ensures great helmet compatibility with all helmets. Suitable for both adults and teens
- What You Get: 1 x OutdoorMaster OTG ski goggles, 1 x carrying pouch, and our friendly customer service
Rank #4
- Compatible with Most People: Bring COOLOO Ski Goggles out with your Family and Friends for outdoor sports! They fit men, women, teens and youth. Extra long elastic strap ensures great helmet compatibility with all helmets.
- Performance Snow Goggles: With circular holes are distributed around them to provide maximum airflow in the goggles, which can prevent fog to a certain extent. Tinted lenses offer UV400 protection against UV rays, while clear lenses ensure optimal visibility on cloudy days.
- Safe and Comfortable: The flexible ABS frame and impact-resistant PC lenses protect against sun, wind, and snow. The snowboard goggles are lightweight, multi-layer sponge lining provides warmth and comfort for you and your loved ones.
- Multi Scene Use: Ideal for snowboarding, skiing, skating, mountaineering, and also for motorcycle, mountain biking, parachuting, bungee jumping, tactical fields, lab experiments, and construction sites. Protects against wind, dust, cold, snow, and sunlight.
- Customer-oriented Service: After purchasing the product, you will get, ski goggles x 2, handbag x 1, easy to carry. COOLOO provides each customer who purchases our products warranty and quick response and friendly customer service.
How to interpret the ranking
- It is an estimate-based media list. The sources do not establish audited earnings or a comprehensive official financial disclosure for every athlete.
- Income categories vary. Sporting News explicitly labels Matthews’ entry salary, while Forbes’ methodology includes several kinds of on- and off-field income.
- Reporting periods vary. Forbes’ windows differ by sport, and Sporting News does not state a common period for its ten figures.
- Rounded figures are not exact pay statements. Forbes uses rounding rules, and published estimates should not be mistaken for athletes’ take-home pay after taxes, fees or expenses.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
