Skier at Winter Olympics (Photo via Imagn Images)

Forbes Reveals The Highest Paid Athlete At The 2026 Winter Olympics, And Shockingly, It’s Not An NHL Star

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Swati Bhatia | Last updated Feb 11, 2026 12:25 PM ET

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan are finally here, and for hockey fans, this year feels different. For the first time since 2014, NHL players are back on the Olympic stage. That means global superstars are not just competing for gold, but also bringing serious star power and big money.

While the Winter Olympics feature elite athletes from skiing, snowboarding, figure skating, and more, hockey once again sits at the center of attention. NHL contracts are among the richest in winter sports, and several hockey players rank among the highest-paid athletes competing in Italy this year.

However, shockingly, the highest-paid athlete at the ongoing Olympics is not a hockey player. Forbes released its list of the highest-paid athletes participating in the Games on Tuesday, and while many expected it to be Team USA captain Auston Matthews, it turned out to be a non-hockey star.

Who Is The Highest Paid Athlete At The 2026 Winter Olympics?

Eileen Gu, a US-born freestyle skier now representing China, is the highest-paid athlete competing at the Milan Olympics. Gu reportedly earned a staggering $23 million last year, with a majority coming from endorsement deals with multiple Chinese brands, including Anta, Bosideng, and others.

Veteran forward Matthews, meanwhile, ranks second on the list, earning $15 million this season from the Maple Leafs along with an additional $5 million in endorsements. The Toronto Maple Leafs star has several lucrative endorsement deals, including Mito Red Light, and has partnered with major brands such as Nike, Prime Sports Drinks, and Uber Eats.

Meanwhile, Matthews’ teammate, William Nylander, is the seventh-highest-paid NHL player at the Olympics, earning $13.5 million this season.