Tua Tops the 2024 List of Hawai‘i’s Best-Paid Athletes
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner will both make more than $20 million this year.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will earn a salary of more than $23.1 million during the 2024 season in the fifth and final year of his contract with the Miami Dolphins. But the two sides are discussing a new deal that could pay him more than twice as much a year.
Team leaders have said they are committed to him for the long haul, but the two sides (as of press time) have yet to reach agreement. Tagovailoa has said he expects to be paid his market value, which likely means something comparable to the four-year, $212-million contract recently signed by the Detroit Lions’ QB Jared Goff.
Even if a new deal is not reached, Tagovailoa still tops Hawaii Business Magazine’s 2024 list of Hawai‘i’s highest-paid professional athletes – and he will earn the highest annual salary ever for a Hawai‘i athlete.
As a reminder that the window of opportunity for even top athletes is brief, consider Kolten Wong. The former UH baseball standout and two-time Gold Glove winner, who turns 34 on Oct. 10, ranked third on our 2023 survey of Hawai‘i athletes with a salary of $10 million. Today, Wong is out of the major leagues.
Here is our list of athletes with Hawai‘i ties and their 2024 salaries. We list their hometowns and schools if they are in Hawai‘i. Our primary source is Spotrac.com, a website that tracks the contracts of athletes in the major professional sports leagues.
1. Tua Tagovailoa
Quarterback, Miami Dolphins
‘Ewa Beach, Saint Louis School
2024 Salary: $23,171,000
Details: Team exercised fifth-year option on his rookie contract signed in 2020.
2. Deforest Buckner
Defensive Tackle, Indianapolis Colts
Wai‘anae, Punahou School
2024 Salary: $20.25 million*
Details: Part of a four-year, $84-million contract signed in 2021. In April 2024, he signed a two-year extension totaling $46 million
*Includes an $18-million signing bonus
3. Isaac Suemalo
Guard, Pittsburgh Steelers
Born in Honolulu
2024 Salary: $7,875,000
Details: Three-year contract (2023-2025): $24 million
4. Isiah Kiner-Falefa
Shortstop, Toronto Blue Jays
Honolulu, Mid-Pacific Institute
2024 Salary: $7.5 MILLION
Details: Two-year contract (2024-2025): $15 million
5. Ka‘imi Fairbairn
Placekicker, Houston Texans
Kailua, Punahou School
2024 Salary: $6.33 million*
Details: Three-year contract (2024-2026): $15.9 million
*Includes $4.3-million signing bonus
6. Marcus Mariota
Quarterback, Washington Commanders
Honolulu, Saint Louis School
2024 Salary: $6 million*
Details: One-year contract
*Includes a $3-million signing bonus
7. Alohi Gilman
Safety, Los Angeles Chargers
Lā‘ie, Kahuku H.S.
2024 Salary: $5,625,000*
Details: Two-year contract (2024-2025): $10,125,000
*Includes a $4.5-million signing bonus
8. Kirby Yates
Relief Pitcher, Texas Rangers
Līhu‘e, Kaua‘i H.S.
2024 Salary: $4.5 million
Details: One-year contract
9. Nate Herbig
Guard, Pittsburgh Steelers
Līhu‘e, Saint Louis School
2024 Salary: $4 million
Details: Two-year contract (2023-2024): $8 million
10. Josh Rojas
Third Baseman, Seattle Mariners
UH
2024 Salary: $3.1 million
Details: One-year contract
11. Jahlani Tavai
Linebacker, New England Patriots
UH
2024 Salary: $2,875,000*
Details: Three-year contract (2022-2024): $4.4 million
*Includes a $510,000 roster bonus, $100,000 workout bonus and $1-million incentives bonus
12. Jamin Davis
Linebacker, Washington Commanders
Born in Honolulu
2024 Salary: $2,541,024
Details: Four-year contract (2021-2024): $13,794,176
13. Rigoberto Sanchez
Punter, Indianapolis Colts
UH
2024 Salary: $2.5 million*
Details: Three-year contract (2024-2026): $7.5 million
*Includes $1.25-million roster bonus
14. Roman Wilson
Wide Receiver, Pittsburgh Steelers
Kīhei, Saint Louis School
2024 Salary: $1,793,304*
Details: Four-year contract (2024-2027): $5,745,168
*Includes a $998,304 signing bonus
15. Marist Liufau
Linebacker, Dallas Cowboys
Honolulu, Punahou School
2024 Salary: $1,754,284*
Details: Four-year contract (2024-2027): $5,691,514
*Includes a $959,284 signing bonus
16. Kamu Grugier-Hill
Linebacker, Minnesota Vikings
Honolulu, Kamehameha Schools Kapālama
2024 Salary: $1,377,500*
Details: One-year contract
*Includes $142,500 signing bonus
17. Netane Muti
Guard, Detroit Lions
Leilehua H.S.
2024 Salary: $1,055,000
Details: One-year contract
18. Breiden Fehoko
Defensive Tackle, Pittsburgh Steelers
Honolulu, Farrington H.S.
2024 Salary: $1,055,000
Details: One-year contract
19. Darius Muasau
Linebacker, New York Giants
Mililani H.S., UH
2024 Salary: $995,912*
Details: Four-year contract (2024-2027): $4,220,912
*Includes a $200,912 signing bonus
20. Bradlee Anae
Defensive End, Atlanta Falcons
Lā‘ie, Kahuku H.S.
2024 Salary: $985,000
Details: One-year contract
21. Nick Herbig
Linebacker, Pittsburgh Steelers
Kalaheo (Kaua‘i), Saint Louis School
2024 Salary: $915,000
Details: Four-year contract (2023-2026): $4,512,920
22. Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu
Tackle, Baltimore Ravens
Kea‘au H.S.
2024 Salary: $915,000
Details: Four-year contract (2023-2026) $4,013,192
23. Andrei Iosivas
Wide Receiver, Cincinnati Bengals
Honolulu, Punahou School
2024 Salary: $915,000
Details: Four-year contract (2023-2026): $3,999,384
24. Kana‘i Mauga
Linebacker, Las Vegas Raiders
Wai‘anae, Wai‘anae H.S.
2024 Salary: $915,000
Details: One-year contract
25. Jonah Laulu
Defensive Tackle, Indianapolis Colts
UH
2024 Salary: $899,520*
Details: Four-year contract (2024-2027): $4,124,520
*Includes a $104,520 signing bonus
26. Jordan Murray
Tight End, Indianapolis Colts
UH
2024 Salary: $795,000
Details: One-year contract
27. Cade Smith
Pitcher, Cleveland Guardians
UH
2024 Salary: $740,000
Details: One-year contract
United Football League
In late 2023, the United States Football League and XFL merged to form the United Football League. Co-owned by one-time Hawai‘i resident Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (McKinley H.S.), the eight-team league debuted in March 2024, with each team playing 10 regular-season games and the top four teams advancing to the playoffs.
While the UFL does not release individual player salaries, the stated goal is to pay players equally, regardless of position. Minimum salaries are $5,500 per week ($2,500 for inactive players), plus additional money for housing $400 per week), training camp ($850 per week). There are also performance bonuses. (For example, former UH offensive lineman Kohl Levao received $2,500 for earning All-UFL Team honors.)
Here are UFL players with Hawai‘i ties:
1. Dae Dae Hunter
Running Back, Arlington Renegades
UH
2. Kohl Levao
Guard, San Antonio Brahmas
UH
3. Jordan Ta‘amu
Quarterback, DC Defenders
Pearl City, Pearl City H.S.
4. Mika Tafua
Defensive End, Michigan Panthers
Lā‘ie, Kamehameha Schools Kapālama
5. Calvin Turner
Wide Receiver, San Antonio Brahmas
UH
LPGA
1. Allisen Corpuz
Pro Golfer, LPGA Tour
Honolulu, Punahou School
Earnings so far in 2024: $167,383
