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Forbes list of the world's highest-paid athletes

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This is a list of the highest-paid athletes in the world as ranked by Forbes magazine.

2024 list

The 2024 list:[1]

Rank Name Sport Country Total Salary/winnings Endorsements
1 Cristiano Ronaldo Association football Portugal Portugal $260 million $200 million $60 million
2 Jon Rahm Golf Spain Spain $218 million $198 million $20 million
3 Lionel Messi Association football Argentina Argentina $135 million $65 million $70 million
4 LeBron James Basketball United States United States $128.2 million $48.2 million $80 million
5 Giannis Antetokounmpo Basketball Greece Greece $111 million $46 million $65 million
6 Kylian Mbappé Association football France France $110 million $90 million $20 million
7 Neymar Association football Brazil Brazil $108 million $80 million $28 million
8 Karim Benzema Association football France France $106 million $100 million $6 million
9 Stephen Curry Basketball United States United States $102 million $52 million $50 million
10 Lamar Jackson American football United States United States $100.5 million $98.5 million $2 million

2023 list

The 2023 list:[2]

Rank Name Sport Country Total Salary/winnings Endorsements
1 Cristiano Ronaldo Association football Portugal Portugal $136 million $46 million $90 million
2 Lionel Messi Association football Argentina Argentina $130 million $65 million $65 million
3 Kylian Mbappé Association football France France $120 million $100 million $20 million
4 LeBron James Basketball United States United States $119.5 million $44.5 million $75 million
5 Canelo Álvarez Boxing Mexico Mexico $110 million $100 million $10 million
6 Dustin Johnson Golf United States United States $107 million $102 million $5 million
7 Phil Mickelson Golf United States United States $106 million $104 million $2 million
8 Stephen Curry Basketball United States United States $100.4 million $48.4 million $52 million
9 Roger Federer Tennis Switzerland Switzerland $95.1 million $0.1 million $95 million
10 Kevin Durant Basketball United States United States $89.1 million $44.1 million $45 million

2022 list

The 2022 list:[3]

Rank Name Sport Country Total Salary/winnings Endorsements
1 Lionel Messi Association football Argentina Argentina $130 million $75 million $55 million
2 LeBron James Basketball United States United States $121.2 million $41.2 million $80 million
3 Cristiano Ronaldo Association football Portugal Portugal $115 million $60 million $55 million
4 Neymar Association football Brazil Brazil $95 million $70 million $25 million
5 Stephen Curry Basketball United States United States $92.8 million $45.8 million $47 million
6 Kevin Durant Basketball United States United States $92.1 million $42.1 million $50 million
7 Roger Federer Tennis Switzerland Switzerland $90.7 million $0.7 million $90 million
8 Canelo Álvarez Boxing Mexico Mexico $90 million $85 million $5 million
9 Tom Brady American football United States United States $83.9 million $31.9 million $52 million
10 Giannis Antetokounmpo Basketball Greece Greece $80.9 million $39.9 million $41 million

2021 list

The 2021 list:[4]

Rank Name Sport Country Total Salary/winnings Endorsements
1 Conor McGregor Mixed martial arts Republic of Ireland Republic of Ireland $180 million $22 million $158 million
2 Lionel Messi Association football Argentina Argentina $130 million $97 million $33 million
3 Cristiano Ronaldo Association football Portugal Portugal $120 million $70 million $50 million
4 Dak Prescott American football United States United States $107.5 million $97.5 million $10 million
5 LeBron James Basketball United States United States $96.5 million $31.5 million $65 million
6 Neymar Association football Brazil Brazil $95 million $76 million $19 million
7 Roger Federer Tennis Switzerland Switzerland $90 million $0.03 million $90 million
8 Lewis Hamilton Auto racing United Kingdom United Kingdom $82 million $70 million $12 million
9 Tom Brady American football United States United States $76 million $45 million $31 million
10 Kevin Durant Basketball United States United States $75 million $31 million $44 million

2020 list

The 2020 list:[5]

Rank Name Sport Country Total Salary/winnings Endorsements
1 Roger Federer Tennis Switzerland Switzerland $106.3 million $6.3 million $100 million
2 Cristiano Ronaldo Association football Portugal Portugal $105 million $60 million $45 million
3 Lionel Messi Association football Argentina Argentina $104 million $72 million $32 million
4 Neymar Association football Brazil Brazil $95.5 million $70.5 million $25 million
5 LeBron James Basketball United States United States $88.2 million $28.2 million $60 million
6 Stephen Curry Basketball United States United States $74.4 million $30.4 million $44 million
7 Kevin Durant Basketball United States United States $63.9 million $28.9 million $35 million
8 Tiger Woods Golf United States United States $62.3 million $2.3 million $60 million
9 Kirk Cousins American football United States United States $60.5 million $58 million $2.5 million
10 Carson Wentz American football United States United States $59.1 million $55.1 million $4 million

2010–2019 list

The 2010–2019 list:[6]

Rank Name Sport Nation Earnings
1 Floyd Mayweather Jr. Boxing United States United States $915 million
2 Cristiano Ronaldo Association football Portugal Portugal $800 million
3 Lionel Messi Association football Argentina Argentina $750 million
4 LeBron James Basketball United States United States $680 million
5 Roger Federer Tennis Switzerland Switzerland $640 million
6 Tiger Woods Golf United States United States $615 million
7 Phil Mickelson Golf United States United States $480 million
8 Manny Pacquiao Boxing Philippines Philippines $435 million
9 Kevin Durant Basketball United States United States $425 million
10 Lewis Hamilton Auto racing United Kingdom United Kingdom $400 million

2019 list

The 2019 list:[citation needed]

Rank Name Sport Nation Total Salary/Winnings Endorsements
1 Lionel Messi Association football Argentina Argentina $127 million $92 million $35 million
2 Cristiano Ronaldo Association football Portugal Portugal $109 million $65 million $44 million
3 Neymar Association football Brazil Brazil $105 million $75 million $30 million
4 Canelo Álvarez Boxing Mexico Mexico $94 million $92 million $2 million
5 Roger Federer Tennis Switzerland Switzerland $93.4 million $7.4 million $86 million
6 Russell Wilson American football United States United States $89.5 million $80.5 million $9 million
7 Aaron Rodgers American football United States United States $89.3 million $80.3 million $9 million
8 LeBron James Basketball United States United States $89 million $36 million $53 million
9 Stephen Curry Basketball United States United States $79.8 million $37.8 million $42 million
10 Kevin Durant Basketball United States United States $65.4 million $30.4 million $35 million

2018 list

The 2018 list:[citation needed]

Rank Name Sport Nation Total Salary/Winnings Endorsements
1 Floyd Mayweather Jr. Boxing United States United States $285 million $275 million $10 million
2 Lionel Messi Association football Argentina Argentina $111 million $84 million $27 million
3 Cristiano Ronaldo Association football Portugal Portugal $108 million $61 million $47 million
4 Conor McGregor Mixed martial arts Republic of Ireland Republic of Ireland $99 million $85 million $14 million
5 Neymar Association football Brazil Brazil $90 million $73 million $17 million
6 LeBron James Basketball United States United States $85.5 million $33.5 million $52 million
7 Roger Federer Tennis Switzerland Switzerland $77.2 million $12.2 million $65 million
8 Stephen Curry Basketball United States United States $76.9 million $34.9 million $42 million
9 Matt Ryan American football United States United States $67.3 million $62.3 million $5 million
10 Matthew Stafford American football United States United States $59.5 million $57.5 million $2 million

2017 list

The 2017 list:[7]

Rank Name Sport Nation Total Salary/Winnings Endorsements
1 Cristiano Ronaldo Association football Portugal Portugal $93 million $58 million $35 million
2 LeBron James Basketball United States United States $86.2 million $31.2 million $55 million
3 Lionel Messi Association football Argentina Argentina $80 million $53 million $27 million
4 Roger Federer Tennis Switzerland Switzerland $64 million $6 million $58 million
5 Kevin Durant Basketball United States United States $60.6 million $26.6 million $34 million
6 Andrew Luck American football United States United States $50 million $47 million $3 million
6 Rory McIlroy Golf Northern Ireland Northern Ireland $50 million $16 million $34 million
8 Stephen Curry Basketball United States United States $47.3 million $12.3 million $35 million
9 James Harden Basketball United States United States $46.6 million $26.6 million $20 million
10 Lewis Hamilton Auto racing United Kingdom United Kingdom $46 million $38 million $8 million

2016 list

The 2016 list:[8]

Rank Name Sport Nation Total Salary/Winnings Endorsements
1 Cristiano Ronaldo Association football Portugal Portugal $88 million $56 million $32 million
2 Lionel Messi Association football Argentina Argentina $81.4 million $53.4 million $28 million
3 LeBron James Basketball United States United States $77.2 million $23.2 million $54 million
4 Roger Federer Tennis Switzerland Switzerland $67.8 million $7.8 million $60 million
5 Kevin Durant Basketball United States United States $56.2 million $20.2 million $36 million
6 Novak Djokovic Tennis Serbia Serbia $55.8 million $21.8 million $34 million
7 Cam Newton American football United States United States $53.1 million $41.1 million $12 million
8 Phil Mickelson Golf United States United States $52.9 million $2.9 million $50 million
9 Jordan Spieth Golf United States United States $52.8 million $20.8 million $32 million
10 Kobe Bryant Basketball United States United States $50 million $25 million $25 million

2015 list

The 2015 list was released on 10 June 2015.[9]

Rank Name Sport Nation Total Salary/Winnings Endorsements
1 Floyd Mayweather Jr. Boxing United States United States $300 million $285 million $15 million
2 Manny Pacquiao Boxing Philippines Philippines $160 million $148 million $12 million
3 Cristiano Ronaldo Association football Portugal Portugal $79.6 million $52.6 million $27 million
4 Lionel Messi Association football Argentina Argentina $73.8 million $51.8 million $22 million
5 Roger Federer Tennis Switzerland Switzerland $67 million $9 million $58 million
6 LeBron James Basketball United States United States $64.8 million $20.8 million $44 million
7 Kevin Durant Basketball United States United States $54.1 million $19.1 million $35 million
8 Phil Mickelson Golf United States United States $50.8 million $2.8 million $48 million
9 Tiger Woods Golf United States United States $50.6 million $0.6 million $50 million
10 Kobe Bryant Basketball United States United States $49.5 million $23.5 million $26 million

2014 list

The 2014 list was released on 11 June 2014.[10]

Rank Name Sport Nation Total Salary/Winnings Endorsements
1 Floyd Mayweather Jr. Boxing United States United States $105 million $105 million $0
2 Cristiano Ronaldo Association football Portugal Portugal $80 million $52 million $28 million
3 LeBron James Basketball United States United States $72.3 million $19.3 million $53 million
4 Lionel Messi Association football Argentina Argentina $64.7 million $41.7 million $23 million
5 Kobe Bryant Basketball United States United States $61.5 million $30.5 million $31 million
6 Tiger Woods Golf United States United States $61.2 million $6.2 million $55 million
7 Roger Federer Tennis Switzerland Switzerland $56.2 million $4.2 million $52 million
8 Phil Mickelson Golf United States United States $53.2 million $5.2 million $48 million
9 Rafael Nadal Tennis Spain Spain $44.5 million $14.5 million $30 million
10 Matt Ryan American football United States United States $43.8 million $42 million $1.8 million

2013 list

The 2013 list was released on 5 June 2013.[11]

Rank Name Sport Nation Total Salary/Winnings Endorsements
1 Tiger Woods Golf United States United States $78.1 million $13.1 million $65 million
2 Roger Federer Tennis Switzerland Switzerland $71.5 million $6.5 million $65 million
3 Kobe Bryant Basketball United States United States $61.9 million $27.9 million $34 million
4 LeBron James Basketball United States United States $59.8 million $17.8 million $42 million
5 Drew Brees American football United States United States $51 million $40 million $11 million
6 Aaron Rodgers American football United States United States $49 million $43 million $6 million
7 Phil Mickelson Golf United States United States $48.7 million $4.7 million $44 million
8 David Beckham Association football United Kingdom United Kingdom $47.2 million $5.2 million $42 million
9 Cristiano Ronaldo Association football Portugal Portugal $44 million $23 million $21 million
10 Lionel Messi Association football Argentina Argentina $41.3 million $20.3 million $21 million

2012 list

The 2012 list was released on 18 June 2012.[12]

Rank Name Sport Nationality Total earnings Salary/winnings Endorsements
1 Floyd Mayweather Jr. Boxing United States United States $85 million $85 million $0
2 Manny Pacquiao Boxing Philippines Philippines $62 million $56 million $6 million
3 Tiger Woods Golf United States United States $59.4 million $4.4 million $55 million
4 LeBron James Basketball United States United States $53 million $13 million $40 million
5 Roger Federer Tennis Switzerland Switzerland $52.7 million $7.7 million $45 million
6 Kobe Bryant Basketball United States United States $52.3 million $20.3 million $32 million
7 Phil Mickelson Golf United States United States $47.8 million $4.8 million $43 million
8 David Beckham Association football United Kingdom United Kingdom $46 million $9 million $37 million
9 Cristiano Ronaldo Association football Portugal Portugal $42.5 million $20.5 million $22 million
10 Peyton Manning American football United States United States $42.4 million $32.4 million $10 million

See also

References

  1. ^ Birnbaum, Justin. "The World's 10 Highest-Paid Athletes 2024". Forbes. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  2. ^ Knight, Brett. "The World's 10 Highest-Paid Athletes 2023". Forbes. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  3. ^ Knight, Brett. "The World's 10 Highest-Paid Athletes: Lionel Messi leads a group that collectively earned more than $990 million in 12 months, with the bar for entry higher than ever". Forbes. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  4. ^ Knight, Brett. "The World's 10 Highest-Paid Athletes: Conor McGregor Leads A Group Of Sports Stars Unfazed By The Pandemic". Forbes. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  5. ^ "Roger Federer Debuts In Top Spot On Forbes' Annual Ranking Of The World's 100 Highest-Paid Athletes, As Naomi Osaka Becomes Highest-Paid Female Athlete Ever". Forbes. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  6. ^ Badenhausen, Kurt. "The Highest-Paid Athletes Of The Decade: Mayweather, Ronaldo And LeBron Dominate". Forbes. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  7. ^ "The World's Highest-Paid Athletes 2017". Forbes. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  8. ^ "The World's Highest-Paid Athletes 2016". Forbes. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  9. ^ "Forbes Announces 2015 List Of The World's 100 Highest-Paid Athletes". Forbes. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  10. ^ "Floyd Mayweather Heads 2014 List Of The World's Highest-Paid Athletes". Forbes. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  11. ^ "The World's Highest-Paid Athletes 2013: Behind The Numbers". Forbes. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  12. ^ "Mayweather Tops List Of The World's 100 Highest-Paid Athletes". Forbes. Archived from the original on 18 June 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2016.