Salaries are soaring in team sports thanks to blockbuster TV contracts both locally and nationally, but the players at the very top of the earnings food chain separate themselves by what they make from endorsements.
The five highest-paid athletes, Ronaldo, LeBron James, Lionel Messi, Roger Federer and Kevin Durant all generate more than $25 million annually from sponsors.
The earnings below span June 1, 2016 through June 1, 2017 and include salaries, bonuses, prize money, endorsements, licensing and appearance fees…
Forbes: Top 20 Of The World’s Highest-Paid Athletes 2017
1. Cristiano Ronaldo, $93 million (Soccer, Portugal)
2. LeBron James, $86.2 million (Basketball, U.S.)
3. Lionel Messi, $80 million (Soccer, Argentina)
4. Roger Federer, $64 million (Tennis, Switzerland)
5. Kevin Durant, $60.6 million (Basketball, U.S.)
6. Andrew Luck, $50 million (Football, U.S.)
6. Rory McIlroy, $50 million (Golf, U.K.)
8. Stephen Curry, $47.3 million (Basketball, U.S.)
9. James Harden, $46.6 million (Basketball, U.S.)
10. Lewis Hamilton, $46 million (Racing, U.K.)
11. Drew Brees, $45.3 million (Football, U.S.)
12. Phil Mickelson, $43.5 million (Golf, U.S.)
13. Russell Westbrook, $38.6 million (Basketball, U.S.)
14. Sebastian Vettel, $38.5 million (Racing, Germany)
15. Damian Lillard, $38.4 million (Basketball, U.S.)
16. Novak Djokovic, $37.6 million (Tennis, Serbia)
17. Tiger Woods, $37.1 million (Golf, U.S.)
18. Neymar, $37 million (Soccer, Brazil)
19. Dwyane Wade, $36.2 million (Basketball, U.S.)
20. Fernando Alonso, $36 million (Racing, Spain)
Source: Forbes
