Forbes, an American business magazine, recently published its annual ranking of the 100 highest paid athletes in the world. Experts calculated the players' earnings by adding up their prize money, salaries and income from advertising contracts from June 2018 to June 2019.
The top 100 included athletes from 25 countries, their total earnings grew by $ 4 billion, or 5% compared with the previous year.
List of 100 richest athletes in 2019
| A place | Name | Income | The salary | Advertising | Kind of sport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lionel messi | $ 127 M | $ 92 M | $ 35 m | Football |
| 2 | Cristiano ronaldo | $ 109 M | $ 65 M | $ 44 M | Football |
| 3 | Neymar | $ 105 M | $ 75 M | $ 30 m | Football |
| 4 | Canelo alvarez | $ 94 M | $ 92 M | $ 2 M | Boxing |
| 5 | Roger Federer | $ 93.4 M | $ 7.4 M | $ 86 M | Tennis |
| 6 | Russell Wilson | $ 89.5 M | $ 80.5 M | $ 9 m | Football |
| 7 | Aaron rodgers | $ 89.3 M | $ 80.3 M | $ 9 m | Football |
| 8 | Lebron james | $ 89 M | $ 36 m | $ 53 m | Basketball |
| 9 | Stephen curry | $ 79.8 M | $ 37.8 M | $ 42 m | Basketball |
| 10 | Kevin durant | $ 65.4 M | $ 30.4 M | $ 35 m | Basketball |
| 11 | Tiger woods | $ 63.9 M | $ 9.9 M | $ 54 M | Golf |
| 12 | Ben roethlisberger | $ 55.5 M | $ 54.5 M | $ 1 M | Football |
| 13 | Lewis hamilton | $ 55 M | $ 45 m | $ 10 M | Auto racing |
| 13 | Anthony joshua | $ 55 M | $ 45 m | $ 10 M | Boxing |
| 13 | Khalil Mack | $ 55 M | $ 54 M | $ 1 M | Football |
| 16 | Russell Westbrook | $ 53.7 M | $ 35.7 M | $ 18 M | Basketball |
| 17 | Novak Djokovic | $ 50.6 M | $ 20.6 M | $ 30 m | Tennis |
| 17 | Mike trout | $ 50.6 M | $ 47.6 M | $ 3 m | Baseball |
| 19 | Phil mickelson | $ 48.4 M | $ 12.4 M | $ 36 m | Golf |
| 20 | James harden | $ 47.7 M | $ 30.7 M | $ 17 M | Basketball |
| 21 | Conor mcgregor | $ 47 m | $ 32 m | $ 15 M | Mixed fights |
| 22 | DeMarcus Lawrence | $ 46.9 M | $ 46.8 M | $ 150 K | Football |
| 23 | Bryce harper | $ 44.5 M | $ 38 M | $ 6.5 M | Baseball |
| 24 | Chris paul | $ 43.8 M | $ 35.8 M | $ 8 M | Basketball |
| 25 | Kyrie Irving | $ 43.3 M | $ 20.3 M | $ 23 M | Basketball |
| 26 | Giannis antetokounmpo | $ 43.2 M | $ 24.2 M | $ 19 M | Basketball |
| 27 | Drew brees | $ 42.4 M | $ 26.4 M | $ 16 M | Football |
| 28 | Aaron donald | $ 41.4 M | $ 40.9 M | $ 500 K | Football |
| 29 | Damian lillard | $ 41.1 M | $ 28.1 M | $ 13 m | Basketball |
| 30 | Sebastian vetel | $ 40.3 M | $ 40 m | $ 300 K | Auto racing |
| 31 | Blake griffin | $ 39.1 M | $ 32.1 M | $ 7 m | Basketball |
| 32 | Rory McIlroy | $ 39 M | $ 8 M | $ 31 m | Golf |
| 33 | Paul george | $ 38.6 M | $ 30.6 M | $ 8 M | Basketball |
| 34 | Brandin cooks | $ 38 M | $ 37.5 M | $ 500 K | Football |
| 35 | Kei nishikori | $ 37.3 M | $ 4.3 M | $ 33 m | Tennis |
| 36 | Nick foles | $ 35.8 M | $ 33.8 M | $ 2 M | Football |
| 37 | Rafael nadal | $ 35 m | $ 9 m | $ 26 M | Tennis |
| 38 | Manny machado | $ 34.8 M | $ 34.3 M | $ 500 K | Baseball |
| 39 | Anthony davis | $ 34.6 M | $ 25.6 M | $ 9 m | Basketball |
| 40 | Gordon hayward | $ 34.3 M | $ 31.3 M | $ 3 M | Basketball |
| 40 | Klay thompson | $ 34.3 M | $ 19.3 M | $ 15 M | Basketball |
| 42 | Carmelo anthony | $ 34 m | $ 28 M | $ 6 m | Basketball |
| 43 | Kyle lowry | $ 33.8 M | $ 32.3 M | $ 1.5 M | Basketball |
| 44 | Paul pogba | $ 33 m | $ 29 M | $ 4 m | Football |
| 45 | DeMar DeRozan | $ 32.8 M | $ 27.8 M | $ 5 m | Basketball |
| 46 | Andres iniesta | $ 32.5 M | $ 30 m | $ 2.5 M | Football |
| 47 | Justin rose | $ 32.4 M | $ 18.4 M | $ 14 M | Golf |
| 48 | Joel embiid | $ 32.1 M | $ 25.6 M | $ 6.5 M | Basketball |
| 49 | Al horford | $ 32 m | $ 29 M | $ 3 M | Basketball |
| 50 | David Price | $ 31.7 M | $ 30.7 M | $ 950 K | Baseball |
| 51 | Mike Conley, Jr. | $ 31.5 M | $ 30.5 M | $ 1 M | Basketball |
| 52 | Jordan spieth | $ 31.1 M | $ 2.1 M | $ 29 M | Golf |
| 53 | Alexis Sánchez | $ 30.8 M | $ 28.3 M | $ 2.5 M | Football |
| 54 | Clayton kershaw | $ 30.7 M | $ 30 m | $ 700 K | Baseball |
| 55 | Kylian Mbappe | $ 30.6 M | $ 26.6 M | $ 4 M | Football |
| 56 | Deontay wilder | $ 30.5 M | $ 30 m | $ 500 K | Boxing |
| 57 | Trey flowers | $ 30.2 M | $ 30 m | $ 250 K | Football |
| 57 | Mesut zil | $ 30.2 M | $ 23.7 M | $ 6.5 M | Football |
| 59 | Paul millsap | $ 30.1 M | $ 29.6 M | $ 500 K | Basketball |
| 60 | Matt ryan | $ 29.8 M | $ 24.8 M | $ 5 m | Football |
| 61 | Justin verlander | $ 29.5 M | $ 28.5 M | $ 1 M | Baseball |
| 62 | Yoenis cespedes | $ 29.4 M | $ 29 M | $ 400 K | Baseball |
| 63 | Miguel cabrera | $ 29.2 M | $ 28.7 M | $ 500 K | Baseball |
| 63 | Serena williams | $ 29.2 M | $ 4.2 M | $ 25 M | Tennis |
| 65 | Geno atkins | $ 29.1 M | $ 29 M | $ 75 K | Football |
| 66 | Oscar | $ 29 M | $ 27 m | $ 2 M | Football |
| 66 | Earl thomas | $ 29 M | $ 28.5 M | $ 500 K | Football |
| 68 | Jake arrieta | $ 28.8 M | $ 28.3 M | $ 500 K | Baseball |
| 68 | C.J. Mccollum | $ 28.8 M | $ 25.8 M | $ 3 m | Basketball |
| 70 | Kawhi leonard | $ 28.7 M | $ 23.2 M | $ 5.5 M | Basketball |
| 71 | Kevin love | $ 28.4 M | $ 24.4 M | $ 4 M | Basketball |
| 72 | Justin houston | $ 28.2 M | $ 28 M | $ 200 K | Football |
| 73 | Albert pujols | $ 28 M | $ 27.3 M | $ 700 K | Baseball |
| 74 | Dwight howard | $ 27.8 M | $ 24.3 M | $ 3.5 M | Basketball |
| 75 | Antoine griezmann | $ 27.7 M | $ 23.2 M | $ 4.5 M | Football |
| 76 | Jrue holiday | $ 27.6 M | $ 27.1 M | $ 500 K | Basketball |
| 77 | Giancarlo stanton | $ 27.4 M | $ 25.4 M | $ 2 M | Baseball |
| 78 | Steven adams | $ 27.2 M | $ 24.2 M | $ 3 m | Basketball |
| 79 | Gareth bale | $ 27.1 M | $ 20.6 M | $ 6.5 M | Football |
| 79 | Bradley beal | $ 27.1 M | $ 25.6 M | $ 1.5 M | Basketball |
| 81 | Tom brady | $ 27 m | $ 15 M | $ 12 M | Football |
| 82 | Andrew Luck | $ 26.9 M | $ 24.1 M | $ 2.8 M | Football |
| 82 | C.J. Mosley | $ 26.9 M | $ 26.7 M | $ 150 K | Football |
| 84 | Felix hernandez | $ 26.6 M | $ 26.3 M | $ 300 K | Baseball |
| 85 | Odell Beckham, Jr. | $ 26.5 M | $ 21.5 M | $ 5 m | Football |
| 85 | Otto Porter, Jr. | $ 26.5 M | $ 26 M | $ 500 K | Basketball |
| 87 | Andre Drummond | $ 26.4 M | $ 25.4 M | $ 1 M | Basketball |
| 88 | Harrison barnes | $ 26.3 M | $ 24.8 M | $ 1.5 M | Basketball |
| 89 | Nikola Jokic | $ 26.2 M | $ 25.5 M | $ 750 K | Basketball |
| 89 | Hassan whiteside | $ 26.2 M | $ 25.4 M | $ 750 K | Basketball |
| 91 | Andrew Wiggins | $ 26.1 M | $ 25.5 M | $ 600 K | Basketball |
| 92 | Manny pacquiao | $ 26 M | $ 24 m | $ 2 M | Boxing |
| 93 | Saquon barkley | $ 25.8 M | $ 21.3 M | $ 4.5 M | Football |
| 94 | J.D. Martinez | $ 25.6 M | $ 24.9 M | $ 700 K | Baseball |
| 95 | Gennady golovkin | $ 25.5 M | $ 23 M | $ 2.5 M | Boxing |
| 96 | Joey votto | $ 25.4 M | $ 25.1 M | $ 300 K | Baseball |
| 97 | Jon lester | $ 25.3 M | $ 25 M | $ 300 K | Baseball |
| 98 | Marc gasol | $ 25.1 M | $ 24.1 M | $ 1 M | Basketball |
| 98 | Mohamed salah | $ 25.1 M | $ 16.1 M | $ 9 m | Football |
| 100 | Virat kohli | $ 25 M | $ 4 M | $ 21 m | Cricket |
10 most expensive athletes in the world
10. Kevin Durant (basketball) - $ 65.4 million
The basketball star is not yet the richest athlete in the world, but is confidently one of the top ten rich sports, ahead of the 11th number (Tiger Woods) by $ 1.5 million.
Durant earned $ 35 million in 2018 thanks to sponsors (Google, Alaska Air Group, Nike and others), as well as through investments in more than 30 companies.
9. Stephen Curry (basketball) - $ 79.8 million
Point guard Golden State Warriors is one of the most sought after athletes in the world in recent years. In 2017, he signed a $ 200 million contract.
In addition to his sports activities, Curry also owns the production company Unanimous media. And his sponsorship list includes Chase, Nissan Motor, Under Armor, etc.
8. LeBron James (basketball) - 89 million dollars
The Los Angeles Lakers striker is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, and his inclusion in the number of the highest paid athletes in the world in 2019 definitely confirms this opinion.
Lebron's advertising portfolio includes Beats Electronics, Coca-Cola, KIA Motors, Nike and many other well-known companies.
According to ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski, in December LeBron's team will meet at the Staples Center with the Clippers. This will be the main NBA Christmas match.
7. Aaron Rogers (American football) - 89.3 million dollars
The two-time MVP winner took 7th place in the Forbes 2019 list of the richest athletes in the world. Last August, Rogers signed a $ 134 million four-year deal with Green Bay Packers. He also acquired a minority stake in the NBA Milwaukee Bucks team.
His advertising partners include Prevea Healthcare, Panini, Adidas, Bose, and State Farm.
6. Russell Wilson (American football) - 89.5 million dollars
An American footballer recently became the highest-paid NFL player after signing a four-year $ 140 million Seattle Seahawks contract. Wilson led the Seahawks to win the Super Bowl in the 2013-14 season.
In addition to his $ 80.5 million salary, Wilson received $ 9 million from his partners: Wilson Sporting Goods, Amazon, Alaska Air Group, Bose, Mercedes-Benz and Nike.
5. Roger Federer (tennis) - 93.4 million dollars
A Swiss professional tennis player currently ranks third in the world among men in tennis. Federer is now nearing the end of his career, but he was number one for 6 consecutive years and won 19 grand prix in his career.
Federer earned $ 86 million thanks to his partners - Credit Suisse, Mercedes-Benz and Rolex, which makes him the highest paid athlete through advertising contracts. And Japanese sports giant Uniqlo signed a 10-year contract with tennis star last year in the amount of $ 300 million.
4. Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (boxing) - $ 94 million
One of the brightest boxing stars is also the richest athlete in his sport. 92 million dollars brought him performances in the ring, and Alvarez received another 2 million dollars thanks to advertising deals with DAZN and Everlast.
DAZN allocated $ 365 million in 2018 to sponsor Alvarez's next 11 fights. The first two fights on the streaming service brought the Mexican boxer about $ 50 million, and future fights could potentially cost $ 35 million each.
3. Neymar (football) - 105 million dollars
Former Messi partner and star “Paris Saint-Germain” ranks third among the richest athletes in the world.
A significant part of his income is provided by numerous advertising contracts with DAZN, Beats Electronics, Electronic Arts, Gillette, Mastercard, McDonald’s, Nike, Red Bull, TCL and many other companies.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (football) - 109 million dollars
One of the most beautiful soccer players in the world is currently playing for Juventus, moving there from Real Madrid in 2018.
Ronaldo is considered the best football player in the world and is constantly fighting with Lionel Messi for this title. In fact, over the past few years, these two players are the only ones to receive the Player of the Year Award.
Ronaldo also boasts an incredible amount of followers on social networks. Recently, he has become the most popular sports celebrity on Instagram, where he has almost 400 million followers.
An impressive $ 44 million out of the total amount was brought to Cristiano by advertising agreements with Nike, Herbalife, Altice, DAZN, MTG, Electronic Arts and many others.
1. Lionel Messi (football) - 127 million dollars
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi for the first time topped the list of the highest paid athletes in the world, taking the place of boxer Floyd Mayweather - the leader of 2018.
And even Cristiano Ronaldo, who made one of the most expensive transfers in the history of football last season, was only the second on the list.
About 35 million dollars the highest paid athlete in the world earned thanks to advertising partners such as Adidas, MasterCard, Gatorade, Huawei and PepsiCo.
It is noteworthy that the first time players entered the top three richest athletes since 1990 - that is, since Forbes began tracking the income of sports stars.
