Top 10 Richest Athletes in The World

Our maker blessed each and every one with a special skill which can be utilised to our advantage however not many of us in the world have an idea what our talents are. But to those who have realised and utilised their talents such as athletes, this group of people are earning a livelihood from their gifts.

The financial reward these people get can make you wish you knew your talent since its one hefty financial reward that not many CEOs in white collar jobs make such an amount. Imagine earning $200,000 in a week as a basic salary, yes some athletes earn such an amount an example is Aden Hazard Chelsea player.

Sports professionals with a remarkable success do earn hefty sum of money which not only comes from salaries but also bonuses, endorsement incomes, prize money and sponsorship deals. Here are top 10 richest athletes in the world in 2018.

10. Jordan Spieth

Richest Athletes

Jordan spieth is a PGA professional golfer and among the richest athletes on the planet 2018. Jordan is a former world number one in the world golf ranking and also the second youngest champion in the master’s history. He has won 2 major champions, FedExcup champion, 2013 PGA tour rookie. His net worth is $77 million and most of this money comes from PGA prize money, FedEx cup prize money and endorsements. Companies that Jordan gets endorsement money from are Under Armour, AT&T, Coca-Cola and Rolex .

9. Kobe Bryant

Richest Athletes 2019

Though retired from NBA the American black mamba also known as Kobe Bryant is a legend and most celebrated basketball player of all time. Kobe has retired with an estimated $320 million net worth and even though he is retired still Kobe Bryant makes around $40 million from endorsements deals from brands like Nike, Mercedes Benz, Sony, Hub lot, coca- cola, smart car among others.

8. Philip Alfred Mickelson

Richest Athletes

He is an American super skilled golfer and also super rich athlete. Philip Alfred Mickelson currently net worth is around $295 million and he earns a base salary of $3 million yearly and endorsements worth $ 47 million every year. Companies that offer endorsements money to Philip are Callaway, Barclays, KPMG, and Rolex among other. He has won 5 major championships, one world golf championships and 32 PGA tour awards.

7. Cam Newton

Richest Athletes

Cam Newton plays for Carolina Panthers of the national football league as a quarterback. He is ranked among the richest athletes alive since he earns around $20 million basic salary on annual basis and he is net worth $32 million. Most of his money comes from salary prize money as well as numerous endorsements which contributes a significant sum of money in his wealth kitty. Companies such as under armour, Microsoft, Gatorade and others which makes him $11 million a year. He is also under contract with Caroina panthers which will see him earn $103 million in the next 5 years.

6. Novak Djokovic

Richest Athletes 2019

According to the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Novak Djokovic is the ranked the number one professional tennis player and some people say the man is the greatest tennis player of our time. He is from social Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and he is net worth $160 million. He normally makes $20 million annually as salary and around $30 million annually from endorsements. He has achieved several awards in his career such as best male tennis player ESPY award in 2016, 2015, 2013, Golden bagel award 2012, 2011, ITF world champions for men’s single 2012, and 2011 among other achievements. His endorsements money comes from companies like Seiko, Peugeot, Adidas, ANZ, UNiqlo among others.

5. Kevin Durant

Richest Athletes

The golden state warrior’s player is one of the richest athlete in the world whose net worth is estimated to be $125 million. He is one of the Top 10 Richest Athletes in The World 2017. He normally makes around $26 million as a basic salary annually and much of his wealth has due to numerous endorsements with big companies. He normally makes more than $30 million endorsement money and some of his major contributor to his kitty is Nike company which will pay the basketballer $30 million every year for the next 8 years . Over his career he has been awarded NBA most valuable player award 2014, NBA rookie of the year award 2008, All NBA team 2016, 2014, 2013, BET Award for sportsman of the year and many others.

4. Roger Federer

Richest Athletes

Roger Federer is considered as the number one champion tennis professional of all time and he is estimated to have a net worth of more than $400 million. The Swiss tennis player was born in 1981 and at just 5 years old he had already started playing tennis. His salary earning in 2016 alone is estimated to be $7.8 million and in 2015 he earned more than 9 million in salary alone. His other source of wealth is endorsements from companies such as Nike, Roles, Credit Suisse, Moet & Chandon among other big companies. His 17 Grand slam single titles and 27 grand slam single finals titles, and 12 time winner of fans favourite award and 5 time ITF player of the year award has made him the most dominant male player and the best in all time.

3. LeBron James

Richest Athletes

Lebron James is a basketball player who currently plays for Cleveland Cavaliers which won 2016 NBA finals. He is among the world richest athlete as his net worth as of 2016 is $310 million and he on 2017-2018 he will be the highest paid NBA player earning $33 million though currently he earns $30 million. Lebron James is considered among the top basketball players to have numerous and biggest endorsements with companies such as Coca-Cola, MCDonalds, Upperdeck, and Nike. Its worth noting that LeBron James has a lifetime endorsement deal with Nike which made him the only player in history to get such a deal with Nike.

2. Lionel Messi

Richest Athletes

One of the richest athletes on earth today and a legend is Lionel Messi who was born in 1987 June 24. Currently the legend plays for Barcelona football club and internationally for his country Argentina. It is through his success in creating chances and scoring goals both for his country team and club team that has made him in the list of top class worldwide best player and a legend as well. Messi weekly salary under Barcelona is £256,000 and this goes on until 2018 when his contract with the team expires. On yearly basis Messi earns a base salary of 40 million euros and he is net worth $218 million.

Most of his money comes from salary, endorsements and prize money. He has worn several awards such as FIFA world player of the year 2009, European golden shoe 2013, 2012, 2010, best international athlete ESPY award 2015, 2012, FIFA Ballon d’Or 2016, 2013 and 2012 among many other international awards. He also has sponsorship deals with Adidas which is a 7 year deal ending on 2021 which is earning him close to $30 million every year and other deals such as Pepsi, EA sports and Samsung. With all these deals and salary he is ranked among the top sports celebrities who are paid highest.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

Richest Athletes

This Real Madrid player is not only the highest paid Real Madrid player but also the highest paid in the world. He earns £288,000 on weekly basis and is set to earn such an income for the next 2 years until his contract expires in 2018. Cristiano Ronaldo on a yearly basis his base salary is $40 million and the man is said to be net worth $320 million. He has won several awards such as FIFA world player of the year in 2009, European Golden shoe 2015, 2011 and 2008, UEFA best player in Europe Award,, 2016 best international athlete ESPY award and has numerous sponsorship deals such as NIKE which will extend till 2021, Coca-Cola, Samsung among others. The athlete has more than 250 million social media followers more than any other athlete on earth.

So, These above are the top 10 richest athletes in the world in 2018. Truly the kind of wealth that these athletes have accumulated over their career it’s a true measure that hobbies and talents can earn someone a livelihood as well. Most of these athletes money not only comes from their salary but also sponsorship deals which play a key role in addition to their wealth kitty.

12 Comments

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  1. Ronaldo is the most valuable player in
    soccer as well as richest Athlete in the world. He is paid the highest than Any
    other players.

  2. Comment* don’t forget tiger wood was worth 1 billion dollars at a certain point in his life. if not for the scandal he had thereby making his sponsors to leave him. I dnt think any1 would ave measured up to him. but what I can still say is that we should all look out for lebron James. by the time he is done with his career he would be worth 1 billion dollars like Michael Jordan is worth now. so please let give it some time. James will top every one at the end please everyone watch out for the KING because he is COMING……..

  3. A terrific, very skilled, smart player in NBA is LeBron James. He is most valuable player at present. He gives his best for the team. He is improving day by day and bring more and more productive. He is sure to make a big name by the end of his career.

  4. Ronaldo is the most valuable player in soccer. He is paid the highest than Any other players. He endorses the biggest sports brand Nike. He is world famous for his great skills and his career performance so far. He is young and has many more years to achieve the feat of richest athlete.

  5. LeBron James is creating some sensation in basketball. He is very skilled and talented player. He is sure to gain more popularity in coming years.

  6. Floyd Mayweather is unbeatable at present. His dominant reign in boxing is continuing as he is knocking down his opponents one by one. His name now has got the power and he’s the richest of athletes now

    • Although Mayweather is famous and is the richest, Cristiano Ronaldo is more famous and has a great recognition in the world. He is a football maestro. His legs are so swift and skilled.

  7. I think Tiger Woods might have topped the list, if there wasn’t a setback in his career some 4 years ago. He was ruling the golf course like a boss. He also endorsed many luxurious, popular brands too.

    • But, I think Floyd Mayweather would have beat him anyway. Because woods’ wealth is far more lesser than that of Mayweather. He is the ultimate champ.

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