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Top 10 Highest Paid Athletes In The World Right Now

May 29, 2021 By Sourav

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These professional players earn a tremendous amount of money every year with their respective sports and endorsements and became the highest paid athletes around the world.

Sports are always the most lovable source of entertainment worldwide, which gives the athletes a huge fan-following internationally. The big brands prefer globally recognized athletes to get massive profits because of the fan following of these famous sports stars.

 

Highest Paid Athletes | 2021 Ranking

 

10. Kevin Durant | $75 Million
9. Tom Brady | $76 Million
8. Lewis Hamilton | $82 Million
7. Roger Federer | $90 Million
6. Neymar | $95 Million
5. LeBron James | $96.5 Million
4. Dak Prescott | $107.5 Million
3. Cristiano Ronaldo | $120 Million
2. Lionel Messi | $130 Million
1. Conor McGregor | $180 Million

 

Don't Miss:

Highest Paid Athletes In 2021 - Infographics
FAQ Regarding Money In Sports This Year

 

You must have already liked our 2021 ranking of the highest-paid football players. And here we will discuss the highest-paid athletes in 2021 with the addition of their earnings and achievements. These successful players have gained massive popularity and extensive money in the past 12 months with their career achievements.

 

10. Kevin Durant | $75 Million

Salary & Bonus: $31 Million
Endorsements: $44 Million
Sponsors: Degree, Master & Dynamic, Nike, YouTube

Kevin Wayne Durant, known as Kevin Durant, is a famous basketball player from the United States who is currently playing for the Brooklyn Nets in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Durant is also known for his initials KD. Basketball fans regard him as one of the best power forwards in NBA.

The basketball star Kevin made over an estimated $75 million in the past 12 months, which includes $31 million in salary and winning amounts and $44 million in endorsements, and became one of the highest paid athletes in 2021 along with his remarkable performances.

Kevin made his debut with Seattle SuperSonics in the 2007 NBA draft with 2nd overall pick in round one. KD played for four different teams in the NBA and won 22 awards and honors till now. Famous brands singed Kevin for endorsements like Nike in 2014, Google in 2018, Alaska Air Group in 2017, and American Family Insurance in 2015.

He also signed for Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) in 2013, Sparkling Ice in 2014, and Panini in 2016. Durant then also started his association with NBA 2K video game, Gatorade in 2013, Sonic Drive-In in 2014, Sprint, Skullcandy, and Beats. The estimated net worth of Kevin is $170 million.

 

9. Tom Brady | $76 Million

Salary & Bonus: $45 Million
Endorsements: $31 Million
Sponsors: IWC Schaffhausen, Under Armour, Wheels Up

Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr., known as Tom Brady, is a professional quarterback football player from the United States who is currently playing for Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the National basketball association (NFL).

Brady made $76 million in the past year, which includes $45 million in salary and winning amount and $31 million in endorsements. He is the only NFL quarterback named to two all-decade teams in the 2000s and 2010s.

In 2000, Brady made his debut with New England Patriots in the NFL with the overall pick of 199 in the sixth round. Besides becoming one of the highest paid athletes of all time, Brady set different records and won various awards and honors in his career.

He made endorsements with different brands, including Under Armour, Molecule Mattresses, Upper Deck, and IWC watches. Besides his immense wealth, he is also regarded as one of the best NFL Quarterbacks the world has ever seen.

 

8. Lewis Hamilton | $82 Million

Salary & Bonus: $70 Million
Endorsements: $12 Million
Sponsors: Bose, L'Oréal, Mercedes-Benz, Monster Energy, Police, Puma, Sony, Tommy Hilfiger, Vodafone

Sir Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton, known as Lewis Hamilton, is a British racing driver who competes for Mercedes in Formula One. He is now widely regarded as one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time.

Hamilton made up to be on the list of highest-paid athletes with $82 million earnings in the past year, including $70 million in salary and winning amounts and $12 million endorsements. The British star won seven championships and 98 races in his career.

Lewis started his Formula One racing career in 2007 for McLaren. He signed with different brands like Mercedes-Benz, IWC, Sony, BOSE, Bell Helmets, MV Agusta Motorcycles, Gran Turismo Sport, Tommy Hilfiger, Monster Energy, and Puma.

Because of his remarkable career, Hamilton is also considered one of the greatest British sportsmen of all time. His fans also dubbed him as the greatest driver ever to grace an F1 circuit.

 

7. Roger Federer | $90 Million

Salary & Bonus: $0.03 Million
Endorsements: $90 Million
Sponsors: Barilla, Credit Suisse Group (ADS), Mercedes-Benz, Rolex, Uniqlo, Wilson

Currently ranking at the No. 8 by ATP, Roger Federer is a professional tennis player from Switzerland. Federer could not make a high amount with salary in the past year due to his knee injury.

However, one of the greatest tennis players, Roger Federer, earned most of his $90 million and made up to be one of the highest paid athletes through sponsorships from Rolex, Credit Suisse, and Uniqlo. Federer's biggest payout yet may come from his stake in Swiss athletic apparel company, On.

In 2000, Federer was 18 when he made his Olympic debut in Sydney. He won 103 titles in his career. Roger Federer's season in 2006 was the best season of his career, according to Tennis.com writer Stephen Tignor.

The ranking of Federer's season was the second-best of all time during the Open Era, after Rod Laver's Grand Slam year of 1969. Tennis legend Roger Federer won twelve singles titles, the most since Thomas Muster in 1995 and John McEnroe in 1984, and had a 32-2 record in doubles matches.

 

6. Neymar | $95 Million

Salary & Bonus: $76 Million
Endorsements: $19 Million
Sponsors: Beats Electronics, DAZN, Electronic Arts, Gillette, Mastercard, Nike, Red Bull, TCL

The well-known Brazilian footballer Neymar is the thirst most famous athlete on social media. In 2010, Neymar made his debut for Brazil international football team. In Barcelona's final Group H match, Neymar scored his first Champions League hat-trick in a 6–1 victory over Celtic on 11 December.

Neymar earned $95 million, including $76 million from the salary and winning amounts and $19 million with sponsorships to be one of the highest paid athletes.

His popularity around the world is the reason for his endorsements with big brands and clubs. As part of his new position with Puma, he has a signature version of its King sneakers. Neymar announced his early exit from Nike's Jordan brand last year.

His remarkable career made him one of the best soccer players of all time. In the Guinness book of records, Neymar is recognized for two events: he was part of the Barcelona-Paris transfer that brought him to PSG, and he scored the fastest goal in Olympic history by a man footballer.

 

5. LeBron James | $96.5 Million

Salary & Bonus: $31.5 Million
Endorsements: $65 Million
Sponsors: 2K Sports, AT&T, Beats Electronics, Coca-Cola, GMC, KIA, Nike, RIMOWA, Walmart

LeBron Raymone James Sr., known as LeBron James, is a professional basketball player currently playing for Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA. One of the greatest NBA players of all time, James earned $96.5 million in the past year with a $31.5 million salary and winning amounts and $65 million with sponsorships.

James managed to get different endorsements from big brands because of his worldwide popularity, including Nike, McDonald's, Blaze Pizza, State Farm Insurance, Audemars Piguet, Dunkin' Donuts, Samsung, Kia, Verizon, Intel, Beats Electronics, Sprite, and Upper Deck.

The Cavaliers selected James as the first overall pick in 2003's NBA draft. James played for four different teams in NBA and won the honor of NBA All-Star 17 times in his career. His high-profile career stats and well-known personality make him one of the highest paid athletes in 2021.

James was the NBA's highest-paid player in 2016-17. But he played a dozen seasons in professional basketball before even reaching that level with his own team. Don’t forget to check out the current net worth of LeBron James to know about his immense wealth.

 

4. Dak Prescott | $107.5 Million

Salary & Bonus: $97.5 Million
Endorsements: $10 Million
Sponsors: Pepsi, Beats, PlayStation, AT&T, Adidas, Beats, 7-Eleven, New Era, Citi, Direct TV.

American football quarterback Rayne Dakota Prescott plays in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys. Prescott made $105.7 million in the past year, including 97.5 million with payroll and winning amounts, making him one of the highest paid athletes with salary. Prescott also made $10 million with endorsements.

Prescott gets the sponsorship of different big brands in his career till now, including AT&T, Adidas, New Era, Sleep Number, Oikos, Pepsi, Citibank, Beats by Dre, Campbell's Chunky Soup, Direct TV, 7-Eleven.

The extension Dak Prescott signed with the Dallas Cowboys in 2021 was worth $160 million. He received a $66 million signing bonus, which was the highest amount ever paid to a Cowboy player and the highest signing bonus in league history. And now, he is also considered as one of the most handsome NFL quarterbacks.

By signing the deal, Prescott became the second-highest-paid quarterback in the NFL. In 2016, Dallas Cowboys selected Prescott with 135th overall pick in the 4th round. He received 17 honors and awards during his distinguished career.

 

3. Cristiano Ronaldo | $120 Million

Salary & Bonus: $70 Million
Endorsements: $50 Million
Sponsors: Altice, DAZN, Herbalife, MTG, Nike, Unilever

One of the greatest footballers of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo, is a forward footballer from Portugal. Ronaldo earned $120 million in the past year, including $70 million from salary and winning amounts and $50 million from sports.

Ronaldo's high legacy made him the superstar around the world. His tremendous career achievements made him what he deserves to be in his life. In addition, Ronaldo signed five major endorsement deals in 2020. These include Altice, DAZN, Herbalife, MTG, Nike, and Unilever.

He is the first athlete to cross 500 million followers on social media. Portuguese Football Federation named the legendary player Ronaldo the best Portuguese player ever in 2015. The following year, he led Portugal to their first major triumph by winning Euro 2016 and receiving a Silver Boot for the second-highest goalscorer in the competition.

A record-breaking 42 goals earned Ronaldo a FIFA World of the Year Award in 2008. As a teenager, in 2003, Manchester United paid Ronaldo 12 million pounds to join the club. He was the first Portuguese player ever to play for Manchester United.

 

2. Lionel Messi | $130 Million

Salary & Bonus: $97 Million
Endorsements: $33 Million
Sponsors: Adidas, Gatorade, Huawei, Mastercard, Pepsi

The Argentinean professional footballer Lionel Andrés Messi plays as a forward for both Barcelona and his national team Argentina. He is often referred to as one of the best players globally and one of the greatest football forwards of all time.

Messi earned $130 million in the past 12 months, including a $97 million salary, winning amounts, and endorsements makes him the second on the list of Forbes highest-paid athletes in 2021. He is currently associated with Adidas, Pepsi, Gatorade, Huawei, and Mastercard.

A prolific goalscoring and creative playmaker, he has won a club-record 35 trophies with Barcelona, including ten La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey titles, and four UEFA Champions Leagues. Messi has the most goals in La Liga (474), a La Liga and European league season (50), hat-tricks plus assists in both divisions of La Liga and the UEFA Champions League (8).

Over 750 goals have been scored by him in his senior career for club and country, making him the most prolific striker for a single club. He is also considered among the all-time greats of the richest football club, FC Barcelona.

 

1. Conor McGregor | $180 Million

Salary & Bonus: $22 Million
Endorsements: $158 Million
Sponsors: Electronic Arts, Reebok, Wynn Resorts

Connor Anthony McGregor, known as Conor McGregor, is a professional mixed martial artist from Ireland. Besides, he is also one of the most important athletes right now. His nickname is "Notorious," which came from his coach. McGregor was knocked out by Dustin Poirier in his first UFC fight since January 2020.

But, he collected an estimated $22 million for his efforts. McGregor earned $180 million in the past 12 months, including the $22 million salary and $158 million massive sponsorships makes him the highest-paid athlete of 2021 by Forbes.

Conor endorsed different brands like Monster Energy, Reebok, Beats Electronics, Burger King, Anheuser-Busch InBev, and Budweiser. With his immense earning, he is now dubbed as the richest UFC Fighters in the world.

In 2015, McGregor defeated Jose Aldo in only 13 seconds, earning him the fast-kick record in MMA history. He also holds the two UFC titles simultaneously, as the Featherweight and Lightweight champs. He currently ranks sixth among lightweights in the UFC and fifteenth in men's pound-for-pound.

 

Final Words

So, you must have liked our list of the highest-paid athletes in 2021. If you have any suggestions or feedback regarding this ranking, feel free to leave your opinion in the comment box below.

 

Highest Paid Athletes In The World | Infographic

 

FAQ Regarding Highest-Paid Athletes In 2021

Q. Who is the richest athlete in the world in 2021?

Conor McGregor stole the show this year with US$180 million in total earnings, surpassing football legends Lionel Messi in second place and Cristiano Ronaldo in third place that dominated the charts in the past few years.

Q. Who was the highest paid athlete ever?

Many top sportswear companies, including NIKE and Chevrolet, had extended an unbelievable endorsement contract to the former NBA champion, making Michael Jordan the highest-paid athlete of all time. At one point in his career, the champion was estimated to have received $ 1.5 billion in income from NIKE (before taxes).

Q. Who is the first billionaire athlete?

According to Euro Business magazine in 2005, Michael Schumacher became the first billionaire athlete in history. He was one of the highest-paid athletes in history. Even though he made a lot of money racing with Mercedes and Ferrari, but the majority of his income comes from advertising.

Q. Is Floyd Mayweather a billionaire?

Besides boxing success, Floyd Mayweather is best known as one of the richest athletes on the planet. However, his overall net worth is close to a billion dollars as he has primarily generated his income from big fights.

Q. Who is the richest pro athlete?

Aside from being the most successful NBA player of all time, Jordan is also the richest former professional athlete globally, with a net worth of $1.6 billion. Since retiring in 2003, MJ has built a lucrative career and uses his wealth for charitable purposes.