Highest Paid Athletes 2014: Ronaldo, James, Federer & More!

Forbes recently featured the 100 highest-paid athletes in the world with a number of familiar names at the top of the list. The 100 richest athletes in 2014 garnered $2.75 billion together in a span of one year, and the total combined earnings is up by 5 percent compared to the 2013 list.

In a report by Forbes, the athletes on the list of 100 play ten different sports. The athletes come from 27 countries, with 60 coming from the United States. On the Top 10 list, there was an even combination of American and international athletes. Among them, baseball players constitute the majority with 27 players. Cliff Lee, pitcher of the Philadelphia Phillies, leads the group at No. 30 with $25.3 million in earnings.

There are 18 basketball players, 17 NFL players and 15 soccer players on the list. Indian cricket team captain MS Dhoni (No. 22) and track and field star Usain Bolt (No. 45), also made the list. Meanwhile, the richest NHL player for 2014, Sidney Crosby, failed to make the cut despite earning $16.5 million.  

Undefeated boxer Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr. continues to lead the pack of 100, earning about $105 million in the last 12 months. Mayweather is the second athlete who earned at least $100 million in the Forbes annual list. The first athlete was Tiger Woods. Mayweather's fight against Canelo Alvarez was also the highest in pay-per-view history with $150 million.

After Mayweather, soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo is at No. 2 with $80 million. Basketball superstar LeBron James of the Miami Heat follows at No. 3 with $72.3 million. Lionel Messi ranks 4th with $41.7 million.

In 5th place is Kobe Bryant who made $61.5 million despite missing the remainder of the NBA season. At No. 6 is golfer Tiger Woods with $61.2 million. Tennis star Roger Federer made $56.2 million securing the 7th spot while Golfer Phil Mickelson who made $53.2 million ranks 8th. Taking his place at the 9th spot is Tennis player Rafael Nadal who made $44.5 million while NFL player Matt Ryan, who leads the 29 newcomers to the list, made $41.8 million and rounds out the Top 10 list.

Three women in tennis in the 2013 Forbes list are still in after one year, namely Maria Sharapova at No. 34 with $24.4 million in earnings, Li Na at No. 41 with $23.6 million and Serena Williams at No. 55 with $22 million. 

According to the Los Angeles Times, the figures include all the salaries, bonuses and endorsements made by the athletes from June 1, 2013 to June 1, 2014.