Forbes has released its latest list of the highest paid athletes in the past 12 months.
American boxer Floyd Mayweather tops the list for the second time in three years. He earned a total of $105 million from his fights, becoming the second athlete to break the $100 million per year line. The first one to earn at least $100 million in one year was Tiger Woods. In the Forbes report, the bout between Mayweather and Canelo Alvarez garnered the highest pay-per-view gross with $150 million, live gate with $20 million and total revenue with about $200 million.
Cristiano Ronaldo is No. 2 with $80 million, $28 million of which came from endorsements for companies like Nike. He recently inked a deal worth $206 million with Real Madrid for five years.
NBA superstar LeBron James is at No. 3 on the Forbes list, earning $72.3 million, $53 million of which came from endorsements for brands like Nike, Coca-Cola and McDonald's. James made several millions after Beats, which he was shareholder of, was bought by Apple for $3 billion.
At number four is Argentine soccer legend Lionel Messi with $64.7 million, $23 million of which came from endorsements for Adidas and Turkish Airlines. He recently signed a contract to remain at Camp Nou until 2018, where he is set to earn over $50 million per year.
Sporteology.com wrote that NBA superstar Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers earned $61.5 million, $31 million of which came from endorsement deals. He earns close to $30.5 million from playing.
Tiger Woods is in sixth place with $61.2 million. He only earned $6.2 million from his salary and winnings but received a commanding $55 million from endorsements. His deal with Nike continues to be lucrative with the golf division sales of the sports brand registering $791 in 2013.
Tennis star Roger Federer earned $56.5 million in the past 12 months, getting the number seven spot. He earned $4.2 million from playing and $52 million from endorsements. He holds the record for highest career prize money at $81 million.
In a report by International Business Times, golfer Phil Mickelson is at No. 8 with $53.2 million. He earned $5.2 million from his salary and winnings and $48 million from endorsements.
Rafael Nadal is at No. 9 with $44.5 million. He got $30 million from endorsement deals.
Rounding out the top ten is NFL player Matt Ryan of the Falcons with $43.8 million, $42 million of which came from his salary alone. He signed a contract for five years in 2013, valued at $103.75 million, including a signing bonus of $28 million and an option bonus of $12 million.
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