Sports is a constantly growing industry with several new leagues and tournaments. Sports personalities are growing more and more popular in the countries even leaving behind celebrities. Athletes are earning more with the increasing popularity of sports in every corner of the world. They are paid loads of money for playing to represent their country.
List of the Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes in 2022
1. Lionel Messi
Football is associated with Messi and is famous all over the globe. There is no doubt that he is on this list as he is so popular amongst all sports fans. Lionel Messi earns $20 million from his brand deals with Adidas, Budweiser, and PepsiCo. Messi also became the first athlete to become the brand ambassador of Hard Rock International. He won his seventh Ballon d’Or in 2021 and is amongst the top goal scorers in the world. Messi made around $130 million from 2021 to 2022.
2. Lebron James
James is presently the leading Basketball player on the earth. He plays for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA. Last year Lebron starred in Space Jam: A New Legacy and got his talk show from HBO to Youtube. He also sold a significant stake in SpringHill, a production company behind both projects with a valuation of $725 million. It boosted his net worth to $850 million. He earns an estimated 121.2 million dollars a year from his endorsements and games.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is the world’s most famous sports celebrity and is also the most followed sports personality. He has 690 million followers across all social media and receives his leading paychecks from endorsements. Ronaldo’s social media presence is unlike any other sports personality. His per post charge is sky high, and he is the brand ambassador of Nike, Herbalife, and Clear shampoo. Cristiano Ronaldo on average $115 million a year.
4. Neymar
Neymar recently completed the 400th goal of his career in November. He emerged as a young star from Brazil and in the last couple of years went on to take the world by storm. Neymar Jr. is associated with Puma and Red Bull, there’s also a docuseries on his life named Neymar: The Perfect Chaos. Jr. is likely to play his final FIFA World Cup, and he earns most of his income playing in leagues. Neymar nets $95 million, with 80% of his income coming from playing football.
5. Stephen Curry
No NBA player has risen quickly like Stephen Curry. He made a $215 million extension last year and made approximately $48 million on the court. Curry got a new FTX endorsement deal that also included equity stakes. He also released collections of NFTs featuring his sneakers. Stephen Curry makes $92.8 million a year, with roughly more than half through off-field work.
6. Kevin Durant
Durant is an NBA player, playing for Brooklyn Nets. He signed a $32 million sneaker deal with Nike. He has invested his income in thirty-five business ventures with his business expanding from NFTs, Digital Fitness, and many more. Kevin Durant earns $92.1 million per year, with most of his income coming from off-field revenues.
7. Roger Federer
Federer is the most popular Tennis player in the World. He is the former World No.1 and has won major Opens and Title series. Federer promotes brands like Uniqlo and Rolex and has invested in a Swiss shoe brand. Roger’s annual income is $90.7 million, with over 90% coming from off-field revenues.
8. Canelo Alvarez
Canelo Alvarez is the top draw in boxing earning $40 million. Alvarez has partnered with Hennessy and owns two Taco restaurants in his native country, Mexico. Last year Canelo said he’ll be launching gas stations and a series of fights in Mexico. He earns $90 million with prominent revenue from the rings.
9. Tom Brady
Brady is an NFL player representing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and is still playing after a brief retirement. He formed a platform called Autograph an NFT platform raising $170 million in a Series B funding. Tom also founded Religion of Sports, a production company in partnership with football player Michael Strahan and filmmaker Gotham Chopra. He has played over twenty-two NFL seasons with $375 million in earnings. Tom Brady has an average income of $83.9, with more income coming off-field.
10. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis is the only sports person in his 20s featuring as the highest-earning sports person. He just cut the list with Neymar turning 30. Antetokounmpo signed a five-year deal of $228 million in 2020 and is a two-time MVP. He is also an investor in the resale platform WatchBox received $165 million in funding and licensed an NFT deal with NFTSTAR. Giannis earns $80.9 million, with off-field earnings surpassing on-field.
Also Read: World Athletics Championship 2022: Full List of Indian Athletes Qualified, Timing, Venue, and Schedule
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