[onepage]
[gallerypage]
Playing sports professionally requires a lot hard work, discipline and sacrifice. Top athletes receive large sums of money to stay on top of their art, and to entertain their fans. As a consequence, the multi-billion dollar business of sports has created millionaires. In addition to their large contracts, top athletes amass millions of dollars in endorsements and sponsorships. Forbes Magazine recently released its annual ranking of highest-paid celebrities (between June 1, 2014 and June 1, 2015) and this year, most of the highest earning athletes come from the boxing world, the basketball courts, and the European football pitches.
10. Kobe Bryant
The 36-year-old Laker earned $49.5 million. He made $23.5 million in salary and $26 million in endorsements.
[/gallerypage]
[gallerypage]
9. Tiger Woods
The professional golfer earned $50.5 million dollars. He is no longer the highest compensated golfer. This is partly due to the many injuries he suffered this season.
[/gallerypage]
[gallerypage]
8. Phil Mickelson
The highest compensated golfer title goes to Phil Mickelson, who made $51 million dollars. That is half a million more than what Tiger Woods earned.
[/gallerypage]
[gallerypage]
7. Kevin Durant
The 26-year-old basketball player made $54 million dollars last year. $35 million of which were earned on endorsements such as his signature line with Nike and his deal with the famous fast-food chain Sonic.
[/gallerypage]
[gallerypage]
6. LeBron James
King James’s earnings amounted to $64 million. As you must be aware, the 30-year-old Cleveland guard is Nike’s darling. He earned $44 million in endorsements last year.
[/gallerypage]
[gallerypage]
5. Roger Federer
Roger Federer is the only tennis player to make this top 10 list. He earned $67 million dollars last year, of which $58 million were in endorsements. He is the top athlete in terms of endorsement earnings in this ranking.
[/gallerypage]
[gallerypage]
4. Lionel Messi
Last year, the 28-year-old FC Barcelona striker made $74 million. One thing changed from last year: he is no longer is the highest-paid football player.
[/gallerypage]
[gallerypage]
3. Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo made $79.5 million dollars last year. He is the new highest paid football player. The Portuguese footballer recently sold his image rights to Singaporean tycoon Peter Lim.
[/gallerypage]
[gallerypage]
2. Manny Pacquiao
Filipino boxer and congressman Manny Pacquiao comes in second on this list. He earned $160 million last year. The boxer made $12 million in endorsements and cashed in the hefty sum of $125 million after his latest fight against Floyd Mayweather.
[/gallerypage]
[gallerypage]
1. Floyd Mayweather
Floyd “Money” Mayweather remains the highest paid athlete of the year. This is the third time in four years that his name figures on the number one spot. Floyd earned $300 million last year, which is more than the combined earnings of Ronaldo and Pacquiao. The undefeated boxer earned $285 million over the last 12 months in the ring, and $15 million in endorsement deals. This is a new record for athlete earnings, which was previously held by golfer Tiger Woods, who made $115 million in 2008.
SEE ALSO: World’s Wealthiest Men of All Time. #1 Will Make Your Jaw Drop.
[/gallerypage]
[/onepage]
