Highest Paid Athletes 2020
The following list shows the highest-paid athletes of modern times plus the lists for Highest Paid Athletes 2020 and every years lists from 2012 measured in United States dollars, as of 2017.
The list is only about modern time athletes. For example, Gaius Appuleius Diocles, a Roman Chariot racer is said to have earned 35,863,120 sesterces, by some estimation over $15 billion in today’s dollars.This means he would be the best paid athlete of all time, derived from an extrapolation that his wealth would have been enough to fund the entire Roman Army for more than two months, “the apt comparison is what it takes to pay the wages of the American armed forces for the same period.” The 2020 list has for the first time in history a tennis player on top. Roger Federer of Switzerland made 100 million dollars in endorsements and another 6.3 in earnings from playing tennis.
Highest Paid Athletes 2020 list
The 2020 list is topped by 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer. This marks the first year ever a tennis player is on top of the money list.
| Rank | Name | Sport | Nation | Total Earnings | Salary/winnings | Endorsements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roger Federer | Tennis |  Switzerland |
$106.3 million | $6.3 million | $100 million |
| 2 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Association football |  Portugal |
$105 million | $60 million | $45 million |
| 3 | Lionel Messi | Association football |  Argentina |
$104 million | $72 million | $32 million |
| 4 | Neymar | Association football |  Brazil |
$95.5 million | $70.5 million | $25 million |
| 5 | LeBron James | Basketball |  United States |
$88.2 million | $28.2 million | $60 million |
| 6 | Stephen Curry | Basketball | United States |
$74.4 million | $30.4 million | $44 million |
| 7 | Kevin Durant | Basketball | United States |
$63.9 million | $28.9 million | $35 million |
| 8 | Tiger Woods | Golf | United States |
$62.3 million | $2.3 million | $60 million |
| 9 | Kirk Cousins | American football | United States |
$60.5 million | $58 million | $2.5 million |
| 10 | Carson Wentz | American football | United States |
$59.1 million | $55.1 million | $4 million |
Roger Federer, who has the best endorsement portfolio in sports, is just the ninth athlete to have landed in the top spot since 1990, the first year Forbes began tracking athletes’ earnings. He is also the first tennis player in the 30-year history to land at No. 1 after drawing $100 million off the court, thanks to deals with Uniqlo, Credit Suisse and Mercedes-Benz and 10 other partners. Ronaldo earned $45 million from Nike, Altice, Herbalife and his own CR7 brand, while Messi pulled in $32 million from Adidas, MasterCard and PepsiCo. Novak Djokovic is number 23 and Rafael Nadal is number 27 on the Highest Paid Athletes Money List of 2020.
Athletes from 21 countries and 10 sports make the final cut this year, as do two women — Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams – the first time more than one woman has made the ranks since 2016, when Williams appeared with Maria Sharapova. Osaka, who earned $3.4 million in tournament pay, is another dream endorser, collecting $34 million from brands including Nike, Nissan Motor and Procter & Gamble. No female athlete from any other sport besides tennis has ever made this elite rank.
Highest Paid Athletes – All Time
Michael Jordan is on top of the list where 15-time Major winner and friend Tiger Woods comes in second.
| Rank | Name | Sport | Nation | Total earnings million us dollars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Jordan | Basketball | United States |
1,850 |
| 2 | Tiger Woods | Golf | United States |
1,700 |
| 3 | Arnold Palmer | Golf | United States |
1,400 |
| 4 | Jack Nicklaus | Golf | United States |
1,200 |
| 5 | Michael Schumacher | Auto racing |  Germany |
1,000 |
| 6 | Phil Mickelson | Golf | United States |
815 |
| 7 | Kobe Bryant | Basketball | United States |
800 |
| David Beckham | Association football |  England |
||
| 9 | Floyd Mayweather Jr. | Boxing | United States |
785 |
| 10 | Shaquille O’Neal | Basketball | United States |
735 |
Highest Paid Athletes 2010-2019
The last decades athletes money list.
| Rank | Name | Sport | Nation | Total Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Floyd Mayweathe r | Boxing | United States |
$915 million |
| 2 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Football | Portugal |
$800 million |
| 3 | Lionel Messi | Football | Argentina |
$750 million |
| 4 | LeBron James | Basketball | United States |
$680 million |
| 5 | Roger Federer | Tennis | Switzerland |
$640 million |
| 6 | Tiger Woods | Golf | United States |
$615 million |
| 7 | Phil Mickelson | Golf | United States |
$480 million |
| 8 | Manny Pacquiao | Boxing |  Philippines |
$435 million |
| 9 | Kevin Durant | Basketball | United States |
$425 million |
| 10 | Lewis Hamilton | Auto racing |  United Kingdom |
$400 million |
Highest Paid Athletes 2019
The 2019 hiighest paid athletes list.
| Rank. | Name | Sport | Nation | Total | Salary/Winnings | Endorsements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lionel Messi | Association football | Argentina |
$127 million | $92 million | $35 million |
| 2 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Association football | Portugal |
$109 million | $65 million | $44 million |
| 3 | Neymar | Association football | Brazil |
$105 million | $75 million | $30 million |
| 4 | Canelo Álvarez | Boxing |  Mexico |
$94 million | $92 million | $2 million |
| 5 | Roger Federer | Tennis | Switzerland |
$93.4 million | $7.4 million | $86 million |
| 6 | Russell Wilson | American football | United States |
$89.5 million | $80.5 million | $9 million |
| 7 | Aaron Rodgers | American football | United States |
$89.3 million | $80.3 million | $9 million |
| 8 | LeBron James | Basketball | United States |
$89 million | $36 million | $53 million |
| 9 | Stephen Curry | Basketball | United States |
$79.8 million | $37.8 million | $42 million |
| 10 | Kevin Durant | Basketball | United States |
$65.4 million | $30.4 million | $35 million |
Highest Paid Athletes 2018
The 2018 hiighest paid athletes list.
| Rank | Name | Sport | Nation. | Total | Salary/Winnings | Endorsements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Floyd Mayweather | Boxing | United States |
$285 million | $275 million | $10 million |
| 2 | Lionel Messi | football | Argentina |
$111 million | $84 million | $27 million |
| 3 | Cristiano Ronaldo | football | Portugal |
$108 million | $61 million | $47 million |
| 4 | Conor McGregor | MMA |  Republic of Ireland |
$99 million | $85 million | $14 million |
| 5 | Neymar | football | Brazil |
$90 million | $73 million | $17 million |
| 6 | LeBron James | Basketball | United States |
$85.5 million | $33.5 million | $52 million |
| 7 | Roger Federer | Tennis | Switzerland |
$77.2 million | $12.2 million | $65 million |
| 8 | Stephen Curry | Basketball | United States |
$76.9 million | $34.9 million | $42 million |
| 9 | Matt Ryan | American football | United States |
$67.3 million | $62.3 million | $5 million |
| 10 | Matthew Stafford | American football | United States |
$59.5 million | $57.5 million | $2 million |
Highest Paid Athletes 2017
The 2017 hiighest paid athletes list.
| Rank | Name | Sport | Nation | Total | Salary/Winnings | Endorsements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | football | Portugal |
$93 million | $58 million | $35 million |
| 2 | LeBron James | Basketball | United States |
$86.2 million | $31.2 million | $55 million |
| 3 | Lionel Messi | football | Argentina |
$80 million | $53 million | $27 million |
| 4 | Roger Federer | Tennis | Switzerland |
$64 million | $6 million | $58 million |
| 5 | Kevin Durant | Basketball | United States |
$60.6 million | $26.6 million | $34 million |
| 6 | Andrew Luck | American football | United States |
$50 million | $47 million | $3 million |
| 6 | Rory McIlroy | Golf |  Northern Ireland. |
$50 million | $16 million | $34 million |
| 8 | Stephen Curry | Basketball | United States |
$47.3 million | $12.3 million | $35 million |
| 9 | James Harden | Basketball | United States |
$46.6 million | $26.6 million | $20 million |
| 10 | Lewis Hamilton | Auto racing | United Kingdom |
$46 million | $38 million | $8 million |
Highest Paid Athletes 2016
The 2016 hiighest paid athletes list.
| Rank | Name | Sport | Nation | Total | Salary/Winnings | Endorsements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | football | Portugal |
$88 million | $56 million | $32 million |
| 2 | Lionel Messi | football | Argentina |
$81.4 million | $53.4 million | $28 million |
| 3 | LeBron James | Basketball | United States |
$77.2 million | $23.2 million | $54 million |
| 4 | Roger Federer | Tennis | Switzerland |
$67.8 million | $7.8 million | $60 million |
| 5 | Kevin Durant | Basketball | United States |
$56.2 million | $20.2 million | $36 million |
| 6 | Novak Djokovic | Tennis |  Serbia |
$55.8 million | $21.8 million | $34 million |
| 7 | Cam Newton | American football | United States |
$53.1 million | $41.1 million | $12 million |
| 8 | Phil Mickelson | Golf | United States |
$52.9 million | $2.9 million | $50 million |
| 9 | Jordan Spieth | Golf | United States |
$52.8 million | $20.8 million | $32 million |
| 10 | Kobe Bryant | Basketball | United States |
$50 million | $25 million | $25 million |
Highest Paid Athletes 2015
The 2015 hiighest paid athletes list.
| Rank | Name | Sport | Nation | Total | Salary/Winnings | Endorsements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Floyd Mayweather Jr. | Boxing | United States |
$300 million | $285 million | $15 million |
| 2 | Manny Pacquiao | Boxing | Philippines |
$160 million | $148 million | $12 million |
| 3 | Cristiano Ronaldo | football | Portugal |
$79.6 million | $52.6 million | $27 million |
| 4 | Lionel Messi | football | Argentina |
$73.8 million | $51.8 million | $22 million |
| 5 | Roger Federer | Tennis | Switzerland |
$67 million | $9 million | $58 million |
| 6 | LeBron James | Basketball | United States |
$64.8 million | $20.8 million | $44 million |
| 7 | Kevin Durant | Basketball | United States |
$54.1 million | $19.1 million | $35 million |
| 8 | Phil Mickelson | Golf | United States |
$50.8 million | $2.8 million | $48 million |
| 9 | Tiger Woods | Golf | United States |
$50.6 million | $0.6 million | $50 million |
| 10 | Kobe Bryant | Basketball | United States |
$49.5 million | $23.5 million | $26 million |
Highest Paid Athletes 2014
The 2014 hiighest paid athletes list.
| Rank | Name | Sport | Nation | Total | Salary/Winnings | Endorsements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Floyd Mayweather Jr. | Boxing | United States |
$105 million | $105 million | $0 |
| 2 | Cristiano Ronaldo | football | Portugal |
$80 million | $52 million | $28 million |
| 3 | LeBron James | Basketball | United States |
$72.3 million | $19.3 million | $53 million |
| 4 | Lionel Messi | football | Argentina |
$64.7 million | $41.7 million | $23 million |
| 5 | Kobe Bryant | Basketball | United States |
$61.5 million | $30.5 million | $31 million |
| 6 | Tiger Woods | Golf | United States |
$61.2 million | $6.2 million | $55 million |
| 7 | Roger Federer | Tennis | Switzerland |
$56.2 million | $4.2 million | $52 million |
| 8 | Phil Mickelson | Golf | United States |
$53.2 million | $5.2 million | $48 million |
| 9 | Rafael Nadal | Tennis |  Spain |
$44.5 million | $14.5 million | $30 million |
| 10 | Matt Ryan | American football | United States |
$43.8 million | $42 million | $1.8 million |
Highest Paid Athletes 2013
The 2013 hiighest paid athletes list.
| Rank | Name | Sport | Nation | Total | Salary/Winnings | Endorsements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tiger Woods | Golf | United States |
$78.1 million | $13.1 million | $65 million |
| 2 | Roger Federer | Tennis | Switzerland |
$71.5 million | $6.5 million | $65 million |
| 3 | Kobe Bryant | Basketball | United States. |
$61.9 million | $27.9 million | $34 million |
| 4 | LeBron James | Basketball | United States |
$59.8 million | $17.8 million | $42 million |
| 5 | Drew Brees | American football | United States |
$51 million | $40 million | $11 million |
| 6 | Aaron Rodgers | American football. | United States |
$49 million | $43 million | $6 million |
| 7 | Phil Mickelson | Golf | United States |
$48.7 million | $4.7 million | $44 million |
| 8 | David Beckham | football | England |
$47.2 million | $5.2 million | $42 million |
| 9 | Cristiano Ronaldo | football | Portugal |
$44 million | $23 million | $21 million |
| 10 | Lionel Messi | football | Argentina |
$41.3 million | $20.3 million | $21 million |
Highest Paid Athletes 2012
The 2012 hiighest paid athletes list. The 2012 list was released on 18 June 2012.
| Rank | Name | Sport | Nationality | Total earnings | Salary/winnings | Endorsements. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Floyd Mayweather Jr. | Boxing | United States |
$85 million | $85 million | $0 |
| 2 | Manny Pacquiao | Boxing | Philippines |
$62 million | $56 million | $6 million |
| 3 | Tiger Woods | Golf | United States |
$59.4 million | $4.4 million | $55 million |
| 4 | LeBron James | Basketball | United States |
$53 million | $13 million | $40 million |
| 5 | Roger Federer | Tennis | Switzerland |
$52.7 million | $7.7 million | $45 million |
| 6 | Kobe Bryant | Basketball | United States |
$52.3 million | $20.3 million | $32 million |
| 7 | Phil Mickelson | Golf | United States |
$47.8 million | $4.8 million | $43 million |
| 8 | David Beckham | football | England |
$46 million | $9 million | $37 million |
| 9 | Cristiano Ronaldo | football | Portugal | $42.5 million | $20.5 million | $22 million |
| 10 | Peyton Manning | American football | United States |
$42.4 million | $32.4 million | $10 million |
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