This archive report was first published on 23 August 2020.
According to Forbes, the world's highest-paid athletes have earned a combined Sh50 billion in 2020, a 9% decrease from 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The figures, which include earnings from June 1, 2019, to June 1, 2020, have been compiled from Forbes' annual list of the world's billionaires.
Top 5 Highest-Paid Athletes ¶
- Roger Federer, the 38-year-old tennis star, tops the list with a net worth of $450 million and earnings of Sh11.8 billion ($109 million) in 2020.
Of his earnings, $86 million came from endorsements with companies like Credit Suisse, Rolex, and Mercedes Benz.
- Cristiano Ronaldo, the 35-year-old Juventus star, has a net worth of $460 million and earns Sh11.3 billion ($105 million) a year, including $45 million in endorsements and $60 million in annual salary/winnings at Juventus.
- Lionel Messi, the 33-year-old FIFA Best Player and Balon D'or winner, has a net worth of $400 million and earned Sh11.2 billion ($104 million) in 2020, including $32 million from endorsements and $72 million in wages/winnings.
- Neymar, the 29-year-old Paris Saint-Germain superstar, has a net worth of $185 million and earns an estimated $70.5 million a year from PSG, with $25 million from endorsements.
- LeBron James, the 38-year-old NBA's highest-paid player, has a net worth of $450 million and earns Sh9.6 billion ($88.2 million) a year, including $53 million off the court.
The Richest Athletes in the World ¶
- Michael Jordan, the 57-year-old American retired professional basketball player, has a net worth of $2.2 billion, with the majority of his wealth ($1.7 billion) coming from sponsorship deals and corporate partners.
- Ion Tiriac, the 82-year-old retired Romanian tennis player turned financier, has a net worth of $1.2 billion, earned through his business and investment ventures.
- Tiger Woods, the 45-year-old American professional golfer, has a net worth of $740 million, with endorsements coming in at $60 million for the year and $2.3 million on-course earnings.
- Magic Johnson, the 63-year-old American former professional basketball player, has a net worth of $600 million, earned through his business ventures and investments.
