On May 12, 2021, Forbes released its list of the highest paid (Richest) athletes in the world for 2021, marking the very top earners in the sports industry based on their earnings derived from prize money, salaries, bonuses and endorsements during the past 12 months (between May 1, 2020 to May, 2021).
This year 1st position is captured by MMA fighter Conor McGregor, edging past the two footballer legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who ever on the top positions from last few years. Read on to discover full list and find out how much these Athletes makes.
7 Richest Athletes of 2021 are as follows:
1. Conor McGregor (Net Worth US $180 Million)
Corner Anthony McGregor is an Irish mixed martial artist, boxer and Businessman. He is a former Ultimate Fighting championship featherweight and lightweight double-champion. As of May 17, 2021, he is #5 in the UFC lightweight rankings. McGregor is a former Cage warriors featherweight and lightweight champion.
McGregor has endorsement deals with Beats by Dre, Monster Energy, Reebok, and Bud Light. In early 2018, Mc Gregor signed a deal with Burger King, in 2020 Dystopia and Later in 2021 Roots of Fight. As of 2021, his endorsement deals rounded up to $158Million.
Salary as Athletes – €22 Million Annually
Earnings via Endorsement- US $158 Million Annually
2. Lionel Messi (Net Worth US $126M)
Lionel Andres Messi is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward and captains the Argentina national team. He is currently a free agent having played all his professional career for La Liga club Barcelona, whom he captained since season 2015-16.
Lionel Messi first joined forces with Adidas begin back in 2006. In February 2017, this relationship turn into a lifelong commitment when Messi signed a lifetime deal with the brand. In 2013 associated with Qatar based international Telecommunications Company, Ooredoo. Gatorade, Pepsi, Jacob & Co., Budweiser, Mengniu, Pro Evolution Soccer, Orcam and Messicirque later added to the list.
Salary as Player – €138 Million Annually
Earnings via Endorsement- US $35 Million Annually (as of 2019)
3. Cristiano Ronaldo (Net Worth US $120 Million)
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro GOIH ComM is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Serie A Club Juventus and captains the Portugal National Team. Often Considered the best player in the world and widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Ronaldo has won five Ballons d’Or and four European Golden Shoes, both of which are records for European player.
The partnership between Cristiano and Nike first begam in 2003 and in 2016, he became the third athlete in the history to sign a lifetime deal with the brand. Prior to him, only Michael Jordon and LeBron James were given this wonderful opportunity. Later HerbalLife, Dazn, Clear, MTC, Altice Portugal, Garena Free Fire, American Tourister, Livescore added to his endorsement list.
Apart from this he had made investment in Pestana CR7 Lifestyle Hotels, 7egend, Insparya, CR7 Fitness, CR7 Footwear, CR7 Underwear, CR7 Denim, CR7 Fragrances.
Salary as Player – $70 Million annually
Earnings via Endorsements – $50 Million Annually
Read Top 7 Most Motivating Cristiano Ronaldo Quotes
4. Dak Prescott (Net Worth US $109 Million)
Rayne Dakota Prescott is an American Football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He played college football for the Mississippi State Bulldogs and was selected by the Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Rayne set several rookie quarterback records and was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, and also earned a Pro Bowl selection. His career passer rating of 97.3 currently ranks seventh all-time, tied with Tom Brady.
The Dallas Cowboys quarterback has many association and sponsorship deals to generate off the field income from some of the key sponsorship include the likes of Sleep Number, AT&T, 7/11, Direct TV and Adidas. He also owns a 20% stake in the restaurant chain Walk-On’s.
Salary as Player – $35 Million annually
Earnings via Endorsements – $74 Million Annually
5. LeBron James ( Net Worth US $101.6 Million)
LeBron Raymone James Sr. Is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. Widely considered one of the best NBA players in the history. James frequently compared to Micheal Jordon in debates over the greatest basketball player.
The Lakers star also has well-paid endorsement deals with many brands. Some of his brands endorsements are 2K Sports, AT&T, Beats Electronics, Coca-Cola, GMC, KIA Motors, Nike, RIMOWA and Walmart. He has always been a smart businessman. He owns 14 Blaze Pizza Franchises, a production company, SpringHill Entertainment and a Media House ‘Uninterrupted’.
Salary as Player – $41.6 Million annually
Earnings via Endorsements – $60 Million Annually
6. Neymar (Net Worth US $100 Million)
Neymar da Silva Santos Junior, known as Neymar, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and the Brazil National Team. He is widely regarded as one of the best players in the world.
He signed with Puma last September as his official personal sport equipment supplier, ending his fifteen year association with Nike. His other endorsements are Red Bull, Turma Da Monica, Fan The Flame Comics, Replay Jeans, GAGA Milano, Digible, Diesel Fragrances, Qatar Airways, Qatar National Bank, Altice Portugal, Dazn, Triller, Pokerstars, Superdry, NR Sports and Epic Games.
Salary as Player – $36.8 Million annually
Earnings via Endorsements – $63.2 Million Annually
7. Roger Federer (Net Worth US $84 Million)
Roger Federer is a Swiss professional tennis player. He is ranked No. 8 in the world by the Association of Tennis Professionals. He has won 20 Grand Slam men’s singles titles, an all-time record shared with Rafael Nadal.
After initially signing a 5 year endorsement deal with watchmaker Maurice Lacroix from 2004-2009, the swiss Maestro ended the deal just two years into it as he had been approached by Rolex to sign a multi-year contract. The new deal earns him around US $9 million a year. His other endorsements include Mercedes Benz, Credit Suisse, On Running, Jura Elektroapparate, Moet & Chandon, Barilla, Lindt, Wilson, Uniqlo, Netjets, Sunrise and Rimowa.
Federer invested in On Running, Netjets and Team8.
So many names are waiting to enter in the list of ‘Richest Athletes of the World 2022’. What’s your opinion ? Jot down the names of all those Athletes who will make their dream true in 2022.
Happy Reading 🙂
Yatindra Pandey is the Founder of Motivational Dreams and studying self-development, personal finance and investment for last 3 years. Yatindra’s mission is simply, to inspire others to live their dreams and be the person to whom they say, ” Because of you, I never gave up. “
