Who are the top 10 paid athletes of all-time? Four golfers make the top 10 list along with two basketball players and two football (soccer) players.
These athletes have earned their fortunes through a combination of salaries, bonuses, endorsements, and investments.
Here’s a breakdown of how some of these athletes get paid:
Michael Jordan earned the majority of his wealth through his lucrative endorsement deals with Nike, Gatorade, Hanes, and others. He also made significant money from his ownership stake in the Charlotte Hornets.
Tiger Woods earned most of his money from endorsements with Nike, EA Sports, and Rolex, as well as his prize money from golf tournaments.
Arnold Palmer earned most of his money from his ownership stake in Arnold Palmer Enterprises, which includes golf courses, a beverage company, and other ventures.
Jack Nicklaus earned most of his money from his successful golf career and his course design business.
LeBron James earns most of his money from his endorsement deals with Nike, Coca-Cola, and other companies, as well as his salary from playing basketball for teams like the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Lakers.
Cristiano Ronaldo earns most of his money from his endorsement deals with Nike, Coca-Cola, and other companies, as well as his salary from playing soccer for clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.
Roger Federer earns most of his money from his endorsement deals with brands such as Rolex, Credit Suisse, Uniqlo, Mercedes-Benz, and Moet & Chandon, among others.
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The top 10 paid athletes of all-time are:
- Michael Jordan – $3.3B
- Tiger Woods – $2.5B
- Arnold Palmer – $1.7B
- Jack Nicklaus – $1.63B
- Cristiano Ronaldo – $1.58B
- LeBron James – $1.53B
- Lionel Messi – $1.48B
- Floyd Mayweather – $1.41B
- Roger Federer – $1.38B
- Phil Mickelson – $1.36B
