Forbes has released the annual list of the hundred highest paid athletes in the world. Most of the places in the top ten were “captured” by basketball players, however, losing the first position to the star of Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo. And the only woman in the ranking was Serena Williams (51st place).
Here's what it looks like top 10 richest athletes of 2017.
10. Lewis Hamilton (auto racing)
Revenue - $ 46 million
Few drivers entered Formula 1 as brilliantly as Lewis Hamilton. His sensational race in 2007, in which Hamilton lost just one point to champion Kimi Raikkonen, remains one of the most remarkable newcomer campaigns in history. In subsequent years, the British rider won three world championships and established himself as one of the most aggressive and tough riders in the world. Simply put, when it comes to driving a Formula 1 car, there are very few areas in which Hamilton is not an absolute champion. He has a contract for 140 million euros with the Mercedes factory team until the end of 2018.
9. James Harden (basketball)
Revenue - $ 46.6 million
The NBA superstar playing for the Houston Rockets team is famous not only for her victories, but also for her gorgeous beard, which has become a popular print for T-shirts, inspired songs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMbibT7nhEg&feature= player_embedded #!) and even has a separate Twitter account. Because of her, the 27-year-old athlete looks older than she really is. Harden has an ad contract with Adidas totaling $ 200 million.
8. Stephen Curry (basketball)
Revenue - $ 47.3 Million
In May 2016, Curry became the first person to be called the most valuable player in NBA history by unanimous vote, and one of the 11 players to receive the MVP (Most Valuable Player, most valuable player) award for two consecutive years. Curry has contracts with several companies, including Under Armor and Unilever, a manufacturer of sportswear and accessories (in this case, a brave basketball player advertises Degree men's deodorant).
7. Rory McIlroy (golf)
Earned - $ 50 million
Together with Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, McIlroy is one of three players who have won three “majors” by the age of 25. This golfer from Northern Ireland is the current face of the EA Sports PGA Tour series.
6. Andrew Luck (American Football)
Received for 2016-2017. - 50 million dollars
Indianapolis Colts player in quarterback position. In 2016, Luck extended the contract with his club for six years. For this, he will receive $ 140 million, which makes the athlete the highest paid player in the league.
5. Kevin Durant (basketball)
Annual earnings - 60.6 million dollars
NBA super forward has multimillion dollar advertising deals with Under Armor, Foot Locker and Nike. He is the highest paid athlete in the Rio Olympics. At the same time, the black-skinned giant is known not only as one of the best basketball players of all time, but also as a philanthropist, artist and writer. And in 2012, he tried his hand at cinema, appearing in the film "How struck by thunder." True, the film received cool reviews from both viewers and critics, but this is not Durant's fault.
4. Roger Federer (tennis)
Financial income - $ 64 million
The only tennis player on the list of the richest celebrities from the world of sports in 2017 is known for his good deeds. He founded the Federer Foundation, which helps children in the poorest regions of the world. And Federer, in his native Switzerland, is nicknamed the “sandwich man” for a large number of sponsorship contracts. Giants such as Mercedes-Benz, Credit Suisse Bank, Rolex, Gillette and Nike are in his piggy bank.
3. Lionel Messi (football)
Revenues - $ 80 million
The top three athletes with the highest earnings in 2017 are opened by the captain of Barcelona and the eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo for the title of best football player in the world. Messi played in three world championships (2006, 2010 and 2014) and three football Cups of America (2007, 2011 and 2015). In the summer of 2008, he also played at the Beijing Olympics, and returned home with a gold medal. Messi earns his millions not only on the football field, he has advertising contracts with Adidas, Turkish Airlines, Lays and other brands.
2. LeBron James (basketball)
Earned - 86.2 dollars
The best NBA player has also become the highest paid basketball player in the world, and has every chance next year to oust the current king of the sports ranking of the rich. Not bad for a young man who got into the 2003 NBA draft right from high school. James has a lifetime contract with Nike, as well as agreements with Coca-Cola and Kia.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (football)
Received over the past year - 93 million dollars
The fact that superstar Cristiano Ronaldo will head the rating of the highest paid sports stars according to Forbrs was quite expected, given that he had, perhaps, the most successful 12 months in the history of football. In addition to the recent victory in the UEFA Champions League, Ronaldo also won the title of best player in the domestic La Liga, and won the European Championship with the Portuguese national team. And in December 2016, the football player was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player in the world. He has renewed a contract with Real Madrid, which will pay Cristiano over $ 50 million a year for the next four years.
