In this article, we would be looking into the list of the highest paid/richest athletes in 2020. This list is compiled based on numerous researches, with the Forbes magazine being our major source of reference.
Over the course of three decades, the list has seen only seven athletes taken the top spot, with Tiger wood holding the record of being on the top spot the most. His record of 12 top spot stay is unmatched by none. This year, Lionel Messi, becomes the eight athletes to hit the top spot, he’s the second footballer player to achieve this feat after Cristiano Ronaldo.
Below is the list of the top earning athletes:
1st Richest Athletes In 2020 – LIONEL MESSI
Lionel Messi is the second ever soccer player to top the list and the fourth in the last 19 years. Tiger Wood, Floyd Mayweather and Cristiano Ronaldo have been the ones topping in the last 19 years. Tiger wood topped for a record 12 times, with Floyd and Ronaldo making it to the top four times and two times respectively.
2nd Richest Athletes In 2020 – CRISTIANO RONALDO
Juventus sold a mammoth of 520,000 Ronaldo Jerseys which worth over $60,000 within 24hrs of is €112m move from Real Madrid last year. He’s idolized by many and he’s currently the most followed celebrity on social media.
3rd Richest Athletes In 2020 – NEYMAR DOS SANTOS JUNIOR
4th Richest Athletes In 2020 – CANELO ALVAREZ
His total earning for the year is estimated to be $94m with the extra $2m coming from endorsement deals with DAZN and Everlast.
5th Richest Athletes In 2020 – ROGER FEDERER
He earned $86m through endorsement deals with brands like Credit Suisse, Mercedes-Benz and Rolex. His off-court appearance and endorsement deal revenue is estimated to be $93.4m.
6th Richest Athletes In 2020 – RUSSELL WILSON
RUSSELL WILSON – The American football superstar is NFL’s highest-paid player after signing a contract extension deal with his current club Seattle Seahawks. The six-time Pro Bowler doubles has the brand management company West2East Empire, CEO. He pocketed $80.5m in salary and earned a further $9m from endorsement deals with brands like Amazon, Mercedes, Nike etc.
7th Richest Athletes In 2020 – AARON RODGERS
Rodgers boast of the highest passer rate in NFL, the 7-times Pro Bowler and two times MVP winner earned $89.3m in the last American football calendar. He partners with Prevea, Panini, Adidas amongst others.
8th Richest Athletes In 2020 – LeBRON JAMES
LeBron James also owns a foundation that his aimed at sending undedicated kids to college. It is reported that he earned $89m in the year under review.
9th Richest Athletes In 2020 – STEPHEN CURRY
10th Richest Athletes In 2020 – KEVIN DURANT
KEVIN DURANT – According to Forbes, the third basket player on this list Durant is the tenth highest player on this list. He earns the same $35m from endorsement deal with Lionel Messi, his sponsors includes Google, Alaska Air Group, Nike among others. He also owns a Foundation which is aimed at bringing College Track academic program to his hometown, Maryland. He launched the project 2018 and it’s reported to cost $10m.
There you have it, the list of the highest earning athletes in 2020. The list featured three soccer players, one boxing and tennis stars, two Rugby players and three basketball players. Soccer and Basketball ties as the joint most represented sport on the list.