Sports

Roger Federer Takes The Top Spot In Forbes’ 2020 Highest-Paid Athletes List

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roger federer 2020 highest paid athletes forbes

Getty Image / ASANKA BRENDON RATNAYAKE


Forbes’ 2020 list of the world’s highest-paid athletes has been revealed and legendary tennis star Roger Federer holds the top spot with $106.3 million in total earnings from salary, endorsements and winnings.

Naomi Osaka surpassed Serena Williams as the highest-ranking woman in the world with $37.4 million taking the 29th overall spot on the list while Williams holds the No. 33 spot.

Athletes from 21 different countries made the list with the U.S. taking the majority of the spots, increasing from 62 athletes last year to 68 athletes this year. It’s also worth noting that Lionel Messi agreed to a 70% wage cut for the rest of the season in March as did the rest of his Barcelona teammates, so he took a rather sizeable $20 million cut.

Here’s a look at this year’s Top 20 highest-paid athletes bases on earnings from the past 12 months:

  1. Roger Federer: $106.3 million
  2. Cristiano Ronaldo: $105 million
  3. Lionel Messi: $104 million
  4. Neymar: $95.5 million
  5. LeBron James: $88.2 million
  6. Stephen Curry: $74.4 million
  7. Kevin Durant: $63.9 million
  8. Tiger Woods: $62.3 million
  9. Kirk Cousins: 60.5 million
  10. Carson Wentz: $59.1 million
  11. Tyson Fury: $57 million
  12. Russell Westbrook: $57 million
  13. Lewis Hamilton: $54 million
  14. Rory McIlroy: $52 million
  15. Jared Goff: $49 million
  16. Conor McGregor: $48 million
  17. James Harden: $47.8 million
  18. Giannis Antetokounmpo: $47.6 million
  19. Anthony Joshua: $47 million
  20. Deontay Wilder: $46.5 million

Perhaps the most eye-opening numbers involved with the list have to do with sponsorships, endorsements, and appearance fees. According to Forbes, the top 100 earned $1.1 billion from sponsors, up 11% from last year, on top of a 12% gain in 2019. Nike has the most athletes under contract, with 51 of the top 100, capped by the sneaker giant’s $30 million-plus signature deal with LeBron James. Adidas endorses 16 athletes in the top 100, including those under its Reebok brand.

Here’s an animated timeline showing the highest-paid athletes from 1990-2020, via Noobnorm.

 

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Mark is an associate editor at BroBible. Follow him on Twitter @ItIsMarkHarris for the occasional good tweet. Feel free to contact him at Mark@BroBible.com.