Neymar is also included in the top 10, with superstar performers from the NBA, NFL, tennis and boxing figuring prominently
Lionel Messi may have taken a pay cut when leaving Barcelona as a free agent to link up with Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2021, but his superstar appeal has ensured that he takes the No.1 spot on run down of the highest-paid athletes on the planet.
Endorsements away from the pitch, alongside a lucrative deal at Parc des Princes, have allowed the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner to pip NBA legend LeBron James to first place on a notable chart that also includes Manchester United frontman Cristiano Ronaldo and PSG forward Neymar.
Iconic figures from the worlds of basketball, NFL, tennis and boxing complete the top 10, with there some serious marketing appeal on show in a run down of those that continue to pull in the biggest pay cheques.
Getty10Giannis Antetokounmpo | $80.9m/£66m
The youngest member of the top 10, with the Milwaukee Bucks’ two-time MVP penning a five-year contract in December 2020 that is worth $228 million (£187m). He is one of the investors in timepiece resale platform WatchBox and has a licensing agreement in place with NFT platform NFTSTAR. Giannis’ endorsement stable also includes deals with WhatsApp and Google Pixel, while his life story – in a biopic called ‘Rise’ – will be available to stream on Disney+ from June.
AdvertisementGetty Images9Tom Brady | $83.9m/£69m
The GOAT of American football has shelved retirement plans for now, but it has been reported that he has an analyst offer from Fox Sports on the table that will be worth $375 million (£308m) once the day comes to hang up his cleats. He already has a production company, 199 Productions, and a new clothing line named BRADY. The NFT platform he co-founded in 2021 has raised $170m (£139m), while his Religion of Sports production enterprise has a content agreement in place with Skydance Sports.
Getty8Canelo Alvarez | $90m/£74m
The Mexican boxer tends to pull in more than $40 million (£33m) from his box office appeal in pay-per-view events, with a legion of loyal supporters following his every move. Away from the ring, Canelo has a lucrative partnership with Hennessy and owns a taco restaurant chain in his homeland that intends to expand into America. He has also stated a desire to launch a chain of gas stations, while Canelo Productions work closely with DAZN and Matchroom Boxing to put on fights in Mexico.
Getty7Roger Federer | $90.7m/£74m
The Swiss icon has spent several years working with brands such as Rolex and Uniqlo. Federer invested in the Swiss shoe brand On in 2019, and that company raised more than $600 million (£492m) when going public in September 2021.
