The Worlds Highest Paid Athletes
11. Ben Roethlisberger
Total Earnings: $48.9 million
Salary/Winnings: $46.4 million
Endorsements: $2.5 million
Roethlisberger signed a four year, $87.4 million extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers in March that included a $31 million signing bonus. He posted career highs for passing yards and touchdown passes in 2014. Last year, Roethlisberger also became the first player to throw for 500 yards in two different games, as well as the first player to record six touchdowns in consecutive games.
Salary/Winnings: $46.4 million
Endorsements: $2.5 million
Roethlisberger signed a four year, $87.4 million extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers in March that included a $31 million signing bonus. He posted career highs for passing yards and touchdown passes in 2014. Last year, Roethlisberger also became the first player to throw for 500 yards in two different games, as well as the first player to record six touchdowns in consecutive games.
12. Rory McIlroy
Total Earnings: $48.3 million
Salary/Winnings: $16.3 million
Endorsements: $32 million
The worlds top ranked golfer has been on a huge roll with five PGA victories, including two Majors, over the last 12 months. The wins helped him earn $16.3 million in prize money, as well as valuable bonuses from chief sponsor Nike. McIlroy replaced Tiger Woods as the face of Electronic Arts golf video game. This years version will be Rory McIlroy PGA Tour. Other partners include Omega, Bose and Upper Deck.
Salary/Winnings: $16.3 million
Endorsements: $32 million
The worlds top ranked golfer has been on a huge roll with five PGA victories, including two Majors, over the last 12 months. The wins helped him earn $16.3 million in prize money, as well as valuable bonuses from chief sponsor Nike. McIlroy replaced Tiger Woods as the face of Electronic Arts golf video game. This years version will be Rory McIlroy PGA Tour. Other partners include Omega, Bose and Upper Deck.
13. Novak Djokovic
Total Earnings: $48.2 million
Salary/Winnings: $17.2 million
Endorsements: $31 million
Djokovic has been on an incredible roll since he elevated his game starting in 2011. He appeared in the finals of 13 of the last 18 Grand Slams (winning seven) and pocketed $59 million in prize money since the start of 2011. He ranks second all time in prize money with $79 million. He picked up lucrative deals with ANZ, Jacobs Creek, Peugeot and Seiko last year.
Salary/Winnings: $17.2 million
Endorsements: $31 million
Djokovic has been on an incredible roll since he elevated his game starting in 2011. He appeared in the finals of 13 of the last 18 Grand Slams (winning seven) and pocketed $59 million in prize money since the start of 2011. He ranks second all time in prize money with $79 million. He picked up lucrative deals with ANZ, Jacobs Creek, Peugeot and Seiko last year.
14. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Total Earnings: $39.1 million
Salary/Winnings: $33.1 million
Endorsements: $6 million
The Swedish striker led Paris Saint Germain in goals and to the French league title for the third year in a row. He fueled speculation he will make a move to MLS after his contract with the capital citys club expires in 2016 when he applied for a US working Visa. In late 2014 he signaled an end to his long term sponsorship deal with Nike by wearing a pair of cleats with the swoosh logo barely visible.
Salary/Winnings: $33.1 million
Endorsements: $6 million
The Swedish striker led Paris Saint Germain in goals and to the French league title for the third year in a row. He fueled speculation he will make a move to MLS after his contract with the capital citys club expires in 2016 when he applied for a US working Visa. In late 2014 he signaled an end to his long term sponsorship deal with Nike by wearing a pair of cleats with the swoosh logo barely visible.
15. Lewis Hamilton
Total Earnings: $39 million
Salary/Winnings: $36 million
Endorsements: $3 million
Hamilton inked a three year contract extension in May to drive for Mercedes F1 team. The deal kicks in with the 2016 season and could pay out more than $140 million, including bonuses. Hamilton won his second F1 World Championship last year and is headed towards a third in 2015. Hamilton moved to Mercedes for the 2013 season in part to open potential sponsorship opportunities. He is one of the most marketable drivers in the sport.
Salary/Winnings: $36 million
Endorsements: $3 million
Hamilton inked a three year contract extension in May to drive for Mercedes F1 team. The deal kicks in with the 2016 season and could pay out more than $140 million, including bonuses. Hamilton won his second F1 World Championship last year and is headed towards a third in 2015. Hamilton moved to Mercedes for the 2013 season in part to open potential sponsorship opportunities. He is one of the most marketable drivers in the sport.
16. Ndamukong Suh
Total Earnings: $38.6 million
Salary/Winnings: $38.2 million
Endorsements: $400,000
The Miami Dolphins signed Suh to a six year, $114.3 million contract in March after Suh spent five years with the Detroit Lions. With a $25 million signing bonus and $59.9 million guaranteed, the defensive end is now the highest paid defensive player in NFL history. Suh set a record for personal fouls with nine in his first two years in the league, but the Dolphins are more interested in Suhs high level of play and four Pro Bowl selections.
Salary/Winnings: $38.2 million
Endorsements: $400,000
The Miami Dolphins signed Suh to a six year, $114.3 million contract in March after Suh spent five years with the Detroit Lions. With a $25 million signing bonus and $59.9 million guaranteed, the defensive end is now the highest paid defensive player in NFL history. Suh set a record for personal fouls with nine in his first two years in the league, but the Dolphins are more interested in Suhs high level of play and four Pro Bowl selections.
17. Fernando Alonso
Total Earnings: $35.5 million
Salary/Winnings: $34 million
Endorsements: $1.5 million
Alonso secured another massive payday when he negotiated a return to McLaren, where he raced during the 2007 season. The two year deal is worth more than $30 million annually. The two time World Champion finished second in the F1 standings in 2012 and 2013, but dropped to sixth last year in his final year with Ferrari.
Salary/Winnings: $34 million
Endorsements: $1.5 million
Alonso secured another massive payday when he negotiated a return to McLaren, where he raced during the 2007 season. The two year deal is worth more than $30 million annually. The two time World Champion finished second in the F1 standings in 2012 and 2013, but dropped to sixth last year in his final year with Ferrari.
18. Gareth Bale
Total Earnings: $35 million
Salary/Winnings: $25.5 million
Endorsements: $9.5 million
Talk is heating up that the Welshman is on the move back to the U.K. after Real Madrid spent a whopping $118 million to acquire him from Tottenham in 2013. No matter where he goes hes poised to remain a standout fixture for sponsor Adidas, having inked a six year contract in 2014 worth an estimated $35 million. When not on the pitch, Bale will be do commentary for BT Sport as part of a three year deal he signed with the broadcaster.
Salary/Winnings: $25.5 million
Endorsements: $9.5 million
Talk is heating up that the Welshman is on the move back to the U.K. after Real Madrid spent a whopping $118 million to acquire him from Tottenham in 2013. No matter where he goes hes poised to remain a standout fixture for sponsor Adidas, having inked a six year contract in 2014 worth an estimated $35 million. When not on the pitch, Bale will be do commentary for BT Sport as part of a three year deal he signed with the broadcaster.
19. Jon Lester
Total Earnings: $34.1 million
Salary/Winnings: $33.7 million
Endorsements: $400,000
Lesters new $155 million deal with the Cubs includes a $30 million signing bonus with half paid in April (the balance is paid in installments between 2018 and 2020). Look for Lester to be a hit with Chicago companies. Nike remains his biggest sponsor.
Salary/Winnings: $33.7 million
Endorsements: $400,000
Lesters new $155 million deal with the Cubs includes a $30 million signing bonus with half paid in April (the balance is paid in installments between 2018 and 2020). Look for Lester to be a hit with Chicago companies. Nike remains his biggest sponsor.
20. Derrick Rose
Total Earnings: $33.9 million
Salary/Winnings: $18.9 million
Endorsements: $15 million
Rose suited up for 51 games last season for the Chicago Bulls, which was his most since the 2010 11 season. He has two seasons left on the five year, $95 million deal he signed with the Bulls at the end of 2011. Rose is one of the NBAs top earners off the court thanks to the massive 13 year, $185 Adidas shoe deal he signed in 2012.
Salary/Winnings: $18.9 million
Endorsements: $15 million
Rose suited up for 51 games last season for the Chicago Bulls, which was his most since the 2010 11 season. He has two seasons left on the five year, $95 million deal he signed with the Bulls at the end of 2011. Rose is one of the NBAs top earners off the court thanks to the massive 13 year, $185 Adidas shoe deal he signed in 2012.
