Forbes top 10 highest paid athletes of 2021

American business magazine, Forbes has released its annual ranking of the highest-paid athletes in 2021. The list is compiled and calculated based on on-field earnings which include salaries, bonuses, endorsements etc., and off-field earnings.

The top 10 list of highest-paid athletes in the world, according to Forbes, has football dominating with 3 entries (Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar); followed by basketball and American football with 2 entries each (Kevin Durant and LeBron James for basketball; Tom Brady and Dak Prescott for American football).

The athletes on the top 10 list earned a combined amount of $1.05 billion in the past 12 months which is 28% more than last year’s top earners, according to Forbes.

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This year, Mixed Martial Arts fighter, Conor McGregor topped the list for the first time and also marked his second appearance on it. He earned a total of $180 million with the bulk of his earning coming from the recent sale of his majority stake in whiskey brand, Proper No. Twelve to Proximo Spirits for $150 million.

Footballers, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as well as NFL quarterback Dak Prescott also shot past $100 million in total earnings this year.

Top 10 highest-paid athletes of 2021

10. Kevin Durant

Sport:  Basketball
Salary/Winnings:  $31 million
Endorsements:  $44million
Total:  $75million

9. Tom Brady

Sport:  American football
Salary/Winnings:  $45 million
Endorsements:  $31 million
Total:  $76 million

8. Lewis Hamilton

Sport:  Formula One
Salary/Winnings:  $70 million
Endorsements:  $12 million
Total:  $82 million

7. Roger Federer

Sport:  Tennis
Endorsements:  $90 million
Total:  $90 million

6. Neymar

Sport:  Football (Soccer)
Salary/Winnings:  $76 million
Endorsements:  $19 million
Total:  $95 million

5. LeBron James

Sport:  Basketball
Salary/Winnings:  $31.5 million
Endorsements:  $65 million
Total:  $96.5 million

4. Dak Prescott

Sport:  American football
Salary/Winnings:  $97.5 million
Endorsements:  $10 million
Total:  $107.5 million

3. Cristiano Ronaldo

Sport:  Football (Soccer)
Salary/Winnings:  $70 million
Endorsements:  $50 million
Total:  $120 million

2. Lionel Messi

Sport:  Football (Soccer)
Salary/Winnings:  $97 million
Endorsements:  $33 million
Total:  $130 million

1. Conor McGregor

Sport:  Mixed Martial Arts
Salary/Winnings:  $22 million
Endorsements:  $158 million
Total:  $180million

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