The World's Highest Paid Athletes

[Maximus Rex]

#25 Gareth Bale, $35.9 Million, Athlete, Soccer

Source of Wealth: Soccer, Salary/Winnings: $24.9 M, Endorsements: $11 M

While injuries limited the Welsh international to just 21 La Liga starts in the 2015/16 season, he managed to score 19 times, much to the delight of Real Madrid, who paid a whopping $118 million to acquire him in 2013 and is rumored to want to sell him. No matter where Bale goes he's poised to remain a standout fixture for sponsor Adidas, having inked a six-year contract in 2014 worth an estimated $35 million. Last November he signed an equity deal with Ziptel to share their Zipt free call and text app with his 42 million social media followers.

#24 Fernando Alonso, $36.5 Million, Athlete, Racing

Source of Wealth: Racing, Salary/Winnings: $35 M, Endorsements: $1.5 M

Fernando Alonso's first year with the McLaren-Honda did not go well as the team struggled to field a competitive car and Alonso finished 17th in the final F1 standings. It was a long fall for a driver who is used to competing at the front of the grid and has won two championships. The Spaniard is well compensated at McLaren with a three-year deal worth more than $30 million annually. His 32 career wins ranks sixth all-time among F1 drivers.

#23 Zlatan Ibrahimovic, $37.4 Million, Athlete, Soccer

Source of Wealth: Soccer, Salary/Winnings: $30.4 M, Endorsements: $7 M

The Swedish striker ended his career with Paris Saint-Germain in May 2016 as its all-time leading goalscorer and with four straight Ligue 1 titles and three league player of the year awards. Up next: a rumored move, fueled by Zlatan and his agent, to the Premier League before a final stop in MLS or his hometown club Malmo. After a season-long negotiation with Nike, he returned to wearing the swoosh under a deal reported to pay an estimated $3 million annually through 2019. In June he released his line of sportswear, A-Z. Post-retirement he plans to bring his story to the big screen and has done a good job making audition reels with pitches for Volvo, Vitamin Well and his new fragrance Zlatan.

#21 Neymar, $37.5 Million, Athlete, Soccer

Source of Wealth: Soccer, Salary/Winnings: $14.5 M, Endorsements: $23 M

In April, Neymar won a Webby Award, considered the Oscars of the internet, in the sporting category for his official Neymar Jr. website. The combination of his prowess on the pitch and innovation online have helped him land a dozen endorsement deals with brands like Nike, Red Bull, Panasonic, Konami and Gillette. He is currently the only active soccer player earning more off the field than on. Neymar's playing contract is worth $75 million over five years.

#21 Rafael Nadal, $37.5 Million, Athlete, Tennis

Source of Wealth: Tennis, Salary/Winnings $5.5 M, Endorsements: $32 M

Rafael Nadal had to withdraw from the French Open after the third round with a wrist injury. Nadal's greatest success has come at Roland Garros where he lost only twice in his last 71 matches, while racking up nine French Open titles. Last year was the first Nadal did not win a Grand Slam event since 2004, putting an end to his 10-year streak, the longest in men's tennis history. Nadal is a fan favorite and banked millions for his appearance at the IPTL matches in December. His endorsement partners include Nike, Babolat, Kia Motors, Telefonica, Banco Sabadell, Richard Mille, Tommy Hilfiger and more. Kia renewed its deal with Nadal last year for an additional five years through 2020. They first partnered in 2004. Nadal's $78 million in career prize money ranks third all-time behind Federer and Djokovic.

 

[Maximus Rex]

#20 Philip Rivers, $38 Million, Athlete, NFL

Source of Wealth: Football, Salary/Winnings: $37.5 M, Endorsements: $450K

Philip Rivers signed a four-year, $83.25 million contract extension with the San Diego Chargers in August 2015. The pact included a $22.5 million signing bonus and $15 million salary for the 2015 season. The deal also includes a no-trade clause from the only franchise Rivers has ever known as a pro. Rivers was drafted by the New York Giants with the fourth overall pick in the 2004 NFL draft and traded on draft day to the Chargers for Eli Manning, was the No. 1 overall pick that year. Rivers has thrown for more than 41,000 yards, fifth-highest among active QBs. He led the league in passes completed in 2015 and finished second in passing yards.

#19 Sebastian Vettel, $41 Million, Athlete, Racing

Source of Wealth: Racing, Salary/Winnings $40 M, Endorsements: $1 M

Vettel fulfilled a lifelong dream in the fall of 2014 when he inked a three-year deal to drive for Ferrari. The contract is one of the richest in the F1 and will pay out more than $40 million annually, including bonuses if Vettel performs. The German driver dominated the sport between 2010 and 2013, winning the World Championship each year. He is one of only four drivers to win at least four titles and his 42 career wins ranks fourth all-time. Vettel tied Michael Schumacher's record for most wins in a season with 13 in 2013. He finished third in the final standings in 2015 with three wins in his first year driving for Ferrari, behind the two Mercedes cars.

#18 Russell Wilson, $41.8 Million, NFL

Source of Wealth: Football, Salary/Winnings: $31.8 M, Endorsements: $10 M

Russell Wilson has had a historic start to his career with 46 regular season wins, the most ever for a quarterback in his first four seasons, and has led the Seattle Seahawks to the Super Bowl twice. His career passing rating trails only Aaron Rodgers. Wilson earned $2 million in salary during his first three seasons, but the Seahawks rewarded their franchise QB in the summer of 2015 with a four-year contract extension worth $87.6 million. The pact included a $31 million signing bonus. Wilson has become one of the NFL's most marketable players. His partners include Microsoft, Luvo, Nike, Alaska Airlines, Bose, Braun, United Way, Eat the Ball, Wilson Sporting Goods, Facebook Live and The Players Tribune. Wilson launched his own clothing line at Nordstrom in 2016 under the Good Man Brand.

#17 Rory McIlroy, $42.6 Million, Athlete, PGA

Source of Wealth: Golf, Salary/Winnings: $7.6 M, Endorsements: $35 M

Last year Rory McIlroy became the third youngest player after Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus to win 10 events on the PGA Tour. McIlroy's on-course earnings fell by nearly $9 million from his massive $16.3 million haul the previous year, but he continues to be a bankable marketing star. Nike is his biggest endorsement deal and pays nearly $20 million annually. He also partners with Omega, Bose and Upper Deck. His deal with Santander expired at the end of 2015. McIlroy replaced Tiger Woods as the face of Electronic Arts golf video game last year. Woods served as the name on the game for 16 versions between 1998 and 2013 (EA Sports did not release a version in 2014). McIlroy settled a messy lawsuit last year with his former agents who accused the Irish golfer of owing millions of dollars in commissions from endorsement contracts and prize money.

#16 Floyd Mayweather, $44 Million, Athlete, Boxing

Source of Wealth: Boxing, Salary/Winnings: $32 M, Endorsements: $12 M

Floyd Mayweather says he is retired after defeating Andre Berto in September to run his record to 49-0. The world's highest-paid athlete three of the previous four years banked $32 million for the Berto fight to bring his career earnings to $700 million since turning pro in 1996. Money Mayweather earned $12 million outside the ring over the last 12 months through more than a dozen personal appearances during his "World Tour" and profits from his TMT line of merchandise. Mayweather was paid nearly $2 million for his eight city tour of the UK in February. Mayweather's 2015 fight against Manny Pacquiao crushed multiple boxing financial records, including PPV buys (4.6 million), total gate ($73 million) and sponsorships ($13 million). The fight grossed more than $600 million once everything was counted.

 

[Maximus Rex]

#15 Tom Brady, $44.1 Million, Athlete, NFL

Source of Wealth: Football, Salary/Winnings: $36.1 M, Endorsements: $8 M

Tom Brady signed a contract extension in March that included a $28 million signing bonus. The deal lowered his 2016 base salary from $9 million to just $1 million in the process. The lower base could save Brady close to $2 million in game checks if his four-game suspension is upheld stemming from the "Deflategate" saga during the playoffs for the 2014 season. With the retirement of Peyton Manning, Brady ranks first among active quarterbacks in TD passes and second for passing yards. The Patriots have won 77% of their games with Brady under center since 2001. Brady inked a new endorsement deal with Tag Heuer in 2015 and is featured in a new ad campaign for Simmons Beautyrest brand. He also published a $200 cookbook in 2016 that sold out online in a day. Other marketing partners include Under Armour and UGG Boots. Brady led the NFL in merchandise sales during the 2015 NFL season.

#14 Joe Flacco, $44.5 Million, Athlete, NFL

Source of Wealth: Football, Salary/Winnings: $44 M, Endorsements: $500K

The 2013 Super Bowl MVP broke the bank in the offseason with a new three-year, $66.4 million contract that will keep him with the Baltimore Ravens through 2021. The deal includes a $40 million signing bonus for Flacco ($15 million of the bonus is deferred to March 2017, but Forbes considers it earned during our measured time period). His $22.1 million average salary is the highest in the NFL, topping Aaron Rodgers' previous mark of $22 million. Flacco joined the upper echelon of quarterbacks in 2013 when he led the underdog Baltimore Ravens to a 34-31 win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII by throwing for 287 yards and three touchdowns. He was rewarded that March with a six-year, $120.6 million extension, including a $29 million signing bonus. The Ravens restructured his deal in 2016 because of the huge $28.6 million salary cap hit the 2013 deal included. Flacco's new pact cut his salary cap number by $6 million.

#13 Eli Manning, $45 Million, Athlete, NFL

Source of Wealth: Football, Salary/Winnings: $37 M, Endorsements: $8 M

The two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback signed a four-year, $84 million contract extension in September 2015. The pact includes a $31 million signing bonus and $65 million in guarantees. The guarantee is tied for the most ever given to an NFL player, matching Philip Rivers deal. Manning's career earnings are now the highest among active players with $188 million after the retirement of his brother Peyton. Eli Manning set career highs for passing touchdowns (35) and passer rating (93.6) in 2015. He continues to be one of the most marketable players off the field. His endorsement portfolio includes Nike, Toyota Motor, DirecTV, Citizen watches, Gatorade and Dunkin' Donuts.

#12 Tiger Woods, $45.3 Million, Athlete, PGA

Source of Wealth: Golf, Self Made, Salary/Winnings: $274K, Endorsements: $45 M

Tiger Woods turned 40 in December 2015 and is feeling his mortality on the golf course. The 14-time major winner has played only 18 events since the start 2014 and made six cuts. Woods's bag sponsor, MusclePharm, paid him $2.5 million this year to terminate his contract and buyout the remaining $7 million owed. Woods' course design business has picked up after the financial crisis hampered his first attempts. He opened his first U.S.-based course in 2015 outside of Houston. He is partnering with Donald Trump for a course in Dubai. Woods has earned $1.4 billion since turning pro two decades ago with only 10% of the total derived from prize money. The bulk of Woods' fortune was generated from endorsements with the likes of Accenture, AT&T, Buick, Nike and Gatorade. All of those companies have left Woods, but Nike who has stuck by the 14-time Majors winner and pays him more than $20 million a year. Other current partners include Hero MotoCorp, Kowa, Rolex and Upper Deck. Woods also has his own line of headphones through SOL Republic, which went on sale last year. The golfer opened his first restaurant in 2015, The Woods Jupiter.

#11 Lewis Hamilton, $46 Million, Athlete, Racing

Source of Wealth: Racing, Salary/Winnings: $42 M, Endorsements:$4 M

 

[Maximus Rex]

#10 Kobe Bryant, $50 Million, Athlete, NBA

Source of Wealth: Basketball, Self Made, Salary/Winnings: $25 M, Endorsements: $25 M

Kobe Bryant retired after the 2015-16 season as the NBA's third all-time leading scorer behind only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone. No one can top Bryant when it comes to his financial might. He banked $680 million in salary and endorsements during his two decade career. It is the most ever for a team athlete during their playing career. Bryant had the highest salary in the NBA for the last six years and earned $25 million from the Los Angeles Lakers in 2015-16. The five-time NBA champion moved away in recent years from straight endorsement deals in favor of being a part of businesses. His future includes Kobe Inc., which he set up in 2013. The firm's first investment was for $4-6 million in 2014 to buy more than 10% of emerging sports drink BodyArmor. Bryant sits on BodyArmor's board of directors and will focus on the marketing and branding of the product. Last year, he bought a stake in Derek Jeter's media platform, The Player's Tribune. Bryant continues his endorsement relationship with Nike, Hublot and Panini.

#9 Jordan Spieth, $52.8 Million, Athlete, PGA

Source of Wealth: Golf, Salary/Winnings: $20.8 M, Endorsements: $32 M

Jordan Spieth is the youngest member of the world's 100 highest paid athlete by 16 months (the NBA's Kyrie Irving is second). Golf's golden boy is also the biggest mover on the list moving up from No. 85 to ninth. It's the result of a massive 2015 where he won two major titles, including a record-tying -18 at the Masters, and became the youngest U.S. Open champion. Spieth captured the FedEx Cup and its $10 million bonus in the fall. The wins and No. 1 world ranking triggered lucrative bonuses from partners like Under Armour and Titleist. Spieth cashed in on his newfound fame with a global cash grab of appearance fees for events in South Korea, China, Australia, Bahamas, Singapore and Abu Dhabi. Coca-Cola signed Spieth to a multi-year deal in January that will showcase Spieth in commercials, on social media and point-of-sale packaging for Coca-Cola products and its water brand Dasani.

#8 Phil Mickelson, $52.9 Million, Athlete, PGA

Source of Wealth: Golf, Salary/Winnings: $2.9 M, Endorsements: $50 M

The SEC named Phil Mickelson in May as a "relief defendant," but did not charge him with a crime in an insider trading case. The golfer agreed to pay back $1 million in profits and interest from the 2012 trade of Dean Foods stock based on an insider's tip. The slip-up is unlikely to hurt Mickelson with his sponsors, who love the his ability to connect with fans and customers. Endorsement partners include Callaway, Barclays, KPMG, Exxon Mobil, Rolex and Amgen, which makes psoriatic arthritis drug Enbrel (Mickelson was diagnosed with the disease in 2010). The five-time majors winner has racked up 42 PGA victories (ninth all-time), but his last win came three years ago at the 2013 British Open. Mickelson's $80 million in career prize money ranks second all-time. He is working on his first golf course design project in Canada, Mickelson National.

#7 Cam Newton, $53.1 Million, Athlete, NFL

Source of Wealth: Football, Salary/Winnings: $41.1 M, Endorsements: $12 M

Cam Newton became the new face of the NFL during the 2015 season when he won the MVP award in runaway fashion with 48 of the 50 votes. The 2011 overall No. 1 pick out of Auburn led the Carolina Panthers to the Super Bowl with a 15-1 regular season record while accounting for 45 touchdowns. Newton signed a new contract with the Panthers in June 2015 worth $103.8 million over five years, including a $22.5 million signing bonus, a $7.5 million option bonus, and a deferred $10 million option bonus payable in April 2017 (we include the option bonus as "earned" income during our counting time period. Under Armour extended its deal with Newton in 2015 and made him their top-paid NFL endorser. His UA Highlight cleat was the best selling in 2015 and paid Newton a royalty for every pair sold. His line of apparel and accessories with Belk includes more than 300 products. In the offseason Newton became the host and executive producing of a 20-episode run of a new show on Nickelodeon called ?I Wanna Be? featuering the quarterback helping kids make their dreams come true.

#6 Novak Djokovic, $55.8 Million, Athlete, Tennis

Source of Wealth: Tennis, Salary/Winnings: $21.8 M, Endorsements: $34 M

Novak Djokovic completed the career Grand Slam and became the first tennis player to win more than $100 million in career prize money at the French Open this year. The world's No. 1 player has been on a remarkable run where he banked $82 million and 11 Grand Slam titles over the past 5 1/2 years (his Slam count sits at 12, including his 2008 Australian Open win). In 2015, Djokovic was the first player to ever earn $20 million in prize money in a season. His three Grand Slam titles in 2015 and year-end No. 1 ranking also kicked in valuable bonuses from sponsors. Djokovic's endorsement partners include Uniqlo, Adidas, Head, ANZ, Peugot and Seiko.

 

[Maximus Rex]

#5 Kevin Durant, $56.2 Million, Athlete, NBA

Source of Wealth: Basketball, Salary/Winnings: $20.2 M, Endorsements: $36 M

Kevin Durant will be the hottest free agent this summer in the NBA. His 27.4 career points per game average is the best among active players and third all-time. The four-time scoring champ came up one game short in his quest to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder over the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals. KD launched his own underwear line last year in partnership with Neff and Foot Locker. Durant's money deal though is with Nike, which signed Durant to an extension in 2014 worth as much as $300 million over 10 years. Other partners include: 2K Sports, American Family Insurance, BBVA, Orange Leaf, Panini, Sonic, Sparkling Ice, Beats and The Players Tribune.

#4 Roger Federer, $67.8 Million, Athlete, Tennis

Source of Wealth: Tennis, Salary/Winnings: $7.8 M, Endorsements: $60 M

Roger Federer's 16-year streak of Grand Slam appearances ended at 65 in May when he pulled out of the French Open with a back problem. It has been four years since Federer captured his 17th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2012, but he remains the top player off the court with $60 million in earnings from endorsements and appearance fees. Federer generated millions from playing four matches in the IPTL in India in December. His endorsement portfolio is filled with long-term deals with blue-chip companies like Nike, Rolex. Mercedes-Benz and Credit Suisse. Federer has won $98 million in prize money during his 18-year career.

#3 LeBron James, $77.2 Million, Athlete, NBA

Source of Wealth: Basketball, Salary/Winnings: $23.2 M Endorsements: $54 M

LeBron James made history when he reached his sixth straight NBA Finals. No player has accomplished that in 50 years since the dynasty of the Boston Celtics. Nike signed James to the first lifetime contract in the company's 44-year history at the end of 2015. Sales of James' signature shoes are down over the past 12 months, but if sales rebound and James can move product after his NBA days are over, the contract will likely pay out more than $1 billion. King James has gone Hollywood with his SpringHill Entertainment production company and multi-platform media company Uninterrupted, which got a $15.8 investment in December from Time Warner. He also made his big-screen debut in the summer of 2015 in the movie Trainwreck. James is also set to star in the sequel to the 1996 Michael Jordan movie-vehicle Space Jam.

#2 Lionel Messi, $81.4 Million, Athlete, Soccer

Source of Wealth: Soccer, Salary/Winnings: 53.4 M, Endorsements: $28 M

The reigning Ballon d'Or winner has won FIFA's player of the year award five times. Messi holds records for goals for Barcelona, goals in a calendar year and hat tricks. He was the first to reach 300 goals in La Liga competitions. Messi's playing contract is loaded with bonuses for such feats, which help make him one of the highest-paid on the pitch. Main sponsor Adidas capitalize on their superstar with its Messi-icon line of shoes and apparel and launched a "Backed By Messi" campaign which sees the Argentine endorse ten of the game's brightest talents.

#1 Cristiano Ronaldo, $88 Million, Athlete, Soccer

Source of Wealth: Soccer, Salary/Winnings: $56 M, Endorsements: $32 M

The three-time FIFA best player in the world and four-time European Golden Shoe award winner has broken the 50-goal mark six seasons in a row for Real Madrid to rank as its all-time leading scorer and is the top goal scorer in the UEFA Champions League. He scored the clinching penalty kick during the 2016 Champions League final to lead Real to its second title in three years. Ronaldo's Real contract worth over $50 million a year in salary and bonus runs through 2018. Ronaldo is the world's most popular athlete with over 200 million social media followers, which help make him the highest paid footballer off the pitch. His head-to-toe sponsorships include Nike, his signature line of underwear, shirts, footwear and fragrance, Tag Heuer, Sacoor Brothers suits and Monster headphones.

 

[Trillfate]

Weird how Futbol is the lowest scoring sport with highest paid players

 

[its....JOHN B]

Not one baseball player?

 

[Maximus Rex]

Not one baseball player?

Maybe lower down the list, this is just the Top 30.

 

[The Lonious Monk]

Weird how Futbol is the lowest scoring sport with highest paid players

Probably more to do with it being the most popular worldwide.

 

[Valentinez A. Kaiser]

Crazy how much endorsements is keeping Tiger afloat!

 

[dalyricalbandit]

Soccer/Futbol is where the money at

 

[MR.CJ]

Black excellence

 

[saracenwire]

Not one baseball player?

no endorsements.

 

[DOPEdweebz]

More black people need to play soccer

 

[Figo]

More black people need to play soccer

you mean african americans? don't no what world you live in, but black folks globally play football

 

[DOPEdweebz]

More black people need to play soccer

you mean african americans? don't no what world you live in, but black folks globally play football

Yes. Why would I care about the global ones?

 

[CracceR]

Black excellence

craccers are the highest paid atm we da bess

 

[Maximus Rex]

The World's Highest Paid Female Athletes, 2016

#10 Eugenie Bouchard

Total Earnings: $6.2 Million, Prize money:$ 0.7 Million, Endorsements: $5.5 Million

Bouchard appeared to tennis' new "It" girl after her run to the 2014 Wimbledon finals. She landed new deals with Nike, Usuana, and Rolex that kicked off last year. But injuries and uneven play have plagued the Canadian and her rank has fallen to No. 47

#9 Victoria Azarenka

Total Earnings: $6.6 Million, Prize money: $3.6 Million, Endorsements: $3 Million

Azarenka's ranking plummeted to No. 50 in the world last year after her 2014 season ended early from injury. She's recovered to win three events this year, her first titles since 2013. Azarenka's partners include Nike, Wilson, Citizen, and Esurance.

#8 Ana Ivanovic

Total Earnings: $7.4 Million, Prize money: $1.9 Million, Endorsements: $5.5 Million

The Serb has failed to get past the third round of her last Grand Slam event and her rank has fallen to No. 16 Ivanovic renewed her deal with Dubai Duty Free last year and added a new partner in Shiseido.

#7 Garbine Muguruza

Total Earnings: $7.6 Million, Prize money: $4.6 Million, Endorsements: $3 Million

The Venezuelan-born Spaniard broke through at the French Open with her first Grand Slam win in a straight sets victory over Serena Williams. The win was worth $2.3 million in prize money and lucrative bonuses from sponsors like Adidas (both are after our June 1 cutoff.) Muguruza finished second in WTA prize money in 2015. She was a finalist at Wimbledon where she lost to Williams.

#6 Carolina Wozniacki

Total Earnings: $8 million, Prize money: $1 Million, Endorsements: $7 Million

The former top-ranked player in the world has seen her ranking plummet over the past 12 months to No. 34. She won only eight of her first 15 matches in 2016. Wozniacki plans to compete at the Rio Olympics and will carry the Danish flag in the opening ceremonies. Addidas remains her most lucrative sponsor.

#5 Agnieszka Radwanska

Total Earnings: $10.2 Million , Purses/Bonuses: $5.2 Million, Endorsements: $5 Million

The world's number No. 2 ranked player won three events last year, including the WTA final. The wins and rankings triggered lucrative bonuses for the Polish star. Her endorsement partners including Lotto, Babolat, Lexus, Workday, Rado, and Amica. Her $23 million in career prize money ranks sixth all-time.

#4 Danica Patrick

Total Earnings: $13.9 Million, Purses/Bonuses: $7.9 Million, Endorsements: $6 Million

GoDaddy didn't renew its primary sponsorship of Patrick's car after nine years together. Nature's Bakery stepped into sponsor 28 races in 2016 with Patrick signing a multi-year extension in August to drive for Stewart-Haas. GoDaddy will continue to be a personal sponsor of hers along with 10 other brands like Chevrolet, Coca-Cola, Nationwide and Tissot. Patrick's 73% awareness level ranks third among female athletes behind the Williams sisters.

#3 Ronda Rousey

Total Earnings: 14 Million, Purses/Bonuses: 10 Million, Endorsements: $4 Million

Rousey faced a stunning loss to Holly Holm in November, her first defeat after 12 wins in MMA. Rousey has crossed over into mainstreams celebrity with movie roles, SI Swinsuit appearances, hosting Saturday Night Live and endorsement deals with Reebok, MetroPCS, Bud Light, Buffalo Jeans and Fanatics.

#2 Maria Sharapova, $21.9 Million, Athlete, Tennis

Source of Wealth: Tennis, Salary/Winnings: $1.9 M, Endorsements: $20 M

Maria Sharapova shocked the tennis world in March when she announced she had failed a drug test at the Australian Open in January. She said she had been taking the drug Meldonium for a decade for her health, and unbeknownst to her it was added to the WTA Tour's banned list of substances on January 1. Sponsors ran for cover with Tag Heuer ending discussions on a renewal for a deal that expired in December. Nike and Porsche both suspended promotional plans with the Russian-born player, but neither terminated their contract. Other partners including Avon, Evian and Head stuck by Sharapova. But her income will plummet over the next 12 months with big reductions in her endorsement contracts for not playing a minimum number of events. Sharapova had been the highest-paid female athlete in the world the previous 11 years until this one when Serena Williams usurped her. Sharapova has banked nearly $300 million in prize money, appearances and endorsements since she turned pro in 2001.

#1 Serena Williams, $28.9 Million, Athlete, Tennis

Source of Wealth: Tennis, Salary/Winnings: $8.9 M, Endorsements: $20 M

Serena Williams is the world's highest-paid female athlete over the last 12 months. For her career, her $78 million in prize money is more than twice as much as any other female athlete. Williams' 2015 season included three Grand Slam titles and only three losses in 56 matches. The stellar run triggered lucrative bonuses from sponsors like Nike and Wilson. Williams now counts more than a dozen brands in her endorsement portfolio with the likes of Beats, Delta Airlines, IBM, Burlei bras and Audemars Piguet. Williams also has equity deals with the Home Shopping Network and Mission Athletecare, and a small stake in the NFL's Miami Dolphins.

 

[northside7]

Serena will be number one until she retires.

 

[Maximus Rex]

Serena will be number one until she retires.

She wasn't #1 last year.