TOP GROSSERS: Forbes recently published the top 10 list of the world's highest-paid athletes, which features three football players, four basketballers, one tennis legend, an NFL icon and a boxing champ. The amount includes “on-field” (prize money, salaries and bonuses) and off-field (sponsorship deals, appearance fees and licensing income) earnings estimates during the 12-month period.
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LIONEL MESSI | $130 million: Lionel Messi was the world’s highest-paid athlete over the last year. The annual Forbes list released Tuesday stated that 58% of Messi's income between May 2021 and May 2022 were earned $75 million “on-field” (prize money, salaries and bonuses) during the 12-month period. Off-field earnings (sponsorship deals, appearance fees and licensing income) was estimated at $55 million. Messi has sponsorship deals with the likes of Socios, Adidas, Budweiser and Pepsi. Messi moved from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in August.
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LEBRON JAMES | $121.2 million: Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James was next on the list after bringing home a combined $121 million, shattering the $96.5 million record for an NBA player that he set last year.
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CRISTIANO RONALDO | Portugal captain Ronaldo earned $115 million, and landed on the third spot, with on-field earnings estimated at $60 million and $55 million off-field.
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NEYMAR | $95 million: The Brazilian soccer star Neymar earned $95 million, of which $70 was earned on-field and $25 off-field, according to Forbes.
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STEPHEN CURRY | $92.8 million: Three-time NBA champion Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors earned $92.8 million, and rounded out the top five.
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KEVIN DURANT | $92.1 million: NBA player Kevin Durant., 33, landed on the sixth spot, with $42.1 million earned on-field and %$0 million off-field, according to the Forbes list.
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ROGER FEDERER | $90.7 million: Swiss tennis great Roger Federer, who played five tournaments in 2021 before a knee operation curtailed his season, was listed with total earnings of $90.7 million.
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CANELO ALVAREZ | $90 million: Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez, 31, earned a total of $90 million, of which an estimated $85 million was on-field and $5 million off-field. Álvarez (real name: Santos Saúl Álvarez Barragán) has won multiple world championships in four weight classes from light middleweight to light heavyweight.
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TOM BRADY | $83.9 million: Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady earned $83.9 million, of which $31.9 million were on-field and $52 million off-field. Brady tallied three MVP awards and six All-Pro selections across 22 seasons, and he retires as the all-time leader in completions (7,263), touchdowns (624), passing yards (84,520), and quarterback wins (243).
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GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO | $80.9 million: The reigning NBA Finals’ Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo earned an estimated $80.9 million, of which $39.9 million was on-field and $41 million off-field. Antetokounmpo's nationality, in addition to his size, speed, strength, and ball-handling skills have earned him the nickname "Greek Freak”.
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