An analysis by sports business publication Sportico has revealed the top 50 athletes by all-time earnings – with one notable NBA star rising high above the rest.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan was determined to be the richest athlete in history. The outlet estimates that he has earned over $4.5billion when adjusted for inflation.
The basketball star’s empire of shoes and endorsements catapulted him high above the rest of the field – with all 50 athletes combining for a total of $56billion in earnings.
Behind Jordan is another (now former) Nike athlete, Tiger Woods. Adjusted for inflation, Woods has earned over $2.8billion across his lengthy and ongoing career.
Rounding out the top five are a pair of global football rivals as third-place Cristiano Ronaldo ($2.52billion) beat out fifth-place Lionel Messi ($1.99b).
Between the two of them is another NBA star, LeBron James – who is estimated to have earned $2.03billion when adjusted for inflation.
Basketball icon Michael Jordan topped the list of the highest-earning athletes in history
Golf superstar Tiger Woods came right behind Jordan in the rankings, finishing second
Cristiano Ronaldo (L) and Lionel Messi (R) maintained their rivalry, coming third and fifth
Tom Brady came 21st on the list and sat as the top earner for American football
Tennis icon Serena Williams was the only woman represented on the list, finishing 40th
By nation, 31 of the 50 athletes represented on this list are Americans – vastly overwhelming other countries. The only other nations with repeat members are England (David Beckham and Lewis Hamilton) and Spain (Rafael Nadal and Fernando Alonso).
On a breakdown by sport, 13 of the people on the list are basketball players. The next most-common athletes were golfers – with eight represented – followed by seven motorsport athletes, seven boxers, five tennis players, four footballers and four American football stars.
Among those sports, Roger Federer (9th, $1.67b) led for tennis, Floyd Mayweather (10th, $1.57b) was the top boxer, Michael Schumacher (12th, $1.42b) crossed the line first for motor racing and Tom Brady (21st, $890m) was the top NFL earner.
Tennis icon Serena Williams was the only woman represented on the list, sitting tied for 40th and earning an estimated $680million.
The outlet determined the list’s estimations by chatting with industry insiders, their own research, and historical estimates in other outlets such as Forbes and Sports Illustrated.
The calculations included salaries, bonuses, prize money, purses, endorsements, licensing, royalties, memorabilia, book deals, media, appearance fees and – when necessary – golf course design fees.
Equity stakes in sponsor companies after sales were completed were also included.
