Do you watch sports? Do you have favorite athletes? Do you know who are the richest athletes in the world?
Sports in the modern era is a great way to entertain yourself. Your favorite athletes work hard to remain on the top of the list. Their hard work is reflected in the performance that they show on the field. They run from pillar to post to keep themselves fit and running in the ever-so-increasing competitive sports world.
The hard work brings them to victory and also to a lot of money. Many athletes compete professionally to attain the summit of success. The lives of your favorite athletes aren’t just restricted to playing on the field but what they do off the ground. Success in their profession further translates into a lot of money.Â
Who are the Richest Athletes in the World?Â
They play their game and engage in businesses, endorsements, investments, and whatnot only to credit enormous cash into their bank accounts.
1. Michael Jordan
Net Worth – $2.2 Billion
He is the greatest all-time player in the NBA. He has won 6 titles with Chicago Bulls. With a total net worth of $2.2 billion, Michael Jordan remains the undisputed richest athlete in the world today. He owes this huge success to his team, Charlotte Hornets.
His sponsorship with the brands like Hanes, Nike, Gatorade, and Upper Deck further multiplies money in his bank account. Now retired, Jordan played 15 seasons in the NBA with two different teams – Washington Wizards and Chicago Bulls. He is still acclaimed as the best basketball player of all time.
2. Ion Tiriac
Net Worth – $1.2 Billion
 Ion Tiriac is the second richest athlete of the world. This Romanian former ice hockey and professional tennis player successfully enjoyed his two outstanding careers. After taking retirement from both sports, he introduced Mutua Madrid Open Tennis Tournament to the world.
Besides this, Tiriac also manages a French professional tennis player, Lucas Pouille.
3. Anna Kasprzak
Net Worth – $1 Billion
She is the only female on this list and enjoys the tag of the third richest athlete in the world. Anna is a Danish dressage rider who has successfully represented her country in the Summer Olympics for two times in 2012 and 2016 respectively.Â
Her fans call her the best rider in the world. Throughout her career, she has won multiple medals and made her country proud. As of 2021, the female enjoys a whopping net worth of $1 Billion.
4. Tiger Woods
Net Worth – $800 Million
This sportsman does not need an introduction. Tiger Woods is the fourth-richest athlete in the world with a net worth of $800 Million today. Woods is known for his brilliant game of golf and also for his controversial personal life.
He is also one of the highest-paid athletes in the world every year. It clearly explains how he enjoys being in the top 5 richest sportsmen in the world.
5. Floyd Mayweather
Net Worth – $700 Million
Floyd Mayweather is a boxing champion/boxing promoter from the United States who has won a huge success throughout his career. After a celebrated career in boxing, he announced his retirement in 2017.
This 43-year-old enjoys a total net worth of $700 million. His source of wealth is professional boxing, business, and various other investments.
6. Michael Schumacher
Net Worth – $600 Million
If you are a fan of car racing, you must be well-acquainted with this name. With a huge fan following, especially among female racing enthusiasts, Michael Schumacher also happens to be the sixth richest athlete worldwide.
The now-retired German car racer enjoyed a successful racing career and won many accolades. His endorsements include renowned brands like Mercedes Benz, Deutsche Vermögensberatung, and CS Ranch.
7. Magic Johnson
Net Worth – $600 Million
Professional basketball is certainly one of the highest paying sports in the world. Magic Johnson enjoys the title of the seventh richest athlete. The former professional basketball player had a glorious career and a massive fan following during his heydays.
Now aged 60, Magic Johnson also multiplies his income from various businesses and investments.
8. Lionel Messi
Net Worth – $600 Million
Lionel Messi is one of the most celebrated football fans all around the world. This Argentine professional footballer is also considered one of the richest athletes. Currently, he plays for the Argentina National Team and Barcelona Football Club.
He has been a notorious player in his game for many years now. His football career has also won him the ‘Player of the Year’ and many other aware on multiple occasions and events. Messi enjoys a huge fan following and endorses many brands at a global level.
9. Cristiano Ronaldo
Net Worth – $500 Million
This list remains incomplete without mentioning his name in it. Cristiano, the Portuguese footballer, currently plays as a center forward for the Premier League club Manchester United. Ronaldo’s football career doesn’t need an introduction. But we cannot stop bragging about his 750 career goals that made him one of the greatest soccer players of all time today.
Just like the other athletes, Ronaldo, too, earns handsomely. His wealth source isn’t just restricted to his football but also extends to his endorsements. He talks about the brands like Nike, Tag Heuer, Herbalife, etc. He created his own brand, CR7 image. Earlier revolving around the underwear line, the brand now includes various home, leisure, and clothing products. He is also known for his philanthropic gestures. Currently, his small gesture of removing a couple of coke bottles made the company bear a $4 billion loss.
10. Lebron James
Net Worth – $500 Million
He is popular by the name ‘King James’ and enjoys his name among the top 15 richest athletes. Lebron James is another professional basketball player on the list. Currently, he is playing for Los Angeles Lakers. James boasts a successful NBA career – he has been a 4-time NBA MVP. Some of his fans call him the greatest basketball player of all time.
Apart from his successful NBA career, he is seen marketing and endorsing products of the brands like Wal-Mart, Nike, Beats Electronics, and 2K Sports. His wealth source is not just limited to basketball and multiple endorsements. James is an entrepreneur, having his investments in the franchises like Blaze Pizza (Florida and Chicago), Ladder (a health and wellness brand). He is also a part-owner of Liverpool FC.
11. David Beckham
Net Worth – $450
He is unarguably the hottest sportsman and one of the richest athletes the world has today. Although Beckham took early retirement from his glorious football career, he still manages to steal the heart of the millions.
The English footballer played for Real Madrid, Manchester United, LA Galaxy, and PSG at club level, and of course for the England National Team. His career reached the peak in the late 1990s when he played for Manchester United. During this time, he achieved fame worldwide. Currently, his net income is estimated to be $450 million.
12. Roger Federer
Net Worth – $450 Million
Roger Federer is a renowned Swiss professional tennis player with a successful career in which he had earned 20 Grand Slam men’s singles titles. He is also among the top 15 richest athletes that the world has today.
Federer enjoys a massive net worth of $450 million owing to his honorable career and many brand endorsements. As of now, he is planning to retire from his tennis career.
13. Greg Norman
Net Worth – $400 Million
He is an Australian professional golfer as well as an entrepreneur. Greg Norman also embraced the title of number one golfer in the world. Throughout his career, he has won 90 tournaments. The golfing industry calls him a sporting legend.
Greg Norman also enjoys elaborate wealth. He has an expensive mansion in Florida worth $65 million. He is also the CEO of Great White Shark Enterprises and has his own golf-course design company. As of 2021, his net worth is estimated to be a colossal $400 million.
14. Lewis Hamilton
Net Worth – $285 Million
The handsome racer of the British Formula One is among the richest athletes in the world today. Lewis Hamilton is regarded as one of the greatest drivers in the history of this sport. He also happens to be one of the highest-paid F1 drivers in the world today.
Some reports have suggested that Hamilton earns $50 million every year. As of now, his total net income has been calculated as $285 million, quite impressive we must say!
15. Gary Player
Net Worth: $250 Million
This professional golfer is one of the most revered and respected PGA golfers of all time. His fandom is not restricted to a particular region but extends all over the world. He quotes that it is his skill at the game that has helped him earn all these fans.
Gary Player also finds his name among the richest athletes in the world. As of 2021, his net income ranges around $250 million.
The above-listed names are proof that sports not only bring you fame and success but enormous money as well. For more updates on sports, entertainment, TV, and your favorite celebrities – keep it connected.
