[Epoch Times, May 13, 2022](Epoch Times reporter Lin Zirong reported) According to the 2022 Global Athlete Earnings Ranking released by US media Sportico on May 12, NBA basketball player LeBron James (LeBron James) had the highest revenue at about $126.9 million.
Here’s a rundown of the 10 highest-paid athletes in the world in 2022:
1st place: LeBron James）
NBA player LeBron James plays for the Los Angeles Lakers as a small forward. He has won the 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013 NBA regular season MVP honors. James’ salary of $36.9 million plus sponsorships of $90 million is $126.9 million.
Second place: Lionel Messi）
Lionel Messi was born in 1987 and is a football player. He has won seven FIFA Ballon d’Or, the 2014 World Cup Ballon d’Or, and six World Footballer of the Year honors. Messi’s $72 million salary plus $50 million in sponsorships totals $122 million.
Third place: Cristiano Ronaldo）
Football player Cristiano Ronaldo, referred to as “Cristiano Ronaldo”, has won many awards such as the Ballon d’Or in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017. Ronaldo’s salary of $60 million plus sponsorships of $55 million makes a total of $115 million.
Fourth place: Neymar
Neymar‧up to‧Silva‧Santos‧Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, or Neymar for short, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a striker. He won the Champions League Golden Boot and the King’s Cup Golden Boot in the 2014-2015 season. Neymar’s salary of $65 million plus sponsorships of $38 million makes a total of $103 million.
the fifth placeBy: Canelo Alvarez
Carneiro Alvarez is a Mexican professional boxer. He was the World Boxing Organization (WBO) champion from 2016 to 2017. Alvarez’s $84 million salary plus $5 million in sponsorships totals $89 million.
Sixth: Stephen Curry
NBA player Stephen Curry plays for the Golden State Warriors as a point guard. He won the 2014-2015 season and the 2015-2016 season of the American Professional Basketball League Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) and other honors. Curry’s $41.2 million salary plus $45 million in sponsorships totals $86.2 million.
Seventh: Kevin Durant
NBA player Kevin Durant plays for the Brooklyn Nets as a forward. He won the 2013-2014 NBA regular season MVP and other honors. Durant’s $37.9 million salary plus $48 million in sponsorships totals $85.9 million.
Eighth: Roger Federer
Roger Federer is a Swiss male professional tennis player. Federer is a 20-time champion and 11-time runner-up in the Grand Slam men’s singles. Federer’s $724,000 salary plus $85 million in sponsorships totals $85.7 million.
9th: James Harden
NBA player James Harden plays for the Philadelphia 76ers as a guard. He won the 2017-2018 NBA regular season MVP and other honors. Harden’s $40 million salary plus $36 million in sponsorships totals $76 million.
10th: Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods, born in 1975, is an American golfer who was ranked No. 1 in the golf world in 2009 and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019. He has won the Masters, World Challenge and many other championships. Woods’ $8.5 million salary plus $65 million in sponsorships totals $73.5 million.
Responsible editor: Li Rongshi