Top 15 Richest Sportsmen in 2015

Here are the top 15 highest paid athletes in the world of 2015, according to Forbes.

15) Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Earnings: $39 million)

This 33-year-old Swedish striker led Paris Saint-Germain in goals and to the French league title for the third year in a row. He signaled an end to his long term sponsorship deal with Nike in the late 2014 by wearing a pair of cleats with the swoosh logo barely visible.

14) Lewis Hamilton (Earnings: $39 million)

British Formula One Racing driver Lewis Hamilton won his second Formula One World Championship last year. He inked a three year contract extension in May to drive for Mercedes Formula One team. The deal kicks in with the 2016 season and could pay out more than $140 million.

13) Novak Djokovic (Earnings: $48 million)

This 28-year-old tennis player appeared in the finals of 13 of the last 18 Grand Slams since the beginning of 2011. During these years he has won seven Grand Slams and earned $59 million in prize money. He signed lucrative endorsement deals last year with ANZ, Peugeot, Jacob’s Creek and Seiko.

12) Rory McIlroy (Earnings: $48.5 million)

Northern Irish professional golf player Rory McIlroy’s five PGA wins in the last 12 months earned him $16.3 million in prize money and bonuses from his chief sponsor Nike. He replaced Tiger Woods as the face of Electronic Arts golf video game.

11) Ben Roethlisberger (Earnings: $49 million)

American football quarterback Benjamin Todd “Ben” Roethlisberger plays for Pittsburg Steelers of the NFL. He signed a four-year $87.4 million extension with the team. The deal included $31 million signing bonus.

10) Kobe Bryant (Earnings: $49.5 million)

American professional basketball player Kobe Bryant had the highest salary in the NBA for the fifth straight year at $23.5 million in 2014-15. He took a $7 million pay cut on his Laker’s salary last season under the two year $48.5 million extension he signed in 2013.

9) Tiger Woods (Earnings: $50.5 million)

This 39-year-old American professional golf player is among the most successful golfers of all time. Due to his elbow and back injuries he made only seven cuts in 13 events during 2014 and the first half of 2015. His prize money was only $600,000 over the last 12 months

8) Phil Mickelson (Earnings: $51 million)

American professional golfer Philip Alfred Mickelson makes more than $40 million annually from appearances and endorsement partners Barclays, Callaway, Exxon Mobil, KPMG, Amgen and Rolex.

7) Kevin Durant (Earnings: $54 million)

American professional basketball player Kevin Wayne Durant plays with the Oklahoma City Thunder of the NBA. The 2015-16 season is the final year on the $85 million deal this 26-year-old player signed with the team in 2010.

6) LeBron James (Earnings: $65 million)

American professional basketball player LeBron Raymone James returned to Cleveland in July 2014 when he signed a two-year $42.1 million contract after four seasons in Miami.

5) Roger Federer (Earnings: $67 million)

Roger Federer holds the records for most singles Grand Slam wins (17) and career prize money ($90 million). He has signed long term endorsement deals with reputed brands like Rolex, Nike and Credit Suisse. His sponsors pay him more than $40 million every year.

4) Lionel Messi (Earnings: $74 million)

Argentine professional soccer player Lionel Andres “Leo” Messi’s main sponsor Adidas launched a Messi icon line of shoes and apparel which has exceeded company sales expectations. This 28-year-old talented player got $9 million a year raise in 2014. He will be earning $50 million annually till 2018.

3) Cristiano Ronaldo (Earnings: $79.5 million)

Currently this Portuguese professional soccer player earns more than $50 million annually in salary and bonuses alone. He has signed mega sponsorship deals with Nike. He has grown his CR7 fashion brand by launching a line of premium shirts and shoes.

2) Manny Pacquiao (Earnings: $160 million)

Emmanuel “Manny” Dapidran Pacquiao is a Filipino world champion professional boxer. He was paid $125 million for his fight against Floyd Mayweather. This 36-year-old pugilist’s boxing earnings include $23 million for his November fight against Chris Algieri.

1) Floyd Mayweather (Earnings: $300 million)

American professional boxer Floyd Joy Mayweather, Jr. topped the list again. Undefeated as a professional, this 38-year-old champion is the highest-paid athlete in the world. His $300 million earnings broke the record held by Tiger Woods, who had made $115 million in 2008. The May 2 fight between the two world champions Mayweather and Pacquiao broke many boxing financial records, including total gate ($73 million) and sponsorships ($13 million). This bout might have grossed more than $600 million.  He is the sixth richest athlete of all-time

Compiled: Adekunle Adewale