Forbes has released an annual list of the 100 highest paid athletes in the world. Most of the places in the top ten were "captured" by basketball players, however, losing the first position to the star of Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo. And the only woman in the ranking was Serena Williams (51st place).
This is how it looks top 10 richest athletes of 2017.
10. Lewis Hamilton (auto racing)
Income - $ 46 million
Few drivers entered Formula 1 as brilliantly as Lewis Hamilton. His sensational run in 2007, in which Hamilton lost just one point to champion Kimi Raikkonen, remains one of the most remarkable rookie campaigns in history. In the following years, the British driver won three world championships and established himself as one of the most aggressive and toughest riders in the world. Simply put, when it comes to driving a Formula 1 car, there are very few areas in which Hamilton is not an absolute champion. He has a € 140 million contract with the Mercedes factory team until the end of 2018.
9. James Harden (basketball)
Income - $ 46.6 million
The NBA superstar playing for the Houston Rockets is famous not only for his victories, but also for his luxurious beard, which has become a popular print for t-shirts, inspired songs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMbibT7nhEg&feature= player_embedded #!) and even has a separate Twitter account. It makes the 27-year-old athlete look older than he really is. Harden has a $ 200 million advertising contract with Adidas.
8. Stephen Curry (basketball)
Income - $ 47.3 million
In May 2016, Curry became the first person to be named Most Valuable Player in NBA history by unanimous vote, and one of 11 players to receive the MVP (Most Valuable Player) award for two consecutive years. Curry has contracts with several companies, including sportswear and accessories maker Under Armor and Unilever (in this case, the brave basketball player advertises Degree men's deodorant).
7. Rory McIlroy (golf)
Earned - $ 50 million
Along with Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, McIlroy is one of three players to win three Majors by age 25. This Northern Irish golfer is the current face of EA Sports' PGA Tour series.
6. Andrew Luck (American football)
Received for 2016-2017. - $ 50 million
The Indianapolis Colts quarterback. In 2016, Lak renewed his contract with his club for six years. For this he will receive $ 140 million, which makes the athlete the highest paid player in the league.
5. Kevin Durant (basketball)
Annual earnings - $ 60.6 million
The NBA superforward has multi-million dollar advertising deals with Under Armor, Foot Locker and Nike. is he highest paid athlete of the Olympics in Rio. At the same time, the black giant is known not only as one of the best basketball players of all time, but also as a philanthropist, artist and writer.And in 2012, he tried his hand at cinematography, appearing in the film "Like a Thunderbolt". True, the film received cool reviews from both viewers and critics, but this is not Durant's fault.
4. Roger Federer (tennis)
Financial proceeds - $ 64 million
The only tennis player on the 2017 list of the richest celebrities in the world of sports, known for his good deeds He founded the Federer Foundation, which helps children in the poorest regions of the world. Federer in his native Switzerland also has the nickname "Sandwich Man" for a large number of sponsorship contracts. Its advertising box includes such giants as Mercedes-Benz, Credit Suisse, Rolex, Gillette and Nike.
3. Lionel Messi (soccer)
Income - $ 80 million
The top three athletes with the highest earnings in 2017 are opened by the captain of Barcelona and the eternal rival of Cristiano Ronaldo for the title of the best football player in the world. Messi has played in three World Cups (2006, 2010 and 2014) and three America's Football Cups (2007, 2011 and 2015). In the summer of 2008, he also played at the Beijing Olympics, and returned home with a gold medal. Messi earns his millions not only on the football field, he has advertising contracts with Adidas, Turkish Airlines, Lays and other brands.
2. LeBron James (basketball)
Earned - $ 86.2
The best player in the NBA is also the highest paid basketball player in the world, and has every chance to press the current king of the rich sports rankings next year. Not bad for a kid who got into the 2003 NBA draft straight out of high school. James has a lifetime contract with Nike, as well as agreements with Coca-Cola and Kia.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (football)
Received in the last year - $ 93 million
Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo topping the Forbrs' Highest-Paid Sports Stars rankings was expected, given that he had arguably the most successful 12 months in football history. In addition to his recent victory in the UEFA Champions League, Ronaldo also won the title of best player in the domestic La Liga, and won the European Championship with the Portuguese national team. And in December 2016, the footballer was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player in the world. He renewed his contract with Real Madrid, which will pay Cristiano over $ 50 million a year for the next four years.