Pictures: top 10 richest sports stars of all time
Basketball players and golfers dominate Forbes’s list of the world’s top-earning athletes
Michael Jordan is the highest-paid athlete of all time according to a new sports rich list published by Forbes.
Basketball star Jordan is one of the best players in NBA history but off the court he has proved his business credentials with a number of major endorsement deals with companies such as Nike and Gatorade.
Now the owner of the Charlotte Hornets NBA franchise, Jordan is also part of the group approved to buy Major League Baseball’s Miami Marlins, according to a report in the Charlotte Observer published in September.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Jordan’s career earnings of $1.85billion (£1.37bn) see him top a list that includes golfer Tiger Woods, Formula 1 icon Michael Schumacher, England footballer David Beckham and recently-retired boxer Floyd Mayweather.
According to Forbes, the earnings estimates include the following:
- Salaries
- Bonuses
- Prize money
- Endorsements
- Licensing
- Fees from books, golf course designs and appearances
Estimates cover the time the athlete turned professional through to 1 June 2017. The figures are adjusted for inflation.
Click the gallery above to see the top 10 richest sports stars of all time.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The Importance of Being Earnest: Wilde classic given 'fizzing' update
The Week Recommends Ncuti Gatwa and Sharon D. Clarke star in this 'bold and brash' reboot
By The Week UK Published
-
Conclave: Ralph Fiennes offers Oscar-contender performance in Vatican drama
The Week Recommends Film adaptation of Robert Harris book follows the College of Cardinals as they navigate the pope's sudden death
By The Week UK Published
-
Christmas gift guide for those who have everything
The Week Recommends Presents for those who have everything
By The Week UK Published
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
By The Week Staff Published
-
Handball: swapping bikini bottoms for tight pants
Speed Read Women competitors will be required to ‘wear short tight pants with a close fit’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Cristiano Ronaldo’s second coming
Speed Read Last week, Manchester United re-signed the forward on a two-year deal thought to be worth more than £400,000 a week
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Bank holidays and boycotts: are MPs trying to jinx England?
Speed Read Declaring a bank holiday would be ‘tempting fate’, says Boris Johnson
By The Week Staff Published
-
Weightlifting: Olympic Games set for transgender first
Speed Read New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard will make history at Tokyo 2020
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sport shorts: Champions League expansion plan to be agreed
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Joachim Low and the Lions women’s team
By Mike Starling Published
-
Sport shorts: Sturgeon slams Rangers fans over title celebrations
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Keely Hodgkinson and Bryson DeChambeau
By Mike Starling Published
-
Sport shorts: Klopp’s unwanted record as Liverpool lose again at Anfield
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Tiger Woods and Tom Brady
By Mike Starling Published