Sportsmen have always been given huge respect around the globe. Each sport enjoys its own vast fan following, which makes the athletes most loved.
This in turn makes them a brand in themselves as many companies come around to associate with them. This adds to their earnings and increases their net worth altogether.
Here are the 20 highest-paid athletes of all time and their career earnings (inflation-adjusted) to date.
1. Michael Jordan
Career Earnings: $2.62 billion
Sport: Basketball
Nationality: American
2. Tiger Woods
Career Earnings: $2.1 billion
Sport: Golf
Nationality: American
3. Arnold Palmer
Career Earnings: $1.5 billion
Sport: Golf
Nationality: American
4. Jack Nicklaus
Career Earnings: $1.38 billion
Sport: Golf
Nationality: American
5. Cristiano Ronaldo
Career Earnings: $1.24 billion
Sport: Soccer
Nationality: Portugese
6. Floyd Mayweather
Career Earnings: $1.2 billion
Sport: Boxing
Nationality: American
7. LeBron James
Career Earnings: $1.17 billion
Sport: Basket Ball
Nationality: American
8. Lionel Messi
Career Earnings: $1.14 billion
Sport: Soccer
Nationality: Argentine
9. Michael Schumacher
Career Earnings: $1.13 billion
Sport: Formula One
Nationality: German
10. Roger Federer
Career Earnings: $1.12 billion
Sport: Tennis
Nationality: Swiss
11. Phil Mickelson
Career Earnings: $1.08 billion
Sport: Golf
Nationality: American
12. David Beckham
Career Earnings: $1.08 billion
Sport: Soccer
Nationality: British
13. Kobe Bryant
Career Earnings: $930 Million
Sport: Basketball
Nationality: American
14. Shaquille O’Neal
Career Earnings: $870 Million
Sport: Basketball
Nationality: American
15. Greg Norman
Career Earnings: $815 Million
Sport: Golf
Nationality: Australian
16. Mike Tyson
Career Earnings: $775 Million
Sport: Golf
Nationality: American
17. Alex Rodriguez
Career Earnings: $650 Million
Sport: Baseball
Nationality: American
18. Manny Pacquiao
Career Earnings: $630 Million
Sport: Boxing
Nationality: Filipino
19. Kevin Durant
Career Earnings: $625 Million
Sport: Basketball
Nationality: American
20. Lewis Hamilton
Career Earnings: $620 Million
Sport: Formula One
Nationality: British
