Max Verstappen - $42.5M

Max Verstappen was born to a family that was invested in motorsports. His father is a Dutch former "Formula One" driver, whereas his mother was a kart racer. Even though Verstappen was born in Belgium, he competes for "Red Bull Racing" in "Formula One" under the Dutch flag. Perhaps he wants to take right after his father.

Verstappen is yet to win a championship, but he has already secured 17 career wins in 133 starts. He finished third in the 2020 season and earned millions in bonus payments. His annual earnings of $42.5 million are impressive, and he still has a long way to go in his career.

Danica Patrick - $60M

Danica Patrick is the first and only woman to ever win an IndyCar Series race, making her one of the best racing drivers in the world. In addition, she is a woman in a male-dominated discipline.
Although she has not yet won in the NASCAR tournament, she has managed to place in pole position on two occasions. This has attracted the attention not only of fans, but also of brands that are willing to support her. Her retirement from racing with an approximate net worth of $60 million dollars plus endorsements, let us know that she does not need to consult the classified ads for a long time?

Tiger Woods - $60M

Tiger Woods's place in the World Tennis Rankings may have fallen exponentially, but his raw talent was already proven during the 683 weeks he spent at the very top of the list. Today, Woods has a net worth of $800 million, despite losing $100 million in a divorce settlement in 2010.

Lately, Woods has been on the sidelines due to suffering physical injuries from a car crash that happened in February 2021. However, that hasn't kept the money from flowing into his bank account, especially since he has endorsement deals with brands such as "Bridgestone," "Nike," and "Rolex." In 2021, his cumulative earnings came up to $60 million.

Russell Westbrook - $59M

Russell Westbrook played for "Oklahoma City Thunder" for the first eleven seasons of his professional basketball career. After being traded for two other teams, he now plays for the "Los Angeles Lakers" of the "NBA." He has also represented the United States as a member of their national team at the 2010 "FIBA Basketball World Cup" and the 2012 "Olympic Games."

A nine-time All-Star pick, Westbrook has built a fortune of $170 million and made $59 million before taxes in 2021. He has an ongoing deal with "Nike," endorsing their "Jordan" collection. Let's not forget his businesses. Westbrook owns ten car dealerships in Los Angeles, contributing to his annual earnings.

Paige VanZant - $3.5M

The 27-year-old Oregon native, who has been a hunting fanatic since she was a child, is one of the UFC's most valued and relevant competitors.
Her charisma and charm made her fans forget that she is not a champion and support her in a career that went beyond the fight cage. She participated in Dancing with the Stars and Chopped in addition to working as a model. Her most recent project is a book where she tells about her struggles and her rise to fame. In total, she is worth about $3.5 million.

Golf is undoubtedly one of the sports that has recently become very lucrative, especially for the women who compete in it. An example of this is the Thai Ariya Jutanugarn who has generated the not inconsiderable figure of 4 million dollars in her career, although this does not even represent half of her money. Her fortune is even greater thanks to the importance of golf in Thailand, which makes its players a valuable commodity. Endorsements have followed her number one world ranking, not to mention her victory in the U.S. and British Women's Opens.

Skiing is one of the few sports in the world where there is equal pay for men and women. Even so, it is one of the sports with the lowest salaries and in order not to have a second job you need to be among the top 10 in the world. It was not enough for Lindsey Vonn to be one of the 10 best female skiers today, so she is now one of the best of the last 30 or 40 years. We can say that Lindsay is an exception and that is because she has a net worth of 8 million dollars.

Steffi Graf - $30 Million

 

Steffi Graf is undoubtedly the greatest tennis player of all time. She dominated the podium from the late 1980s to the mid-1990s. She accumulates the not inconsiderable amount of 22 victories in individual tournaments in a career of just under 17 years. His tournament earnings are $22 million, to which we must add a long history of lucrative sponsorships that continue to this day. He remains a heavyweight in the tennis world, with a net worth of $30 million.

Naomi Osaka - $60M

Since she is the first woman we came across on this list, it would conclude that Naomi Osaka is the highest-paid female athlete in the world in 2021. She is also one of two women to make this list. A four-time "Grand Slam" champion, Osaka represents Japan instead of the United States, where she grew up.

Osaka is worth $25 million, which will only continue to grow if she continues to be among the highest-paid athletes in the future. Businesses are lining up to sponsor her, and she already has endorsement deals with 'Workday," "Louis Vuitton," and "Airbnb." In fact, $50 million of her $60 million earnings reportedly came from endorsements.

Serena Williams - $41.5M

Serena Williams is the second highest-earning female athlete in the world in 2021. She is no stranger to making millions in prize money and winning large bonuses and is also not an amateur as a brand ambassador. A former World Number One, Williams has won 23 "Grand Slam" singles titles throughout her career.

Now also a mother of one, Williams is worth $210 million. She continues to make over $40 million every year ($41.5 million in 2021), of which a fair share consists of money from sponsorships. Some of the brands she represents are "Nike," "Gatorade," and "Wilson." Williams also has her very own holding company named "Serena Ventures."

Ana Ivanovic grew up in what is now known as Serbia. The conflicts that plagued the former Yugoslavia did not stop her desire to become one of the best tennis players in the world and so, inspired by the great Yugoslav tennis player Monica Seles, of Hungarian origin, she achieved it. Her milestones are marked by being the winner of the French Open in 2008 and accumulating more than 15 million dollars in prize money from 2003 to 2016, when she retired. While her value is very high, it grew even more when she married German footballer Bastian Schweinsteiger, who is worth about 80 million dollars, thus adding up to a net worth of close to 100 million dollars.

 

Enshrined as the youngest woman to win five championships at just 22 years old, Taiwan's Yani Tseng certainly deserves a place on this list. Her heyday was between 2008 and 2012, where in addition to occupying the number one position in the women's golf rankings for 109 consecutive weeks, she became one of the most influential figures according to Time magazine. Although her career has taken a downward turn, Tseng has earned more than $10 million in prize money and her net worth despite the years is still close to $8 million.

It was Pelé who nicknamed Marta Vieira "Pelé in skirts". That's enough to know who we're talking about. She has broken records for both men and women, having scored 17 goals in World Cup matches. She has won the FIFA World Player of the Year award five times, a record only she can currently hold. Although women's soccer does not reach the figures of men's soccer, Marta can say with confidence that between prizes and sponsorships she has accumulated a fortune of around 13 million dollars.

Simone Biles - $10 Millions

While she didn't start out as one of the "Fierce Five" that swept the 2012 Olympics, by that time Simone Biles had already earned some $2 million in prize money and sponsorships. Her career as well as her net worth continued to climb by the time Rio 2016 came around, accumulating by that time $4 million.
Biles' arrival in Tokyo was one of the most anticipated and everything that happened around her outside the sporting arena made many brands want to associate her image with the message she conveyed. We don't know if it was a premeditated decision, but we do know that it generated a net worth of $10 million.

Novak Djokovic - $34.5M

Novak Djokovic is currently atop the tennis world rankings and has been so for a record 339 weeks in total. This Serbian athlete was so passionate about the sport that he began competing at the age of four. He hasn't been let down by the sport, either.

Djokovic earned $34.5 million in the fiscal year that ended in June 2021, which was less than what he made in the previous year ($45 million). He is worth $220 million, which is all thanks to his professional tennis.  "Seiko," "Peugeot," "Adidas," and "Lacoste" are among the brands he endorses, contributing to his net annual earnings.

Roger Federer - $90M

In the present, Roger Federer is at ninth place in the tennis world rankings. However, tennis fans know that he topped that list for 310 weeks in total in the past. He is one of three people to hold the record for 20 "Grand Slam" men's singles titles.

According to "Celebrity Net Worth," Federer is worth $450 million. Even though it may seem like a fortune to us, it is approximately five years of earnings to him. Federer made $90 million in 2021, which of course, includes the payment from his ten-year $300 million deal with "Uniqlo" and the annual $8 million payout for endorsing "Rolex."

Conor McGregor - $180M

Conor McGregor may not have the typical giant posture you'd expect from a martial artist, but his mighty appearance and win history are adequate to instill fear in his opponents. Lately, it seems as though he cannot make up his mind about retiring as he's been on and off the ring a few times.

His finances don't have much power over his decision. Why? Because he already has a $200 million fortune. However, seeing as he topped "Forbes"'s World's Highest-Paid Athletes list, banking a whopping $180 million in 2021. If he makes that kind of money annually for a couple of more years, he could holiday the rest of his life.

Lionel Messi - $130M

Coming right in second place is the world-famous football legend Lionel Messi, with annual earnings of $130 million. In 2021, he broke the hearts of "Barcelona FC" fans by leaving after 17 years and signed with "Paris Saint-Germain." Nevertheless, he will always be an Argentinian at heart and continues to play (and captain) for the national team.

Of course, a sports star like Messi has multiple sources of income. In addition to his pay from "Paris Saint-Germain," Messi generates money from his lifestyle brand "The Messi Store." Let's not forget endorsements. Did you know that Messi has a lifelong endorsement contract with "Adidas" that brings in $25 million every year?

Cristiano Ronaldo - $120M

Bill Gates once said, "if you are born poor, it's not your mistake, but if you die poor, it's your mistake." Well, Cristiano Ronaldo can own that statement because he grew up in poverty but turned his life around to be worth half a billion dollars as of 2021.

Ronaldo returned to "Manchester United" in 2021. During that time, he played for "Real Madrid" and "Juventus." His accumulated career earnings have exceeded a billion dollars, out of which $120 million was made in 2021. In addition to the club salary, Ronaldo earns heaps more as a brand ambassador. His lifetime deal with "Nike" alone will bring him $20 million every year.

Dak Prescott - $107.5M

According to "Celebrity Net Worth," the American football quarterback Dak Prescott is only worth $40 million. However, in the year ending 2021, his income stood at a record $107.5 million, which primarily consisted of the $66 million signing bonus he got from the four-year contract extension signed with the "Dallas Cowboys."

Prescott's contract will earn him $160 million across four years. Since he has now invested in "Walk On's" casual dining restaurant group in Texas, he can expect his net income to grow in the upcoming years. Prescott has been with the Cowboys since 2016 but is yet to win an "NFL Championship."

LeBron James - $96.5M

This list wouldn't be complete if an "NBA" player didn't make it to the top five. Coming in fifth is the legendary basketball player LeBron James who made $96.5 million in 2021. Nicknamed "King James," he currently plays for the "Los Angeles Lakers."

It has been nearly two decades since James was drafted to the league, and he's built an estimated fortune of $850 million, as per Forbes. A four-time "NBA" Champion and MVP, James's annual income isn't surprising as he has a four-year contract worth $153 million with the Lakers. Like other star athletes, he's got an extensive endorsement portfolio plus other income sources like a production company, SpringHill Entertainment.

Neymar - $95M

If you are confused about what career path to choose, professional football might be the way to go. Why? Because paychecks of talented and successful players come in eight-figure sums, and no one says no to truckloads of cash. The Brazilian star footballer Neymar made $95 million in a year, which is more than most people would in a lifetime.

Neymar is worth $200 million, which surely is an impressive figure for someone still in their 20s. Playing forward for "Paris Saint-Germain," Neymar renewed his contract with the club in May 2021. His fixed salary, performance bonuses, and endorsement deals are only his main income sources.

Lewis Hamilton - $82M

Most men grow up obsessed with vehicles and also love driving once they obtain their driver's license. Imagine getting to drive as a profession and becoming a millionaire from it. Well, that's the story of Lewis Hamilton's life. Today, he is among the world's highest-paid athletes, taking an estimated $82 million every year.

Hamilton is the only other "Formula One" driver in addition to Miachel Schumacher to have won seven "World Drivers' Championship" titles. Since he has a striking sense of style, "Tommy Hilfiger" was quick to sign a partnership deal with him. Other companies he endorses include "Monster Energy," "Puma," and "Sony."

Tom Brady - $76M

After 20 seasons with the "New England Patriots" of the "NFL," Tom Brady took his fans by surprise after signing a two-year contract with the "Tampa Bay Buccaneers" in 2020. The contract is worth $50 million in guaranteed money, which means his minimum income for one year would be $25 million.

Since Brady does a lot more than just play football, his annual income came up to $76 million. Other income sources include endorsements with brands such as "UGG" and "Tag Heuer" and his lifestyle brand "TB12."Considered the best quarterback of all time, Brady has won seven "Super Bowl Championships" so far, becoming "NFL" MVP thrice.

Kevin Durant - $75M

After spending most of his career with "Oklahoma City Thunder," Kevin Durant has been playing for the "Brooklyn Nets" since 2019. He signed a four-year deal worth $164 million with them, which has contributed significantly to his growing net worth of $200 million.

Durant's career highlights include two "NBA Championship" wins, both of which happened during his time with the "Golden State Warriors." He has also represented the United States in basketball at the "Olympic Games," winning three gold medals. An avid investor, Durant reportedly also makes around $40 million from sponsorships. That's almost as much as his salary from the team.

 

Patrick Mahomes - $54.5M

Patrick Mahomes's net worth may only be $40 million, but it looks like he is on the right path to keep multiplying it. Did you know that the "Kansas City Chiefs," with whom he's been since 2017, offered him a ten-year contract extension worth up to $503 million in 2020?

Of course, he took it. Who would turn down that kind of money? A one-time "Super Bowl" champion, "NFL," and "Super Bowl" MVP, Mahomes made $54.5 million in 2021. It includes paychecks from brands he represents, such as "Adidas" and "Head & Shoulders." According to Forbes, he also signed a new equity deal with "BioSteel Sports Nutrition."

James Harden - $51M

Once your net worth comes as high as $165 million, the right investments alone can bring in a good annual income. Since James Harden is also still active as a professional basketball player as part of the "Brooklyn Nets," he is the 26th highest-paid athlete in the world.

The 2018 league MVP is also a nine-time All-Star pick. His success has influenced companies to reach out to him with offers to become their brand ambassador. Like many sports stars, Harden, too, has an incredible endorsement portfolio, which includes brands like "Adidas" and "BodyArmor." They are all means that contributed to his $51 million annual earnings.

David Bakhtiari - $48.5M

Born in San Mateo, California, David Bakhtiari played college football at the University of Colorado. In 2013, he was drafted to the "NFL" by the "Green Bay Packers" and hasn't looked back since. Bakhtiari plays the position of offensive tackle and has collected a fortune of $18 million.

It may not seem like much, but the four-year extension he signed with the Packers in 2020 ensures a net cash inflow of $105.5 million. Therefore, we're assuming his total wealth will have increased by the end of the contract. Bakhtiari makes an average of $23 million in salaries for one year although, his accumulated earnings for 2021 was $48.5 million.

Ronnie Stanley - $47.5M

It has only been five years since Ronnie Stanley was drafted to the "NFL," but he has already made a fortune of $30 million. Let's not forget the career highlights like the 2019 Pro-Bowl earn and first-team All-Pro honors. With that said, we're not surprised that the "Baltimore Ravens" wanted to extend his contract by another five years.

The renewal took place in 2020, and the contract is believed to have a value of approximately $100 million. As per "NBC Sports," Stanley has an endorsement deal with the shoe company "Zappos." Surely, there must be more because his yearly income came up to $47.5 million.

Giannis Antetokounmpo - $47M

Giannis Antetokounmpo's nickname, "Greek Freak," may sound racist, but it's not what you think. Well, he is Greek, and he's got basketball skills that are out of this world, which gave birth to the rhyming moniker. With a super height of six feet and 11 inches, Antetokounmpo was meant to be a basketball player.

The young athlete was drafted to the "NBA" in 2013 when he was merely a teenager, and today, he is worth a whopping $70 million, while also making an annual income of $47 million. It looks like the "Milwaukee Bucks" really need him in the team. His quick success invited sponsorships from brands like "Nike."

Dustin Johnson - $44.5M

Dustin Johnson is a name that golf fans are very fond of these days. Why? Because he is currently world number one in the Official World Golf Ranking list. Johnson plays in the "PGA Tour," and so far, has six World Golf Championships—a number only beaten by Tiger Woods.

In 2020, Johnson won the "FedEx Cup" and took home $15 million in prize money. However, it was only a fraction of his net earnings of $44.5 million that year. He has endorsement deals with putting mat maker "Perfect Practice" and the sports equipment manufacturing company "TaylorMade."

Klay Thompson - $44.5M

Coming in a tie with Dustin Johnson for annual earnings of $44.5 million is the "NBA" player Klay Thompson. The older generation might remember his father, former star "NBA" player, Mychal Thompson. Today, Klay has a net worth of $60 million.

One of the greatest shooters in the league and a three-time "NBA" champion, Klay's contract with the "Golden State Warriors" was renewed for $190 million for a further five years in 2019. Since he has multiple sources of income, such as partnerships with businesses like "Anta" and "NERF" and his co-owned business, "Just Live CBD," Klay making it to this list is no surprise.

Joey Bosa - $44M

Having extraordinary skills in a sport is equal to earning big bucks, especially if it's a game like football. After playing college football at "Ohio State University," the "San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers" drafted Joey Bosa to the "NFL" in 2016. During these five years and while still in his mid-20s, the Chargers' outside linebacker has made himself a fortune of $25 million.

The renewal of his contract for a further five years in 2020 was valued at $135 million, which is reportedly the highest number offered in the franchise's history. The Chargers must really need him by their side. In the last 12 months, Bosa banked $44 million.

Kyrie Irving - $44M

Even though Kyrie Irving started his professional basketball career with the "Cleveland Cavaliers," followed by the "Boston Celtics," he is currently signed with the "Brooklyn Nets." The Nets offered him a four-year deal worth $141 million, which is not something that even a millionaire can turn down.

A seven-time All-Star pick, who has contributed to one "NBA" Championship win, Irving currently nets a fortune of $90 million. Since he still has a visible journey ahead of him, making roughly $44 million annually, his net worth will multiply in no time. In 2018, Drew played the title character in the film "Uncle Drew," which made way for new endorsement deals for him.

Jalen Ramsey - $43.5M

Jalen Ramsey may have started his professional football career as a cornerback, but recent reports from RamsWire on "USA Today Sports" reveal that he is now the "NFL's best defensive back." Well, that explains why the team was willing to pay him $105 million in 2020 to have him for another five years. That makes his annual salary approximately $21 million.

Well, that's only his salary, though. In 2021, he took home a total of $43.5 million in earnings, which can only mean that he has other sources of income as well. A four-time Pro-Bowl pick, Ramsey boasts equity deals with "BioSteel Sports Nutrition" and alternative asset investment platform "Rally."

Trent Williams - $43.5M

Trent Williams played college football at the "University of Oklahoma" and was identified as one of the best offensive tackles available at the 2010 "NFL" draft. Therefore, the "Washington Redskins" offered a six-year contract worth $60 million, and Williams was quick to grab it. Making $10 million per year is great stuff for a newbie in the league.

An eight-time Pro-Bowler, Williams now plays for the "San Francisco 49ers, who extended his contract in 2021, offering a whopping $138 million for six years. That is more than double the value he started with in 2010. With real estate trading and other investments, Williams made $43.5 million in 2021.

Myles Garrett - $43M

Myles Garrett excelled in sports since he was a high school student in Arlington, Texas. In addition to taking part in track events, he played basketball and football although, ultimately, it was the latter that would go on to make him a millionaire.

Garrett's professional career started with the "Cleveland Browns" in 2017, and he continues to play for them today. Even though his net worth is $12 million, as per "Celebrity Net Worth," surely it'll rocket in the future as he made $43 million in 2021 alone. After all, he still has the majority of his five-year $125 million contract with the Browns left to go.

 

Phil Mickelson - $41M

Phil Mickelson launched his professional golfing career in 1992. It has been almost three decades, and he's still going at it. In fact, his most recent win at the 2021 "PGA Championship" made him the oldest golfer in history to have won a major championship.

With a total of 45 event wins in the "PGA Tour," the cumulative prize money won over Mickelson's career exceeds $94 million. He is also an entrepreneur, the co-founder of "Coffee For Wellness," all of which contributed to his yearly earnings of $41 million. Mickelson's endorsement portfolio is pretty big with ongoing contracts with "Callaway," "KPMG," and "VistaJet," among others.

Damian Lillard - $40.5M

Nicknamed "Dame Time," Damian Lillard made it to the "NBA" through "Weber State University." He was drafted by the "Portland Trail Blazers" in 2012. It is the team he has represented throughout his career so far. His current contract has him safe until 2025, earning him a cool $40 million in salaries every year.

Lillard partnered with "Adidas" to introduce his shoe collection, which became one of their top NBA sellers. He may already have a net worth of $70 million, but that doesn't mean he's limited the avenues of income he has. For instance, Lillard is also a rapper with three studio albums, adding his 2021 income to $40.5 million.

Kylian Mbappé - $40M

Getting to be a part of the same team with legends like Lionel Messi and Neymar is a privilege in itself, but we cannot undermine the skills of Kylian Mbappé. After all, "Paris Saint-Germain" pays him $20 million in annual salaries and also offers other performance bonuses. It is obvious that the majority of his $40 million earnings in 2021 came from playing football.

Mbappé is on his way to becoming a legendary player because his accomplishments and scores are way beyond what Messi and Ronaldo had at his age. After all, his net worth is already $95 million.

Chris Paul - $40M

In the "NBA," Chris Paul is nicknamed "CP3," which is a combination of his initials and jersey number. He was drafted to the league by the "New Orleans Hornets" in 2005, after which he played for several teams, primarily for the "Los Angeles Clippers" and currently the "Phoenix Suns."

As per "Forbes," almost all of Paul's earnings for 2021 came in salaries. However, that doesn't mean he is without sponsorships. He appears in commercials for "State Farm" quite frequently and holds equity stakes in "Beyond Meat" and "WTRMLN WTR." The 11-time All-Star pick has a net worth of $160 million.

DeAndre Hopkins - $39M

After playing college football at "Clemson University," DeAndre Hopkins became an "NFL" wide receiver after being drafted by the "Houston Texans" in 2013. He played for them for seven seasons before being traded off to the "Arizona Cardinals." A five-time Pro-Bowler, Hopkins banked $39 million in total earnings in 2021.

As it appears, Hopkins knows his value and wouldn't settle for less because he negotiated a two-year contract extension with the worth $54.5 million in 2020, which is a record-high number for wide receivers. Among the many brands he represents are "SEQL," "Beyond Meat," "BioSteel," and "Oars & Alps."

Leonard Williams - $39M

Leonard Williams looks pretty mature for his age with a six-foot-five 302-pound build. However, it's the same stature that allowed him to become a star athlete and enter the "NFL" to make $39 million in one year. Williams currently plays for the "New York Giants" although, he was drafted by the "New York Jets" in 2015.

With a growing total of 323 tackles, he is one of the most skilled defensive ends in the league. Why else would the Giants pay him $63 million for three years with $45 million guaranteed?

Jimmy Butler - $38.5M

As the 35th highest-paid athlete in the world, Jimmy Butler took home $38.5 million in the year between 2020 and 2021. Currently playing for the "Miami Heat" of the "NBA," he is a five-time All-Star pick and a four-time All-NBA Team honoree.

Butler's present contract with Miami is worth $142 million for four years, and since his net income for 2021 was $38.5 million, it is clear that he makes money from endorsements as well. He was formally sponsored by "Nike Jordan Brand," with whom he voluntarily ended the deal early to sign with "Li-Ning," a Chinese sportswear company, in 2020.

Marlon Humphrey - $37.5M

Marlon Humphrey was born and raised in Hoover, Alabama, which is where he learned his ABCs in school as well as the basics in the football court. Both of them appeared to have paid off when he received nine scholarships from Power Five schools. He ultimately chose the "University of Alabama."

Humphrey has continued to play for the "Baltimore Ravens" since being drafted by them to the "NFL" in 2017. His career highlights so far include two Pro-Bowl picks and a first-team All-Pro honor. Having risen to fame with so much success in such a short time, Humphrey now takes home approximately $37.5 million in a year.

Mohamed Salah - $37.5M

The current captain of the Egyptian national team, Mohamed Salah, is one of the best football players in the world. He plays for "Liverpool Football Club" in the "English Premier League" and has also represented Egypt in the "Olympic Games."

In the field, Salah has already been identified for his remarkable talents, and therefore, Liverpool gets their money's worth by paying him an annual average salary of £10.4 million (equivalent to $14.2 million). Well, he earned a lot more than that in 2021—$37.5 million, to be precise. His endorsement deals reportedly generate about $13 million every year.

Paul George - $37M

A seven-time "NBA" All-Star pick, Paul George has been playing for the "Los Angeles Clippers" since 2019. He was primarily with the "Indiana Pacers" but is now earning a lot more with the Clippers. In 2020, he agreed to a four-year contract worth $190 million, which makes his average annual salary $47.5 million.

However, we're guessing it's not all guaranteed money because George's income for 2021 was only $37 million. He partnered with "Nike" and launched his signature shoe and also keeps fans updated about his personal life on social media platforms like Instagram. George even has a YouTube channel with 106K subscribers.

Chris Jones - $37M

Chris Jones's net worth may only be $3 million, but given that he is on the world's highest-paid athletes list, having banked $37 million in 2021, we're sure his fortune will multiply in the upcoming years. The defensive lineman started his "NFL" career with the "Kansas City Chiefs" in 2016 and hasn't switched teams yet.

Why would he want to leave when the Chiefs pay him good money? An $80 million contract for four years ensures about $20 million annually in salaries. Seeing as Jones made $37 million in 2021, there's no other conclusion other than he made a banging buck from endorsement deals with brands like "Adidas" and "McDonald's."

Anthony Davis - $36M

Anthony Davis, simply referred to by his initials "AD," is a professional basketball player signed with the "Los Angeles Lakers" of the "NBA." The eight-time All-Star played college basketball at the "University of Kentucky" before being drafted by the "New Orleans Pelicans."

Davis took off to a good start with the Lakers in 2019, having contributed to the team winning the "NBA Championship." In December of 2020, he agreed to a five-year contract with the Lakers, which could earn him $190 million during that time. With sponsorship deals with "Nike" and "Ruffles," among others, Davis banked an annual income of $36 million in 2021.

Aaron Donald - $36M

Since Aaron Donald was encouraged by his father to focus on his fitness and health from a young age, he managed to make it to the football team of Penn Hills High School. It paved the way for multiple college scholarships, from which Donald chose the "University of Pittsburgh," where he played college football and subsequently made it to the "NFL."

As it appears, all of his father's words of encouragement ad Donald's hard work paid off as he made $36 million in the last year alone. He is currently halfway through his six-year contract with the "Los Angeles Rams."

Matt Judon - $36M

Matthew Judon is an outside linebacker for the "New England Patriots." He is still new on the said team, as it was in March of 2021 that he joined them on a four-year contract worth $56 million. For five seasons before that, he was part of the "Baltimore Ravens."

Even though Judon is close to the end of "Forbes"'s list, he is still among the 50 highest-paid athletes in the world. The two-time Pro-Bowl honoree's earnings for 2021 summed up to $36 million, which is plenty for a comfortable life, especially for someone still in their late 20s.

Paul Pogba - $35.5M

Born in Paris, France, to Guinean parents, Paul Pogba was keen on football since he was six years old. His early start facilitated him to grow up and enter the big leagues ("Premier League"). Starting off with "Manchester United," Pogba later played for "Juventus" between 2012 and 2016 before making a return to Manchester.

Pogba has also been a member of the French national team since 2008, which was when he started playing for the Under 16 team. While Manchester pays him well over $20 million per annum, Pogba's total earnings for the last year came up to $35.5 million, which probably includes a paycheck from "Amazon Studios" for his documentary.

Deshaun Watson - $35.5M

Deshaun Watson went from playing football for "Gainesville High School" to "Clemson University" to "Houston Texans" of the "NFL." Since going professional in 2017, he has set several records in the league while also earning three Pro-Bowl honors. In 2021, Watson has had to deal with several lawsuits, and yet, he managed to bank $35.5 million.

We imagine it would have been a whole lot more if it wasn't for the legal problems because they consequently cost him several endorsement deals, including those with "Nike," "Beats," "H-E-B," and "Reliant Energy."

Shaquil Barrett - $35M

In 2021, the "Tampa Bay Buccaneers" offered Shaquil Barrett a contract extension of four years, which can bring him up to $72 million. As you can imagine, he gladly signed it because it would add approximately $18 million to his bank account each year. His earnings were, however, higher, having been $35 million in 2021.

Barrett was drafted to the "NFL" by the "Denver Broncos" with whom he played for four seasons. As of 2021, he has been a part of a "Super Bowl" champion team twice. In fact, his contributions to the Buccaneers' win in 2020 were immense for their win.

J.J. Watt - $34.5M

Boasting a net worth of $50 million, J. J. Watt is an American professional footballer considered to be one of the greatest defensive ends in history. Well, the three "NFL" Defensive Player of the Year Awards secured in 2012, 2014, and 2015 will support that statement.

The "University of Wisconsin" alumnus was drafted to the "NFL" by the "Houston Texans" in 2011. He remained with the team until 2020, and in 2021, went into contract with the "Arizona Cardinals" for two years. Seeing as he could earn up to $31 million in those two years, we'd say it's a smart move. Watt's earnings for 2021 netted at $34.5 million.

Canelo Álvarez - $34M

Canelo Álvarez has won several world boxing championships in four different weight classes. He has been into boxing since he was a teenager, and all those years of hard work have certainly paid off as he is now worth $140 million.

We're sure his fortune will continue to grow because Álvarez earned $34 million in the year ending June 2021. Álvarez seems to be a smart guy as he is multiplying his wealth by investing in real estate, which brings in about $20 million every year, as per his revelations to Graham Bensinger.

Andres Iniesta - $34M

The Spanish professional footballer Andrés Iniesta plays and captains "Vissel Kobe," which is a team in the Japanese Professional Football League." However, he was most popular during his time in "Barcelone Football Club," where he even served as captain for three seasons.

We're not surprised that Iniesta made it to this list, considering he is on a two-year contract worth $30 million, has his own sports attire brand "Mikakus," and a winery named "Bodega Iniesta." Furthermore, he now endorses "Asics" after previously representing "Nike" for 19 years. Having multiple sources of income will only keep adding to Iniesta's already massive net worth of $120 million.

Robert Lewandowski - $34M

Last but certainly not least is Robert Lewandowski, a Polish professional football player who currently serves as the captain of the country's national team. He plays the position of a striker for "Bayern Munich," which is a Bundesliga club. As per "Forbes," the club pays him about $20 million every year, which is only part of the $34 million he made in 2021.

In case you're wondering where the rest of his earnings came from, Lewandowski is a "TikTok" personality with four million followers and also manages "Foods by Ann" with his wife. The latter is a business that sells his signature blend "RL9 Coffee" and other healthy snacks and drinks.

Stephen Curry - $74.5M

The name Stephen Curry is very popular in professional basketball. Perhaps it's because he is a seven-time "NBA" All-Star pick who has won three championships and secured the MVP award twice. Also, his shooting skills are unmatched, which is probably why the "Golden State Warriors" renewed his contract for a further five years in 2017.

Curry's company, "SC30," takes care of his investments, partnerships, and endorsements, and not to forget, charitable activities. It's safe to say that "SC30" is doing a good job because his wealth has now increased to $160 million. Of course, his contributions are immense, seeing as he makes about $74.5 million in a year.

Anna Kournikova - $80M

Anna Kournikova was never the best singles player, reaching an unenviable eighth place in the world rankings. Where she did manage to shine was in doubles, with Martina Hingis as her partner, where she won the Australian Open twice. But off the court she managed to be a cultural phenomenon that allowed her to retire from competition at the age of 21 with a net worth that is among the records. As a tennis player she has accumulated 3.5 million dollars, but to that must be added everything he generated thanks to his image and sponsorships. Her net worth nears 50 million dollars and to that number we have to add the fortune of his husband, the renowned Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias, with whom he formed a family and with whom they have 3 children.