Forbes magazine released a list of 100 highest paid athletes. Virat Kohli is the only Indian on the list and he is ranked 89th
King Kohli as he is fondly called by his fans and who is looked upon to break Sachin Tendulkar”s records has earned around $22 million, which includes $3 million from salary and winnings, while the rest $19 million from endorsements.
Virat charges 5 Crores per day as Endorsement fee which makes him highest paid cricketer via endorsements. He current endorsements include Audi cars, MRF tyres, Tissot watches, Gionee phones, Boost milk drink, Colgate toothpaste and Vicks lozenges and others.
Crisriano Ronaldo, the 32 year old Real Madrid superstar held on to his rank 1 and is estimated to have earned $93 million in 2016 – of which $58 million came from his salary from Real Madrid, while remaining $35 million added to the total as endorsement income.
Ronaldo is associated with Nike for lifetime which is worth around $1 billion, alongside Tag Heuer, Herbalife and Abbott Labs, for whom he is a pitchman. Apart from these, Cristiano also has a range of CR7 products including CR7 underwears and hotels that supplement his earnings.
NBA star LeBron James, is estimated to have earned around $86.2 million, is highest among the other 32 basketball players on the list of 100. He went past Barcelona star Leo Messi, who dropped down the No.3 on the list, with an estimated earning of $80m ($53m as club salary and $27m as endorsements income). US Open Roger Federer and Golden State Warriors guard Kevin Durant followed in for the next two spots to complete the top-five slots.
American tennis star Serena Williams, is the only female athlete on the list with an estimated income of $27 million. She is placed at 51st overall.
– by Atharva Apte
