Athletes With the Most Endorsement Money

For many pro athletes, earning power extends well beyond the games they play into some serious endorsement deals.

It’s time to give baseball legends Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth and Cy Young what they deserve. One century after they became the first pro athletes to promote various tobacco products, endorsements are what separate the women from the girls and the men from the boys in the money standings.

In this age of social media, a few high-profile players actually earn more from sponsorship deals than the games they play. These athletes reaped the most endorsement money in 2020.

How well do you know athletes? Test your knowledge with this highest-paid athletes quiz from Huge Quiz.

30. Anthony Joshua

Britain's Anthony Joshua fights against Erislandy Savon Cotilla

Patrick Semansky / AP Photo

Sport: Boxing

Total earnings: $47 million

Endorsement earnings: $11 million

Top brand/company endorsements: Audemars Piguet, Beats Electronics, DAZN, Electronic Arts, Hugo Boss, Jaguar, Under Armour, William Hill

Note: Figures are from Forbes and include prize money, salaries and bonuses earned between June 1, 2019, and June 1, 2020. Those who were paid for seasons beyond that date were credited with full salaries. In the case of shortened seasons, salaries were reduced based on an estimate of cuts.

Bottom Line: Anthony Joshua

Patrick Semansky / AP Photo

At last check, this two-time unified heavyweight champion claims more than a dozen corporate partners. It seems that people are drawn to his rags-to-riches story, more than 17 million of them on social media alone.

Close to one-quarter of his income came via endorsements deals.

27. Mohamed Salah (Tie)

Frank Augstein / AP Photo

Sport: Soccer

Total earnings: $35.1 million

Endorsement earnings: $12 million

Top brand/company endorsements: Adidas, DHL International, Electronic Arts, ExxonMobil, Vodafone-USD

Bottom Line: Mohamed Salah

Jon Super / AP Photo

The Egyptian King has parlayed his immense popularity into a gaggle of sponsorships, most notably a multi-year, $56.7 million deal with Adidas that accounted for more than one-third of his annual income.

At 28, he’s already making plans for his next career. He started two real estate firms and one investment company in the first quarter of 2021.

27. Tom Brady (Tie)

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady throws during second half

David Duprey / AP Photo

Sport: Football

Total earnings: $45 million

Endorsement earnings: $12 million

Top brand/company endorsements: IWC Schaffhausen, Under Armour, Wheels Up

Bottom Line: Tom Brady

Tom Brady celebrates after defeating Kansas City Chiefs

Ashley Landis / AP Photo

One would think that the GOMT (Greatest of Modern Times) would be higher on the list, but the New England Patriots quarterback strays from his TB12 brand about as often as he does the pocket.

Still, at 43 and one more guaranteed year on his contract, the old man does pretty well for himself.

27. Lewis Hamilton (Tie)

Darron Cummings / AP Photo

Sport: Auto racing

Total earnings: $54 million

Endorsement earnings: $12 million

Top brand/company endorsements: Bose, L‘Oréal, Mercedes-Benz, Monster Energy, Police, Puma, Sony, Tommy Hilfiger, Vodafone-USD

Bottom Line: Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton celebrates after winning United States Grand Prix

Oliver Multhaup / AP Photo

He’s 36 years young. He’s cooler than a weeping willow. He wins a lot. Why, he even wears Tommy Hilfiger underwear. Is it any wonder that he’s the most marketable personality in the sport?

In 2020, he added telecom Vodafone to his growing list of endorsements, which account for more than 20 percent of his bottom line.

26. Kylian Mbappe

Christophe Ena / AP Photo

Sport: Soccer

Total earnings: $33.8 million

Endorsement earnings: $13 million

Top brand/company endorsements: Electronic Arts, Hublot, Nike

Bottom Line: Kylian Mbappe

Monaco's Kylian Mbappe Lottin celebrates

Lionel Cironneau / AP Photo

Sponsorships comprised nearly 40 percent of his income — and the Frenchman has barely scratched the bottom line. The Paris Saint-Germain phenom is only 22 and his contract expires after the 2021-22 season.

It doesn’t take a Hublot watch to know even better days are ahead of him.

25. Klay Thompson

Klay Thompson takes 3-point shot over Portland Trail Blazers

Tony Avelar / AP Photo

Sport: Basketball

Total earnings: $38.8 million

Career endorsement earnings: $14 million

Top brand/company endorsements: Activision Blizzard, Anta Sports Products, Fanatics, Kaiser Permanente, Tissot

Bottom Line: Klay Thompson

Golden State Warriors' Klay Thompson reacts

Jeff Chiu / AP Photo

This Golden Warriors dead-eye once scored 60 points on 11 dribbles in one game. He outdid himself in the 2020-21 season, though, when he made a reported $38.8 million on zero dribbles while he rehabbed his left knee.

A slew of sponsorship deals made the layoff much easier.

24. Damian Lillard

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard drives to basket

Kelvin Kuo / AP Photo

Sport: Basketball

Total earnings: $37 million

Endorsement earnings: $14.5 million

Top brand/company endorsements: Adidas, Hulu, Panini

Bottom Line: Damian Lillard

Damian Lillard of Portland Trail Blazers poses

Steve Dykes / AP Photo

This Portland Trail Blazers guard proves that it can pay to be a large fish in smaller ponds. His five-year, $139.9 million contract is on the short list of NBA players, while his long-term Adidas deal ranks among the most lucrative ever.

The Dame 6 model ($110) made its debut in the 2019-20 season.

23. Conor McGregor

Connor McGregor kicks Dustin Poirier at UFC

John Locher / AP Photo

Sport: Mixed martial arts

Total earnings: $48 million

Endorsement earnings: $16 million

Top brand/company endorsements: 2K Sports, AT&T, Beats Electronics, Coca-Cola, GMC, Kia Motors, Nike, RIMOWA, Walmart

Bottom Line: Conor McGregor

Conor McGregor reacts after defeating Jose Aldo

John Locher / AP Photo

The man known as “Notorious” has had all of three bouts since late 2016, but he doesn’t have to break much of a sweat these days.

He still raked in $48 million, in no small part because of a long list of sponsorship partners.

22. Kyrie Irving

Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving scores against Boston Celtics

Elise Amendola / AP Photo

Sport: Basketball

Total earnings: $41.9 million

Endorsement earnings: $18 million

Top brand/company endorsements: 2K Sports, Nike, Panini, Pepsi

Bottom Line: Kyrie Irving

Frank Franklin II / AP Photo

This Brooklyn Nets guard boasts the most popular Nike shoe among NBA players.

When he isn’t involved with his other business endeavors, the Duke product receives an average of $35.25 million to play basketball each season.

21. James Harden

Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden drives to basket

Adam Hunger / AP Photo

Sport: Basketball

Total earnings: $47.8 million

Endorsement earnings: $19 million

Top brand/company endorsements: Adidas, Beats Electronics, BodyArmor, Stance Socks, State Farm Mutual Auto Insurance

Bottom Line: James Harden

Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden reacts against Boston Celtics

Adam Hunger / AP Photo

This bearded face of Adidas will be paid upward of $200 as part of a 13-year agreement with the sportswear company.

Overall, approximately 40 percent of his income is derived from off-the-court business.

20. Zion Williamson

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson dunks past Phoenix Suns

Derick Hingle / AP Photo

Sport: Basketball

Total earnings: $27.3 million

Endorsement earnings: $20 million

Top brand/company endorsements: 2K Sports, Fanatics, Gatorade, Mountain Dew, Nike, Panini

Bottom Line: Zion Williamson

New Orleans Pelicans' Zion Williamson in action

Frank Franklin II / AP Photo

At 20, Williamson is the most marketable NBA player since LeBron James could retire today and live comfortably for the rest of his life. Nike pays him $1 million annually to promote the Jordan Brand alone, and that’s only a fraction of his endorsement income.

That’s not bad for a kid who has played less than 100 games professionally and never in the playoffs.

19. Virat Kohli

Rafiq Maqbool / AP Photo

Sport: Cricket

Total earnings: $26.6 million

Endorsement earnings: $24 million

Top brand/company endorsements: Audi, Colgate-Palmolive, Flipkart, Google, Hero MotoCorp, Puma, Uber, Valvoline

Bottom Line: Virat Kohli

Aijaz Rahi / AP Photo

We can debate whether cricket is a niche sport worldwide, but there is no argument that this Indian national team captain is the most popular figure in its history.

All except $2.6 million of his earnings came via endorsement contracts.

18. Neymar

Silvia Izquierdo / AP Photo

Sport: Soccer

Total earnings: $95.5 million

Endorsement earnings: $25 million

Top brand/company endorsements: Beats Electronics, DAZN, Electronic Arts, Gillette, Mastercard, Nike Red Bull, TCL

Bottom Line: Neymar

Brazil's Neymar celebrates after scoring penalty goal

Daniel Apuy / AP Photo

His brand took a hit in 2020, when the Brazilian megastar and Nike parted ways late in the year.

There’s talk that rival Puma will ante up, but it may be hard-pressed to match the reported 11-year, $105 million deal that had one year left.

16. Jordan Spieth (Tie)

Ray Carlin / AP Photo

Sport: Golf

Total earnings: $27.6 million

Endorsement earnings: $26 million

Top brand/company endorsements: AT&T, NetJets, Rolex, Titleist, Under Armour

Bottom Line: Jordan Spieth

Matt York / AP Photo

Even though his World Golf Ranking has fallen into the drink since 2017 British Open victory, he remains one of the most marketable players on the tour.

His endorsement income dwarfs the $1.6 million that he earned in actual competition.

16. Rafael Nadal (Tie)

Spain's Rafael Nadal hits forehand return

Andy Brownbill / AP Photo

Sport: Tennis

Total earnings: $40 million

Endorsement earnings: $26 million

Top brand/company endorsements: Babolat, KIA Motors, Nike, Richard Mille, Santandar, Telefonica

Bottom Line: Rafael Nadal

Spain's Rafael Nadal clenches fist as he plays Serbia's Novak Djokovic

Michel Euler / AP Photo

As dominant as the Spaniard has been on the clay court, where he’s widely recognized as the GOAT, he’s even more successful off it.Nearly two-thirds of his $40 million earnings come from endorsement deals.

Popular? He often fetches more than $1 million for a public appearance.

15. Russell Westbrook

Washington Wizards' Russell Westbrook follows through on shot

Frank Franklin II / AP Photo

Sport: Basketball

Total earnings: $56 million

Endorsement earnings: $27 million

Top brand/company endorsements: Nike, True Religion Apparel

Bottom Line: Russell Westbrook

Russell Washington Wizards guard Russell Westbrook reacts

\ Alex Brandon / AP Photo

Endorsements were responsible for nearly half of Westbrook’s income. In 2017, he agreed to a 10-year extension of his Jordan Brand agreement. One year later, he received his first signature shoe.

The SoCal product also owns five car dealerships in the Los Angeles area for good measure.

14. Giannis Antetokounmpo

Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo scores

John Bazemore / AP Photo

Sport: Basketball

Total earnings: $47.6 million

Endorsement earnings: $28 million

Top brand/company endorsements: 2K Sports, Hulu, Nike

Bottom Line: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo dunks

Nick Wass / AP Photo

The Greek Freak does endorsements like few others in his sport — they accounted for nearly 60 percent of his annual income. In 2019, he struck it rich(er) with the release of the Zoom Freak 1 sneaker, the largest initial signature launch in Nike hoops history.

Soon to come: a Disney movie about his life story.

13. Rory McIlroy

Jae C. Hong / AP Photo

Sport: Golf

Total earnings: $52 million

Endorsement earnings: $30 million

Top brand/company endorsements: Nike, Omega, TaylorMade, UnitedHealth Group, Upper Deck

Bottom Line: Rory McIlroy

Gregory Bull / AP Photo

This Irish superstar reclaimed his No. 1 status in the World Golf Rankings in 2020, when he earned $22 million on the tour. The success had a ripple effect off the course, where only Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson earned more money in the game.

The momentum carried into 2021, when Nike unveiled the Air Zoom Victory 2 shoe that he helped design himself.

12. Kei Nishikori

Michel Euler / AP Photo

Sport: Tennis

Total earnings: $32.1 million

Endorsement earnings: $31 million

Top brand/company endorsements: Asahi Group Holdings, Jaccs, Jaguar, Japan Airlines, Nike, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone, Nissin Foods, Uber, Uniqlo

Bottom Line: Kei Nishikori

Ben Curtis / AP Photo

Few athletes were hurt more in the pocket by the cancellation of the 2020 Olympic Games. A half-dozen of his corporate besties were official Olympics sponsors.

Hold the telethon, though. The 31-year-old Japanese star made ends meet just the same.

10. Serena Williams (Tie)

Hamish Blair / AP Photo

Sport: Tennis

Total earnings: $36 million

Endorsement earnings: $32 million

Top brand/company endorsements: Audemars Piguet, Beats Electronics, Bumble, Gatorade, JPMorgan Chase, Nike, Upper Deck, Wilson Sporting Goods

Bottom Line: Serena Williams

United States Serena Williams celebrates

Chris Symes / AP Photo

The No. 1 female money-winner in tennis history covers even more ground off the court than on it. Would you believe that she earns eight times more in endorsements than athletic competition? Her diverse business interests include everything from a signature clothing line to a flock of start-up companies to a piece of the NFL Miami Dolphins franchise.

10. Novak Djokovic (Tie)

Serbia's Novak Djokovic slams a forehand

Michel Euler / AP Photo

Sport: Tennis

Total earnings: $44.6 million

Endorsement earnings: $32 million

Top brand/company endorsements: Asics, Head, Lacoste, NetJets, Peugeot, Seiko Watch Corp., Ultimate Software Group

Bottom Line: Novak Djokovic

Michel Euler / AP Photo

While the No. 1 money-winner ($144 million) in tennis history doesn’t need supplemental income, his many lucrative endorsements elevate him to otherworldly status. His Lacoste agreement is worth eight figures annually.

In 2020, Djoker added Peugeot to his list of conquests.

9. Lionel Messi

Barcelona's Lionel Messi controls the ball

Joan Monfort / AP Photo

Sport: Soccer

Total earnings: $104 million

Endorsement earnings: $34 million

Top brand/company endorsements: Adidas, Huawei, Dolce & Gabbana, Jacob & Co

Bottom Line: Lionel Messi

Juan Mabromata / AP Photo

The Messis could live very comfortably in their mansion in suburban Castelldefels, Barcelona, on Lionel’s lifetime Adidas contract alone. As much as the global legend made off the endorsements, his day job fetched twice as much.

At 33, count on him to be on the patch for a while longer, whether it be with FC Barcelona or elsewhere.

8. Kevin Durant

Corey Sipkin / AP Photo

Sport: Basketball

Total earnings: $63.9 million

Endorsement earnings: $35 million

Top brand/company endorsements: Degree, Master & Dynamic, Nike, YouTube

Bottom Line: Kevin Durant

Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant celebrates

Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP Photo

The Brooklyn Nets part-timer played only 35 games in the last two regular seasons. So, who needs basketball when you have a YouTube channel with 800,000 subscribers that carries branded content for sponsors?

His media empire features Apple, ESPN Fox and Showtime, to name a few.

7. Phil Mickelson

Phil Mickelson watches ball from eighth tee

David J. Phillip / AP Photo

Sport: Golf

Total earnings: $40.8 million

Endorsement earnings: $40 million

Top brand/company endorsements: Amgen, Callaway Golf, Heineken N.V., Intrepid Financial Partners, KPMG, Rolex

Bottom Line: Phil Mickelson

David J. Phillip / AP Photo

Who says there’s no prize for second place? In 2020, the runner-up to Tiger Woods on the career money list was an enormous success everywhere except on the course.

Not only did Lefty add Amstel Light and Melin (headwear) to his small army of sponsors, but Mickelson National Golf Club made its debut in Calgary, just north of the border.

6. Stephen Curry

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry shoots

Gerald Herbert / AP Photo

Sport: Basketball

Total earnings: $74.4 million

Endorsement earnings: $44 million

Top brand/company endorsements: Callaway Golf, Chase, Fanatics, Under Armour

Bottom Line: Stephen Curry

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry yells

Jed Jacobsohn / AP Photo

The Golden State Warriors top gun has been on the fast track ever since the 2014-15 regular season, when he led them to a league record 72 victories. Six years later, nearly 60 percent of his $74.4 million income comes off sponsorship deals.

In 2020, he partnered with Oxigen beverage company, which produces premium water that does wonders for muscle recovery, so it claims.

5. Naomi Osaka

Japan's Naomi Osaka makes a forehand return

Andrew Brownbill / AP Photo

Sport: Tennis

Total earnings: $55.2 million

Endorsement earnings: $50 million

Top brand/company endorsements: All Nippon Airways, Bodyarmor SuperDrink, Mastercard, Nike, Nissan Motor Co., Nissin Foods Holdings, Procter & Gamble, Shiseido, Yonex

Bottom Line: Naomi Osaka

Japan's Naomi Osaka holds Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup

Hamish Blair / AP Photo

To understand the power of the endorsement deal, look no further than the highest-paid female athlete in the world.

The 23-year-old Japanese sensation parlayed a pair of Grand Slam victories into several lucrative sponsorships that consumed more than 90 percent of the bottom line.

2. Tiger Woods (Tie)

Phelan M. Ebenhack / AP Photo

Sport: Golf

Total earnings: $62.3 million

Endorsement earnings: $60 million

Top brand/company endorsements: Bridgestone, Discovery, Hero MotoCorp, Monster Energy, Nike, Rolex, TaylorMade, Upper Deck

Bottom Line: Tiger Woods

Stew Milne / AP Photo

His 2020 was literally a car wreck. Yet even in a season that saw him earn only $2.3 million on the links, his many other business ventures kept him on the straight and narrow.

The all-time PGA money-winner has earned roughly $1.5 billion in career endorsements, public appearances and course design fees.

2. LeBron James (Tie)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James goes to basket

Rick Bowmer / AP Photo

Sport: Basketball

Total earnings: $88.2 million

Endorsement earnings: $60 million

Top brand/company endorsements: 2K Sports, AT&T, Beats Electronics, Coca-Cola, GMC, Kia Motors, Nike, RIMOWA, Walmart

Bottom Line: LeBron James

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James celebrates

Mark J. Terrill / AP Photo

The primary reason that Bron-Bron took his talents from Cleveland to LaLa Land was to further his brand. Call it a done deal.

His endorsements more than doubled the $28.2 million that the Lakers pay him, in no small part because of lucrative production (SpringHill Entertainment) and media (Uninterrupted) companies. Can Beijing be next?

2. Cristiano Renaldo (Tie)

Andres Kudacki / AP Photo

Sport: Soccer

Total earnings: $105 million

Endorsement earnings: $60 million

Top brand/company endorsements: Altice, DAZN, Herbalife, MTG, Nike, Unilever

Bottom Line: Cristiano Renaldo

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates goal

Ariel Schalit / AP Photo

This Portuguese megastar took a pay cut to join Juventus after the 2018 season. Maybe he should play it. Nearly 60 percent of his annual earnings comes away from the patch.

The guy is wildly popular on social media, where he claims 200 million followers, more than any pro athlete in the world.

1. Roger Federer

Switzerland's Roger Federer makes backhand return

Andy Wong / AP Photo

Sport: Tennis

Total earnings: $106.3 million

Endorsement earnings: $100 million

Top brand/company endorsements: Barilla, Credit Suisse Group (ADS), Mercedes-Benz, Rolex, Uniqlo, Wilson Sporting Goods

Bottom Line: Roger Federer

Switzerland's Roger Federer holds trophy

Aaron Favila / AP Photo

At the ripe age of 39, this golden oldie finally reached the mountaintop in 2020, when he was the top money winner in pro sports for the first time in his career.

A monstrous 10-year, $300 million deal with Japanese apparel retailer Uniqlo triggered the avalanche two years earlier, only months after he briefly became the oldest person to be ranked No. 1 in the world.