Top 30 athletes business rich list as Federer pockets eye-watering amount

07 May 2023 , 07:00

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Roger Federer is earning big money even after his retirement (Image: (Photo by Christopher Polk/WWD via Getty Images))

Roger Federer has been revealed to be the highest earning athlete in the world in terms of business and commercial ventures, with the retired tennis star beating the likes of LeBron James and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Swiss legend retired from tennis in 2022 but retains the biggest commercial earnings in sport, with a staggering $90.7million (£72m) coming into his pocket each year, with $90.0million (£71m) being from his off-field ventures. This beats the likes of LeBron James ($80.0m/£64m) and Tiger Woods ($68.0m/£54m), who both complete the top three for commercial earnings in 2022.

The figures come from a study courtesy of OLBG, who have compiled a list of the world's top earning sports stars, with their off-field earnings taken into account for their ranking. Further down the list, big names such as Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Tom Brady all in the top ten.

Federer enjoyed a stellar playing career on court, with 20 major men's singles titles to his name, but is now a smart operator away from the sport. He has build partnerships with a host of brands, which include Mercedes-Benz, Credit Suisse, Rolex, Lindt, Wilson Uniqlo, Gillette, Barilla, NetJets, Rimova and Moët & Chandon.

The 41-year-old signed a ten-year deal with Japanese brand Uniqlo in 2018, dropping Nike to take a deal which would pay him £220million over the course of the deal up until the age of 47. Another ageing star who earned big in 2022 was Tiger Woods who, while not retired still earns big money through his commercial partnership with Nike.

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Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are both in joint fifth ($55.0m/£44m), with both being in the latter stages of their careers at the top level. Meanwhile, the only women in the list are world number 314 ranked tennis player, Naomi Osaka, who takes fourth spot with earnings of $58.0million (£46m), and Serena Williams in tenth ($45.0m/£36m).

Naomi Osaka is one of the world's most commercially successful athletes ((Photo by Araya Doheny/Getty Images))

There are also places in the list for the likes of Conor McGregor, who owns Proper Ten whiskey, and Rory McIlroy, who is ahead of the likes of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Mohamed Salah to show the benefits of competing in an individual sport on commercial income.

Here is the list in full with commercial earnings:

1. Roger Federer - Tennis - $90.0m
2. LeBron James - Basketball - $80.0m
3. Tiger Woods - Golf - $68.0m
4. Naomi Osaka - Tennis - $58.0m
5. Cristiano Ronaldo Football - $55.0m
6. Lionel Messi - Football - $55.0m
7. Tom Brady - American Football - $52.0m
8. Kevin Durant - Basketball - $50.0m
9. Stephen Curry - Basketball - $47.0m
10. Serena Williams - Tennis - $45.0m
11. Phil Mickelson- Golf - $42.0m
12. Giannis Antetokounmpo - Basketball - $41.0m
13. Russell Westbrook - Basketball - $35.0m
14. Rory McIlroy - Golf - $34.0m
15. James Harden - Basketball - $30.0m
16. Neymar - Football - $25.0m
17. Patrick Mahomes - American Football - $20.0m
18. Damian Lillard - Basketball - $18.0m
19. Mohamed Salah - Football - $18.0m
20. Klay Thompson - Basketball - $17.0m
21. Kylian Mbappé - Football - $15.0m
22. Mike Trout - Baseball - $14.0m
23. Russell Wilson - American Football - $14.0m
24. Jimmy Butler - Basketball - $12.0m
25. Dak Prescott - Football - $12.0m
26. Aaron Rodgers - American Football - $11.0m
27. Anthony Davis - Basketball - $10.0m
28. Conor McGregor - Mixed Martial Arts - $10.0m
29. Paul George - Basketball - $8.5m
30. Lewis Hamilton - Motor Racing - $8.0m
31. Devin Booker - Basketball - $8.0m
32. Joel Embiid - Basketball - $8.0m
33. Chris Paul - Basketball - $8.0m
34. Jake Paul - Boxing - $8.0m

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