It was a slam dunk and and aces all the way for the celebrity sportspersons who were the highest paid male and female athletes 2022. Although LeBron James’ team Los Angeles Lakers are not at the top of the NBA, the basketball player is the highest paid sportsman due to a combination of earnings, endorsements and assets while the highest paid sportswoman is Naomi Osaka, the Japanese-American tennis player due to her earnings and endorsements.
Sportico recently released the list of the World’s Highest-Paid Athletes 2022. The 37-year old, 18-time All-Star had a total earnings of $127 million. King James’ earnings include his revenue on the court and off the court through his empire and endorsements. This is LeBron James highest ever earnings in more than twenty years on the basketball court.
Tennis star Naomi Osaka was the highest paid sportswoman. She earned $53.2 million. Although she had missed a few tennis matches that decreased her earnings through the game, she had many endorsements, which aced her earnings. The only other female athlete in the top 100 list was Serena Williams at 52. She earned $270,000 in tournaments and $35 million for endorsements.
Image-Wikipedia SecretarÃa de Deportes
Although many expected football players to top the list, they lost out due to non player revenues. However, they were close behind the basket ball player as Lionel Messi took the second position with $122 million while Cristiano Ronaldo was at the third with $115 million.
Two athletes who made it to the top 10 despite injuries through months were tennis legend Roger Federer who earned $85.7 million and golfing legend Tiger Woods who earned $73.5 million. Almost all the athletes who made it to the top 100 list were on the list due to endorsements though baseball players and boxers earned more due to salaries or tournament wins.
Image Federer Tatiana from Moscow, Russia
Image Keith Allison
