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Forbes Lists of the World's Best Paid Athletes

Forbes publishes a large range of lists each year, including one for athletes. The list of the highest-paid athletes in the world is calculated based on earnings derived from salaries, bonuses, prize money, endorsements and licensing income between June one year until June the following year, and does not deduct for taxes or agents' fees. See also a similar list published by Sports Illustrated (2004-2014), and Sportico (2021+).



List of Lists

Here are all of the annual lists of the world's highest-paid athletes since the first list published by Forbes in 1990. In 2002, they changed the reporting period from the full calendar year to June-to-June, and consequently there is no list for 2001.

1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

Tiger Woods was the top paid athlete from 2002-2011Tiger Woods was the top paid athlete from 2002-2011

Top Paid Athlete for Each Year

Here are the top earners in the world of sports for each year that Forbes magazine has made such a list. What is evident is that being named Michael or Tiger is good for making money in sports. For the complete list of top-10 athletes from each year, click on the year number. There is also a list of the top paid women for each year.

Year Name Sport earnings (USD$ million)
2023 Cristiano Ronaldo Football (Soccer) 136
2022 Lionel Messi Soccer 130
2021 Conor McGregor MMA 180
2020 Roger Federer Tennis 106.3
2019 Lionel Messi Soccer 127
2018 Floyd Mayweather Boxing 285
2017 Cristiano Ronaldo Football (Soccer) 93
2016 Cristiano Ronaldo Football (Soccer) 88
2015 Floyd Mayweather Boxing 300
2014 Floyd Mayweather Boxing 105
2013 Tiger Woods Golf 78.1
2012 Floyd Mayweather Boxing 85
2011 Tiger Woods Golf 75
2010 Tiger Woods Golf 105
2009 Tiger Woods Golf 110
2008 Tiger Woods Golf 115
2007 Tiger Woods Golf 100
2006 Tiger Woods Golf 90
2005 Tiger Woods Golf 87
2004 Tiger Woods Golf 80.3
2003 Tiger Woods Golf 78
2002 Tiger Woods Golf 69
2000 Michael Schumacher Auto Racing 59
1999 Michael Schumacher Auto Racing 49
1998 Michael Jordan Basketball 69
1997 Michael Jordan Basketball 78.3
1996 Mike Tyson Boxing 75
1995 Michael Jordan Basketball 43.9
1994 Michael Jordan Basketball 30.01
1993 Michael Jordan Basketball 36.0
1992 Michael Jordan Basketball 35.9
1991 Evander Holyfield Boxing 60.5
1990 Mike Tyson Boxing 28.6

Other Forbes Earning Lists

Interesting Facts



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Lists Extra

Football/Soccer is clearly the world's most popular sport, and has the most popular athletes, but which sport has the fittest players (but not necessarily the greatest athlete). These players do not always earn the most. The best of the best have made it to our 7 Sporting Wonders Lists.

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