The highest-paid athletes of all time have been revealed by a new list, with basketball superstar-turned business mogul Michael Jordan unsurprisingly coming out on top.
The American was one of the world's best-paid sportsmen during his prime years with the Chicago Bulls, but its his ventures since retiring, including the creation of the Air Jordan brand, that has catapulted him into the billionaire class.
Further down the order, we see stars from an assortment of different sports, including football, tennis, golf and F1.
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The list, which is inflation adjusted, includes just two athletes who earned in excess $2 billion - the aforementioned Jordan, and Tiger Woods.
The golfing great is one of several men on Sportico's top 10 list who is still active, alongside PSG's Lionel Messi and Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo.
Woods isn't the only golfer featured inside the top five, however, as Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus are just below him on the list, having earned a reported $1.5 bn and 1.36 bn respectively.
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The top 10 list is as follows:
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1) Michael Jordan (2.62B)
2) Tiger Woods ($2.1B)
3) Arnold Palmer ($1.5B)
4) Jack Nicklaus (1.38B)
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5) Cristiano Ronaldo (1.24B)
6) Floyd Mayweather (1.2B)
7) LeBron James (1.17B)
8) Lionel Messi (1.14B)
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9) Michael Schumacher (1.13B)
10) Roger Federer (1.12B)
Boxing's only representative inside the top 10 is, predictably, Floyd 'Money' Mayweather, who earned $1.5 million from the combat sport, as well as his various other business pursuits.
The 44-year-old most recently fought in an exhibition bout against YouTube personality Logan Paul, earning a reported $65 million for that fight alone.
Ninth on the list is seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher, who retired from motorsport in 2012.
The ex-Ferrari driver is still thought to be in a coma after sustaining a traumatic head injury while skiing back in 2013.
Tennis superstar Roger Federer rounds out the top 10, although the 40-year-old still has plenty of opportunities to add to his fortune, as he remains active on the ATP world tour.
The eight-time Wimbledon champion has earned in excess of $130,000,000 in prize money since turning professional in 1998.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: David Beckham, Lionel Messi, Tiger Woods, lebron james, Michael Jordan, Cristiano Ronaldo, Floyd Mayweather
