Top 10 Forbes’ 2014 List of World’s Highest-Paid Athletes

Forbes released its list of top 100 world's highest-paid athletes on June 11. The athletes from different sports and countries were ranked based on their respective salaries, prize winnings, and endorsement deals. Who are top 10 athletes that had amassed millions of dollars in net revenue in 2014?

1 - Floyd Mayweather

Mayweather, who raked a total of $105 million in 2013, topped the list. The undefeated boxer is not a newbie in the list. He capped the same list back in 2012, ending Tiger Woods' decade-long reign. Mayweather is reportedly the first athlete to gross at least $100 million in the yearly tally of highest-paid athletes. Speaking about the accomplishment, Mayweather said that he felt "humbled and extremely fortunate" to be acknowledged as the highest-paid athlete. "I'm doing something no other athlete is doing, promoting myself and seeing my hard work pay off in the form of record-breaking numbers," said Mayweather in an ESPN report. "It's all about hard work and dedication which is so important and a key part of my financial success," Mayweather added.

2 - Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid superstar Ronaldo sits comfortably in second place with $80 million. The 29-year-old footballer who also captains the Portugal national team reportedly earned $52 million from his salary and prize winnings and $28 million from his endorsement deals which include contracts with Nike and Tagheuer.

3 - Lebron James

At the third sport is Miami Heat star player Lebron James with total earnings amounting to $72.3 million. James is the highest-earning player in the National Basketball Association (NBA) in terms of endorsement deals. He endorses Nike, McDonalds, and Coca-Cola among many others. James' Nike shoes topped the U.S.' sales with revenue of $300 million in 2013. James' jersey was considered a best-seller too.

4 - Leo Messi

Messi is at the fourth spot with $64.7 million. Like Ronaldo and James, he also reaped instant money from advertisements with Adidas, Turkish Airlines, and popular messaging application We Chat.

5 - Kobe Bryant

Bryant's wealth is equivalent to $61.5 million, half of which came from his NBA salary while the other half came from his endorsement deals. In the February issue of Forbes magazine, it has been reported that Bryant's sponsorships are at an "all-time high." Some of Bryant's endorsements include Turkish Airlines, IBM Lenovo, Nike, Panini, and Hublot.

6 - Tiger Woods

Woods owned the top spot of Forbes' list of highest-paid athletes from 2001 to 2011 and in 2012. This year, 2014, the 38-year-old professional golfer dropped to sixth place with $61.2 million. The majority of Woods' earnings came from his endorsements amounting to $55 million. Woods' earnings significantly dropped when Electronic Arts decided to put a halt in its relationship with him.

7 - Roger Federer

Swiss fourth-ranked Federer earned a total of $56.2 million making him land at the seventh place. Federer's endorsement earnings sum up to $52 million. Federer endorsements include Nike, Credit Suisse, and Rolex.

8 - Phil Mickelson

Mickelson's collected earnings is $53.2 million. He is at the eighth place. Mickelson has won in 42 events on the Professional Golfer's Association (PGA) tour, which includes five championships, three Masters title, a PGA Championship, and British Open Championship. Mickelson has endorsements with Callaway, Barclay's, Exxon Mobil, and Rolex to name a few.

9 - Rafael Nadal

Spaniard and top-ranked tennis athlete is at the ninth place with $44.5 million. Nadal, who just claimed her ninth title in the recently concluded French Open, earned $30 million from his sponsors.

10 - Matt Ryan

National Football League (NFL) player Matt Ryan earned $43.8 million. Ryan is grossing $42 million from his salary in the NFL, and the remaining $1.8 million came from sponsors.

For the complete list, visit Forbes.com.