Peyton Manning and Demaryius Thomas can add another line to their lengthy resumes: two of the world’s highest-paid athletes this past year.
Forbes magazine released its 2016 rankings of across the globe, counting both in-sport earnings and endorsements over the last 12 months.
The newly retired Manning, on this year’s list, is said to have earned $34.2 million ($19.2 million in salary and bonuses). Per Forbes’ calculations, Manning retired with $249 million in career earnings from the NFL (salary/bonuses) and $400 million in total earnings. While his last season was arguably his worst on the field statistically, it was his best off, having earned $15 million in endorsements to lead all NFL players in that category. And even though his playing days are behind him, he’s slated to appear in five national ad campaigns during the 2016 NFL season.
Thomas, who signed a five-year, $70 million contract with the Broncos in July 2015, came in at , with $23.4 million ($22.2 million salary/bonuses, $1.2 million endorsements) in total earnings over the past year.
FULL LIST:
Soccer stars Cristiano Ronaldo ($88 million) and Lionel Messi ($81.4 million) claimed the top two spots, while LeBron James ($77.2 million), Roger Federer ($67.8 million) and Kevin Durant ($56.2 million) rounded out the top five.
Carolina’s 27-year-old quarterback Cam Newton ranked and led all NFL players with $53.1 million in total earnings ($41.1 million salary/bonuses, $12 million endorsements).
Other highlights from the top 100:
- With Peyton retired, is now the NFL’s active leader in career earnings with $188 million.
- For the second consecutive year, Serena Williams ($28.9 million) and Maria Sharapova ($21.9 million) were the only two women on the list, at Nos. 40 and 88, respectively.
- Former Rockies shortstop ranked 79th with $22.5 million ($22.2 million salary/bonuses, $300,000 endorsements). That $2 million “assignment” bonus he collected with his trade to Toronto helped.
- Michael Jordan topped every active athlete in the world by earning $110 million over the last 12 months.
