Over time, there has been a significant evolution in the sports world. Athletes today are no longer just limited to their sports; they have taken on the role of brand ambassadors for the best possible marketing. Globally, athletes are paid enormous sums of money to endorse brands. Floyd Mayweather, who is renowned for producing the most lucrative sporting events, is, however, not included on the list of greatest brand endorsement deals.

Although, Floyd Mayweather is the richest boxer in the world, he is not even close to the top 5 on the list. Interestingly, even tennis legend, Serena Williams, and former NBA star, Shaquille O’Neal, do not make the cut either. Now, the question arises; who is the one who tops the chart?

Who is the athlete with the biggest endorsement deal? 

Cristiano Ronaldo, the legendary footballer’s name, reverberates all over the world. Kids that play football want the name “CR7” on their jerseys. As a result, Ronaldo beat every other athlete to ink a huge, $1 billion contract with Nike.

With 474 million followers, the soccer star from Portugal has the most followers on Instagram. Ronaldo is so well-known that even someone who is not a football fan would still have heard of him. He is a force all by himself, and according to Forbes, Nike has gained $474 million from his social media presence in only one year.

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Athletes with the most exorbitant endorsement deals 

Derrick Rose, a basketball player from the United States, signed one of the largest athlete endorsement contracts, leaving many other prominent athletes around the globe behind. He has a fat deal with Adidas worth an astounding $260 million.

The man is an expert in his profession, and at only 22 years old, he became the youngest NBA player to earn the MVP title. The German three-striped organization has given the New York Knicks player a significant endorsement agreement.

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Astonishing sums of money have been made by athletes through endorsement deals. A golfer’s name also carries such a bargain. Tiger Woods must be on your mind, but it is the wrong assumption. It is Northern Ireland’s golfing champ, Rory McIlroy.

McIlroy has a mouth-watering deal with Nike, which is worth $250 million, just $10 million less than Derrick Rose. 

The former boxer George Foreman is also a significant name on the list. The man has experimented with other things in addition to cementing his reputation as one of the greatest boxers of his generation. The former two-time heavyweight world champion is now an author, entrepreneur, and minister. He has received a stunning $200 million from Salton Inc. as the cherry on the top. It’s interesting to note that he has elevated the brand to the point that people associate the brand with Foreman’s Grill.

Former captain of the England football team and star player for Real Madrid, who is a member of the “Galacticos,” David Beckham, is revered for his style and class. Adidas agreed to a $160 million deal with the international icon. Any business would pay anything to be endorsed by Beckham because of his widespread appeal and fan base.

How could the king of endorsements not make it to the list? Tiger Woods consistently appears on lists of the wealthiest athletes or those with the highest salaries. According to estimates, the golfing icon had a $105 million, five-year contract with Nike. The agreement, which was inked in 2000, was thought to be the largest endorsement contract ever signed by an athlete.

Where do other notable athletes stand on the list? 

Michael Jordan, the richest athlete in the world, may not have the biggest endorsement agreement. He did, however, sign the most lucrative contract with Nike. His Airness has a subdivision and a partnership with Nike. Jordan’s name is used frequently on Nike merchandise, and according to Forbes, he made over $1.3 billion in a single year.

Furthermore, NBA superstar LeBron James is also a magnet when it comes to endorsements. Interestingly, he recently crossed the $1 billion net worth mark. Apparently, Nike is the king to sign all the big deals and athletes, paying James a whopping $90 million in 2003.     

The Mexican boxing champion, Canelo Alvarez, on the other hand, hasn’t inked a deal quite this size, but he is encircled by well-known companies like Louis Vuitton, Tecate, Hennesy, and Roger Dubuis. Meanwhile, what do you think of the biggest endorsement deals by athletes? Share your views in the comments below.

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