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Here Are the Richest Athletes in the World in 2021

By Sara Anderson
Share to PinterestHere Are the Richest Athletes in the World in 2021
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It's crazy to think that only a few decades ago, athletes could only hope to make a modest living before retiring into obscurity. Many transitioned into second and third careers to make ends meet. Now, current and former athletes are leveraging their images to create multimillion-dollar brands and franchises.

01

Shaquille O'Neal

Share to PinterestShaq performing as DJ Diesel
Gary Miller / Getty Images

We begin with the biggest 7'1" basketball center Shaquille O'Neal. After dominating the NBA as a three-time MVP and four-time league champion, Shaq became an actor and sports commentator. He has endorsed brands from the Shaq-Fu video game to Icy Hot and recently made a splash as recording artist DJ Diesel. O'Neal is worth an estimated $400 million.

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02

Michael Buffer

Share to PinterestMichael Buffer at boxing charity
John Wolfsohn / Getty Images

What a difference a trademark makes! Boxing promoter Michael Buffer was making a reasonable living calling live matches, a gig he started in 1982. The next year, he coined the phrase, "Let's get ready to rumble!" and the rest is history. Since trademarking in 1992, Buffer has earned over $400 million from trademark licensing alone.

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03

Roger Federer

Share to PinterestRoger Federer holding trophy
James D. Morgan / Getty Images

Though he won 20 grand slams in his career, tennis pro Roger Federer makes his money off the court. The Swiss player is often associated with Swiss luxury brands Rolex, Lindt, and Credit Suisse, as well as German luxury automaker Mercedes-Benz. Federer has also represented fashion lines like Japanese company Uniqlo. He's also rocked endorsements from Nike, Barilla, and Gillette. Federer is worth nearly $450 million.

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04

David Beckham

Share to PinterestDavid Beckham at fashion show
Gareth Cattermole/BFC / Getty Images

The Beckhams sure know how to pivot. As wife Victoria Beckham moved from Spice Girl to fashion icon, Man U midfielder David Beckham moved off the pitch to team ownership. Beckham is the current president & co-owner of Inter Miami CF and co-owner of Salford City soccer teams. His estimated worth is over $450 million.

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05

LeBron James

Share to Pinterest NBA player LeBron James attends GQ & LeBron James NBA All Star Party Sponsored By Samsung Galaxy And Beats at Ogden Museum's Patrick F. Taylor Library on February 15, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Michael Loccisano / Getty Images

LA Lakers forward LeBron James dominates both on and off the court. He may not top the list just yet, but don't sleep on the Cleveland phenom. In 2015, James signed a lifetime endorsement deal with Nike valued at upwards of $1 billion. LeBron's current net worth is $480 million.

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06

Floyd Mayweather

Share to PinterestBoxer Floyd Mayweather with press
Greg Doherty / Getty Images

Like father, like son, right? The son of welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather, Sr., Floyd Mayweather, Jr. has dominated the ring as a super featherweight, lightweight, light welterweight, welterweight, and light middleweight boxer. After his retirement, Mayweather became a boxing promoter and created The Money Team (TMT) lifestyle brand. He is worth $505 million.

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07

Magic Johnson

Share to PinterestEarvin "Magic" Johnson visits the SiriusXM Studios on November 29, 2018 in New York City.
Cindy Ord / Getty Images

After 13 seasons on the Los Angeles Lakers, NBA Hall of Famer Earvin "Magic" Johnson still has skin in the game. The "Dream Team" point guard has been a part-owner of the Lakers, Dodgers, and Sparks — the Los Angeles sports trifecta. A former president of operations for the Lakers, this savvy businessman has been at the helm of talk shows, movie theaters, and production companies. Johnson's net worth is $600 million.

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08

Michael Jordan

Share to PinterestMichael Jordan celebrates brand anniversary
Handout / Getty Images

Celebrity athletes come and go, but no one has built a global brand like Michael Jordan. The former Chicago Bulls basketball star started his Air Jordan line under the Nike brand with Tinker Hatfield in 1984. Since then, the basketball and streetwear line has grown to earn $200 million a year. Jordan himself is worth $1.9 billion.

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09

Ion Tiriac

Share to PinterestIon Tiriac at French Open
Jean Catuffe / Getty Images

After retiring from tennis in the 1970s, the "Brașov Bulldozer" Ion became a sports manager before transitioning to business. A few key investments after the fall of communism, including starting the first post-Communist private bank in Romania, made Tiriac a financial powerhouse. The former ice hockey and tennis player heads Tiriac Group, which has holdings across sectors. Tiriac is worth $1.2 billion.

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10

Vince McMahon

Share to PinterestMcMahon announces Wrestlemania
Michael N. Todaro / Getty Images

Vince McMahon got his start as a commentator in the niche regional wrestling circuit of the 1970s. After taking over Capitol Wrestling Corporation from his father, he transformed it into a lucrative enterprise with wide television syndication. So how much is the face of wrestling worth? The current chairman and CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is valued at $2.3 billion.

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