Making it to the top in the world of professional sports is no easy feat, so it comes as no major surprise that only a handful of people actually make it. Those who actually do are compensated extremely well for their other worldly abilities, as well as their skill and hard work. Personal performance, generous contracts and endorsement deals all help build an athlete’s wealth. Take a look at the list and find out which of your favorite athletes have the highest net worth.
Michael Jordan – $1.9 Billion
Michael Jordan is not only the highest paid athlete of all time, he’s also one of the most famous. He rose to fame thanks to his skills on the basketball court, where he played 15 seasons in the NBA. Although he retired in 2003, he is still considered to be the best basketball player of all time. Since leaving the league, he hasn’t stopped, and has built an incredibly successful career for himself. Michael Jordan is the owner and creator of the signature shoe and athletic brand ‘Jordan’. The enterprise alone brings in an average of $3 billion in revenue each year. He is also the principal owner of the NBA team, the Charlotte Hornets. As of 2019, Michael Jordan is the richest athlete in the world with a net worth of $1.9 billion.
Michael Jordan – $1.9 Billion
Alex Rodriguez – $350 Million
American professional baseball player Alex Rodriguez, also known as A-Rod, is considered one of the best to have ever graced the sport. He was the #1 pick in the 1993 draft, playing most of his career with the New York Yankees. When the Yankees signed him in 2007, he agreed to a $275 million deal, one of the highest in the history of the sport. A-Rod played in the MLB for a total of 22 seasons before retiring in 2016. After leaving the league, like many other athletes, Rodriguez got into business ventures, creating A-ROD CORP, a private holding company. He is also an analyst on Fox Sports and ESPN. Currently, A-Rod is worth $350 million.
Alex Rodriguez – $350 Million
