It is well-known that salaries in the world of professional sport reach numbers with many digits. As frustrating as it may be for ordinary people, the marketing field still benefits from athletes’ success. Lower is the list of fifteen prominent endorsements in the world of sports.
15. RORY MCILROY
The deal between Nike and Rory McIlroy resulted in a triple-digit sum. As a promising golfer, he was the right choice for Nike, as they hoped he would become a global brand one day.
14. ROGER FEDERER
One of the most prominent and famous tennis players of the present day, Roger Federer has had numerous endorsements throughout his career. Today he gets around fifty million dollars a year from some of his sponsors.
13. DWYANE WADE
Although this season may not be as financially successful for Dwyane Wade as the previous one, his income is still immense. He recently signed a deal with Li-Ning, a Chinese footwear company. This deal is worth approximately 10 million dollars a year and expands for ten years.
12. TIGER WOODS
Throughout his career, Tiger Woods has had multiple contracts with Nike. In 1996 a five-year-long forty million worth deal was signed, and in 2001there was another one, but this time in triple digits. Tiger woods signed his fourth contract in 2013, but unfortunately, there were no big wins on his side.
11. KOBE BRYANT
Kobe Bryant is an excellent example of an athlete who can be relevant for a long time. His contract with Nike made it possible for him to gain fifteen million dollars per year, and hopefully, their collaboration will continue.
10. LIONEL MESSI
Lionel Messi is one of the biggest stars in modern football. Adidas endorsed their deal worth one hundred and forty million dollars, and the contract is more than seven years long.
9. CRISTIANO RONALDO
Nike endorses yet another huge football star: Cristiano Ronaldo. Their five-year-long deal costs more than one hundred million dollars. Attracting new customers to Nike won’t be difficult for Cristiano, as he is extremely attractive and charismatic.
8. GEORGE FOREMAN
An immense influence of George Foreman on the wellness industry was connected with his deal with Salton Inc. it was signed in 1999 and was worth more than one hundred and thirty million dollars.
7. DAVID BECKHAM
A huge success of David Beckham in the football field led to signing a lifetime contract with Adidas. He received half of 160 million dollars in advance.
6. DAMIAN LILLARD
Adidas and Damian Lillard signed a very successful deal in 2014. This young and promising athlete has proposed one hundred million dollars for a ten-year contract.
5. DERRICK ROSE
In 2012 Adidas signed a shoe deal with Derrick Rose. According to it, he will receive 185 million dollars for thirteen years.
4. JAMES HARDEN
This basketball player got a thirteen-year deal with Adidas. The deal was worth two hundred million dollars. However, James Harden’s play is slightly in decline at the moment.
3. KEVIN DURANT
What can a professional athlete be up to after signing with Nike a 10-year deal worth around three hundred million dollars? Probably, winning a championship is the only thing left for Kevin Durant to care about.
2. MICHAEL JORDAN
Michael Jordan’s career is closely connected with Nike’s Jordan brand. It allowed him to use his name as a brand and create an empire, which generated an estimated four hundred and eighty million dollars. Nowadays, it brings even more money than his career in professional sports.
1. LEBRON JAMES
LeBron James finally signed his lifetime deal with Nike after a couple of previous deals. This deal is thought to be one of the largest single-athlete deals in the history of the Nike brand.
