The World’s Highest Paid Athletes of 2012 according to Forbes Magazine

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After a highly-strung debate during the earlier half of the year, Forbes Magazine has finally released its official list of highest-paid athletes of 2012. The net worth of these athletes not only comprises of their commissions from matches and games, but also from their numerous endorsements and ad campaigns, bonuses and other salaries for the past twelve months. So, who’s now sitting on the throne of the richest athlete of the year? It was a bitter battle between two boxers who, until now, haven’t met up on the ring, but Forbes has already decided. In terms of wealth and assets, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. beats fellow boxer Manny Pacquiao.

Among the top 50 athletes who’ve made the cut, 14 come from NFL football, while 8 are from baseball, and 6 come from basketball. Surprisingly, only three boxers made it to the list, and three soccer stars and four tennis champs. The remaining highest paid athletes represent sports such as golf, car racing, motorbike racing, and cricket.

1. Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

Between June 2011 and June 2012, this American boxing champ has raked in a total of $85 million, with earnings coming solely from his salaries and winnings-and no endorsements.

2. Manny Pacquiao

The “People’s Champ”, as he is known not only for his supreme southpaw boxing style but also for his polite and down-to-earth demeanor, Pacquiao has earned $62 million, $56 million coming from salaries and winnings, and another $6M from advertising gigs including that of Nike, Hennessy, and Hewlett Packard.

3. Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods was able to bring in $59.4M under his name between June 2011 and June 2012, majority of which coming from his Nike endorsement. As of September 2010, Woods has an estimated net worth of $500M, according to Forbes.

4. LeBron James

This NBA player currently holds a lofty sum of $53 million, with $40M coming from various endorsements and $13M from salary and winnings.

5. Roger Federer

Roger Federer, one of the most popular tennis champs of his time, was able to take in $52.7 million from June 2011. Among his endorsements include Nike, Rolex, Credit Suisse and Wilson.

6. Kobe Bryant

Kobe ranks the 6th highest paid athlete of the year, with $52.3M under his tile. Not only was he able to get a hefty sum of $20.3M from salary/winnings, he also got another $32M from various endorsements.

7. Phil Mickelson

Aside from Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson has also earned a good amount of cash during the past year. His wealth of $47.8M has been sourced out mainly from endorsements, such as Callaway, Exxon, Rolex, and Amgen/Pfizer.

8. David Beckham

Still the hottest soccer star of his generation, David Beckham has earned $46M from June 2011. As of April 2012, he is reported to have an estimated net worth of $260M, according to Sunday Times Rich List.

9. Cristiano Ronaldo

Another highly popular soccer star is Cristiano Ronaldo, and by June 2012 this 27-year-old athlete was able to nab over $42.5 million, more than half coming from numerous endorsements.

10. Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning is currently the richest NFL star this year after earning $42.4 million from June 2011.

11. Lionel Messi

Messi is one of the newest soccer stars of today’s generation, but over the past year he has already garnered as much as $39 million, nearly half of which he earned from numerous endorsements.

12. Haloti Ngata

Haloti Ngata is considered to be among the fiercest NFL players today, and while he hasn’t fared that well in endorsements, he was able to bring as much as $37.1M from winnings during the past year.

13. Larry Fitzgerald

Aside from Ngata, Fitzgerald has also done a few good deals from the year that was. Apart from his $35.3M salary, this NFL player has also gained another $1.5M from endorsements.

14. Ndamukong Suh

At No. 14 of Forbes’ richest athletes is Ndamukong Suh, another NFL player who has garnered over $35.5M in salaries, and $500,000 in endorsements.

15. Charles Johnson

NFL player Charles Johnson occupies the #15 position on the richest athletes’ list, and under his title is a whopping $34.4 million in salaries and endorsements.

16. Rafael Nadal

The second tennis ace to make it in the richest athletes’ list, Rafael Nadal boasts $33.2 million, with $25.M coming from various brand endorsements and another $8.2M from salaries and winnings.

17. Mario Williams

NFL hottie Mario Williams was able to earn a hefty #33.2 million from June 2011 to June 2012. Although he didn’t get much from endorsements, the bulk of his wealth during the past year has come from salary and winnings instead.

18. Alex Rodriguez

ARod, who’s been linked to the likes of Kate Hudson and Cameron Diaz, was able to gain $33 during the past year, $31M through salaries and winnings, and $2M from brand endorsements such as Nike, Topps, Vita Coco and Rawlings.

19. Fernando Alonso

Formula One race car driver Fernando Alonso was able to rake in $32 million by living life in the fast lane, $29M rooted from salaries and $3M from brand endorsements.

20. Valentino Rossi and Michael Schumacher

Motorcycle racecar driver Valentino Rossi is the sole representative of the sport in the richest athlete’s list, with $30 million under his name. Rossi was able to rake in #17 million from salary earnings, and another $13M from endorsements.

Renowned Formula One racer Michael Schumacher meanwhile also lands on the 20th spot, earning $30 million from June 2011 to June 2012. Earnings come from salaries ($20 million), and multiple endorsements ($10 million).

The next 29 spots in Forbes highest paid athletes’ list are dominated by NFL players, including Darrelle Revis(#22), Sam Bradford (#27), Tom Brady (#28), Eli Manning (#30), LaMarr Woodley (#31), Mark Sanchez (#38), Ben Roethlisberger (#43), and Michael Vick (#50).

Baseball champs also have a good representation in the list, and among them are Joe Mauer (#29), Derek Jeter (#36), Ichiro Suzuki (#39), CC Sabathia and Johan Santana (tied at #40), Mark Teixeira (#45), and Vernon Wells (#49).

Racecar drivers including Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (#23), Lewis Hamilton (#24), Jeff Gordon (#42) and Tony Stewart (#47) earned good positions on the top 50 richest players of 2012, with earnings ranging between $28.2M and $22.3M.

Basketball stars meanwhile reign in the lower half of the list, among them include Dwight Howard (#33), Kevin Durant (#34), Dwayne Wade (#35), Carmelo Anthony (#44), and Amar’e Stoudemire (#46).

Other athletes who have completed the top 50 list include boxer Wladimir Klitschko (#24, tied with Lewis Hamilton), tennis cutie Maria Sharapova (#26), cricket player Mahendra Singh Dhoni (#31, tied with LaMarr Woodley), and golfer Luke Donald (#48).