Virat Kohli Joins the List of World’s Highest Paid Athletes – Forbes
Jan 9, 2019 at 3:47 PM
29-year old India captain Virat Kohli is one of the major icons in the cricket-crazy nation.
He has got his fair share of followers across the world. The charismatic batsman is among the world’s highest-paid athletes, according to Forbes.
American boxing champion, Floyd Mayweather tops the list. The only sportsman from the country- Kohli is ranked 83rd with earnings close to USD 23 million.
To many people’s surprise, no woman features on the list. 41-year old Mayweather earns about USD 285 million.
Kohli earns it big
The Indian skipper is also one of the five players, who have been awarded an A+ contract, which ensures an annual retainer of more than USD 1 million.
“Yet like the Indian cricket mega-stars who have come before him, Kohli’s big payday comes off the pitch” where he’s partnered with top brands such as Puma, Pepsi, Audi and Oakley, Forbes said.
Forbes also said female sportspersons Li Na, Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams were regular listers until Li hanged up her boots in 2014 while Sharapova served a 15-month suspension for using a banned substance.
Williamson did feature on the top 100 list last year, but her prize money took a beating, as it dropped from a whopping USD 8 million to USD 62,000 this year.
Messi goes past Ronaldo
Mayweather has topped the chart for the fourth time, all thanks to his USD 275 million paydays for his August boxing fight with flamboyant UFC star Conor McGregor.
NBA’s top earner LeBron James cashed in USD 85.5 million. Argentina and Barcelona star Lionel Messi is second on the list while Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo is at the third spot.
Messi’s earnings has been marked at USD 80 million through salary and bonus, leapfrogging his counter-part Ronaldo.
His overall earnings read USD 111 million. Brazilian footballer Neymar also features in the top five bracket. His income has been marked at USD 90 million.