In 2016, the list of the richest athletes who came to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro was dominated by basketball and tennis, thanks to the decision of some wealthy athletes, including basketball player LeBron James to refrain from participating in competitions.
It looks like this top 10 richest athletes in the Rio Olympics according to Forbes.
10. Paul George, basketball player
- Total revenue: $ 24.1 million.
- Advertising revenue: $ 7 million.
In 2014, the Indiana Pacers team forward suffered a serious leg injury. However, already in the 2015/16 season, he regained his best form and is now ready to compete for the title of Olympic champion.
9. Kairi Irving, basketball player
- Total revenue: $ 27.6 million.
- Advertising Revenue: $ 11 Million
This year, Irving will make his debut at the Olympics, and in 2014, together with his team, he won gold at the World Championships. The basketball player signed a contract with Nike for $ 5 million and still receives income from the sale of personalized shoes.
8. Serena Williams, tennis player
- Total revenue: $ 28.9 million.
- Advertising revenue: $ 20 million.
The only lady in the ranking of the richest Olympians in 2016. In 2015, she won three Grand Slam tournaments. In London in 2012, Williams won gold in the women's singles and doubles, and previously won gold in both Beijing and Sydney.
7. Carmelo Anthony, basketball player
- Total revenue: $ 30.9 million.
- Advertising Revenue: $ 8 Million
He received gold medals twice: once for the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and another for the 2012 London Olympics. If he wins gold in Rio, he will become the first three-time Olympic champion in the history of American basketball. Anthony's sponsors include such giants as Nike, Draft Kings and Jordan Brand.
6. Usain Bolt, Sprinter
- Total revenue: $ 32.5 million.
- Advertising revenue: $ 30 million.
The fastest man in the world returned to the Rio 2016 Olympics. He has won many gold medals, in particular, for the 100 meters at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
This year the Olympics will be the last for Bolt and he intends to win three gold medals: for one hundred, two hundred meters and for the 4x100 relay.
5. Kay Nishikori, tennis player
- Total revenue: $ 33.5 million.
The first Asian tennis player to qualify for the Grand Slam final in 2014. For this, Japan adores its hero, and thanks to the efforts of the IMG agency, whose client is Nishikori, the athlete has entered into lucrative contracts with a number of brands, including Jaguar, Adidas, Uniqlo, Procter & Gamble and others. The tennis player has already won two matches at the Olympics.
4. Neymar, soccer player
- Total revenue: $ 37.5 million.
- Advertising Revenue: $ 23 Million
The 24-year-old Brazilian footballer signed a contract with Barcelona club, valid until 2021. The net worth of its assets is $ 90 million. For the purpose of advertising, such brands as Nike, Gillette, Red Bull and Panasonic collaborate with Neymar.
3. Rafael Nadal, tennis player
- Total revenue: $ 37.5 million.
- Advertising Revenue: $ 32 Million
For the Spanish athlete, 2015 was a bad year. He was the first to fail to win a single Grand Slam tournament since 2004. However, Nadal has good chances for a medal in Rio, as one of the strongest rivals (Djokovic) is no longer participating in the games, and the other rival (Federer), who underwent knee surgery, is undergoing rehabilitation.
2. Novak Djokovic, tennis player
- Total revenue: $ 55.8 million.
- Advertising Revenue: $ 34 Million
Despite two losses: in the men's singles tournament and doubles, Djokovic is the second of the richest athletes at the Rio Summer Olympics, having earned $ 55.8 million over the past 12 months. He has already completed his Olympics, as he will not perform in the mixed doubles.
1. Kevin Durant, basketball player
- Total revenue: $ 56.2 million
- Advertising Revenue: $ 36 Million
The new star of the Golden State Warriors team. If the US team manages to win a medal in games, he will receive a substantial bonus: $ 25,000 for gold, $ 15,000 for silver and $ 10,000 for bronze.
