Federer tops list of world’s highest-paid athletes

NEW YORK: Roger Federer topped the 2020 Forbes magazine list of highest-paid global athletes announced Friday, leading the lineup for the first time with pre-tax earnings of US$106.3 million (95.5 million euros).

The Swiss tennis legend, a men’s record 20-time Grand Slam singles champion, becomes the first player from his sport atop the annual list since its 1990 debut, rising from fifth in 2019.

Federer’s haul over the past 12 months included US$100 million from appearances fees and endorsement deals plus US$6.3 million in prize money.

His previous best showing was second in 2013.

“His brand is pristine, which is why those that can afford to align with him clamour to do so,” University of Southern California sports business professor David

Carter told the magazine.

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic that shut down sports worldwide caused the first decline since 2016 in the total income of the world’s 100 toppaid athletes, a nine per cent dip from last year to US$3.6 billion. Another plunge is expected next year from the shutdown.

Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo was second on the list at US$105 million, US$60 million in salary and US$45 million from endorsements, with Argentine football hero Lionel Messi third on US$104 million, US$32 million of that from sponsorship deals.

Messi and Ronaldo, who have traded the top spot three of the past four years, saw their combined incomes dip US$28 million from last year due to salary cuts when European clubs halted play in March.