Forbes’ 100 highest paid athletes in world 2020: Virat Kohli lone cricketer; coronavirus impacts earnings

Bengaluru: The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted the earnings of the world’s top athletes. According to the Forbes magazine’s top-100 highest paid athletes in the world for 2020, the total earnings have come down by 9% when compared to 2019. “The 100 highest-paid athletes earned a combined $3.6 billion this year, which is 9% below 2019 and the first decline since 2016, when boxers Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao skewed the results with a $400 million payout from their May 2015 ‘Fight of the Century’ pay-per-view bout,” Forbes said. Virat Kohli is the lone cricketer in the top-100 highest paid athletes in the world. Here are the top-10. The list is topped by Swiss tennis great Roger Federer. Also, find out here where is Kohli placed.

<p><strong>1. Roger Federer (Tennis) ($106.3 million earnings)</strong></p>

1. Roger Federer (Tennis) ($106.3 million earnings)

<p><strong>2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Football) ($105 m)</strong></p>

2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Football) ($105 m)

<p><strong>3. Lionel Messi (Football) ($104m)</strong></p>

3. Lionel Messi (Football) ($104m)

<p><strong>4. Neymar (Football) ($95.5m)</strong></p>

4. Neymar (Football) ($95.5m)

<p><strong>5. LeBron James (Basketball) ($88.2m)</strong></p>

5. LeBron James (Basketball) ($88.2m)

<p><strong>6. Stephen Curry (Basketball) ($74.4m)</strong></p>

6. Stephen Curry (Basketball) ($74.4m)

<p><strong>7. Kevin Durant (Basketball) ($63.9m)</strong></p>

7. Kevin Durant (Basketball) ($63.9m)

<p><strong>8. Tiger Woods (Golf) ($62.3m)</strong></p>

8. Tiger Woods (Golf) ($62.3m)

<p><strong>9. Kirk Cousins (American Football) ($60.5m)</strong></p>

9. Kirk Cousins (American Football) ($60.5m)

<p><strong>10. Carson Wentz (American Football) ($59.1m)</strong></p>

10. Carson Wentz (American Football) ($59.1m)

<p><strong>66. Virat Kohli (Cricket) ($26 million earnings; Endorsements: $24m; Salary/winnings: $2m). India captain is at 66th, a gain of 30 places from 2019.</strong></p>

66. Virat Kohli (Cricket) ($26 million earnings; Endorsements: $24m; Salary/winnings: $2m). India captain is at 66th, a gain of 30 places from 2019.

<p><strong>Sports-wise break-up in the top-100 list: Basketball: 35; Football: 31; Soccer: 14; Tennis: 6; Boxing/MMA: 5; Golf: 4; Racing 3; Baseball: 1; Cricket: 1. Basketball players have dominated.</strong></p>

Sports-wise break-up in the top-100 list: Basketball: 35; Football: 31; Soccer: 14; Tennis: 6; Boxing/MMA: 5; Golf: 4; Racing 3; Baseball: 1; Cricket: 1. Basketball players have dominated.