JCM: Top 100 World’s Highest Paid Athletes and the sports that bring them to stardom

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Top 100 World’s Highest Paid Athletes and the sports that bring them to stardom

48. Prince Fielder

Takings/Payouts: $24 million

Advertisements: $300,000

Total Earnings: $24.3 million

Prince Semien Fielder, an American professional baseball first baseman, designated hitter for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball, and also played for the Milwaukee Brewers and Detroit Tigers

Neck surgery sidelined Fielder for all but 42 games in his first season in Texas. Nevertheless, he still pocketed his full $24 million salary in 2014. The Tigers, who signed Fielder to his current $214 million contract before trading him to Texas, will cover $30 million of Fielder's take home pay between 2016 and 2020. He has endorsement contracts with Nike and Rawlings.

49. Joe Johnson

Takings/Payouts: $23.2 million

Advertisements: $1 million

Total Earnings: $24.2 million

Joe Marcus, an American professional player currently plays for the Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association.

The 2015-16 season is the final year of the 6-year, $120 million contract Johnson signed with the Atlanta Hawks before being dealt with the Brooklyn Nets in 2012. His $24.9 million salary next season will be second highest in the NBA after Kobe Bryant. He made his seventh All-Star team in 2014. Endorsements with Nike as a Jordan Brand athlete makes his income expanded.

50. Joe Mauer

Takings/Payouts: $23 million

Advertisements: $1 million

Total Earnings: $24 million

Joseph "Joe" Patrick Mauer, an American professional baseball player who has played as a catcher, designated hitter, and first baseman for the Minnesota Twins

in Major League Baseball.

He bagged the 2009 American League MVP Award into an eight-year, $184 million deal extension before the 2010 season. The Minnesota Twins still indebted Mauer $23 million each year from 2016 to 2018. The six-time All-Star stepped to first base in 2014 after 10 years as a catcher in the majors. His endorsement earnings are down, but he still maintains contracts with Nike, Rawlings and Steiner Sports.

51. CC Sabathia

Takings/Payouts: $23 million

Advertisements: $900,000

Total earnings: $23.9 million

Carsten Charles "CC" Sabathia, Jr. an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball who upon signing with the Yankees prior to the 2009 season, became the highest-paid pitcher in MLB history.

The left-handed throwing ace is still getting paid like a star through the seven-year, $161 million contract before the 2009 season, which was the largest ever for a pitcher at the time. He released his first children's book last year: "CC Claus: A Baseball Christmas Story."

52. Chris Bosh

Takings/Payouts: $20.8 million

Advertisements: $3 million

Total earnings: $23.8 million

Christopher Wesson "Chris" Bosh, an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association.

He re-signed with the Miami Heat in July 2014 for $118 million over five years. His 2014-15 season was interrupted after the All-Star break brought by blood clots on one of his lungs. The 10-time All-Star earns $3 million yearly off the court from memorabilia, appearances and endorsement contracts with American Express, FantasyDraft, Nike, and Panini.

53. Eli Manning

Takings/Payouts: $15.7 million

Advertisements: $8 million

Total earnings: $23.7 million

Elisha Nelson "Eli" Manning, an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League, the younger brother of Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and former NFL quarterback Archie Manning's son.

The two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback maintains to be one of the most bankable players off the field. His bread-and-butter includes Dunkin' Donuts, Toyota Motor, DirecTV, Gatorade, and Citizen watches. His relationship with Reebok finished last year after a decade together, but he signed a contract with Nike ahead of the 2014 season.

53. Zack Greinke

Takings/Payouts: $23.7 million

Advertisements: $50,000

Total earnings: $23.7 million

Donald Zackary "Zack" Greinke, an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball, has also pitched for the Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

He signed a six-year, $147 million contract with the Dodgers in the 2012 baseball offseason. He set an MLB record, formerly occupied by Roger Clemens, last year with his 22nd straight start holding the opposition to two earned runs or fewer. His contract with Dodgers' is until after the 2015 season.

55. Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Takings/Payouts: $14.6 million

Advertisements: $9 million

Total earnings: $23.6 million

Ralph Dale Earnhardt, Jr., known as Dale Jr. for short, is an American professional stock car racing driver and team owner.

He reached Victory Lane four times in 2014, which is the same number of times as the previous nine seasons combined. He remains the sport's biggest star and top merchandise seller. He was chosen Nascar's most popular driver in 2014 for a twelfth straight year. His personal endorsement partners include Chevrolet, eBay, Goody's, TaxSlayer and Wrangler.