Each year since 2004, Sports Illustrated has produced its deeply researched, ranked list of the 50 highest earning active athletes. This year, for the first time, the list is a joint effort between SI and Fortune.
Compiling the Fortunate 50 is a complex and multifaceted operation. Estimating endorsement deal values is a risky game, and even player salaries from their sport, which are more easily attainable, are not always publicly known in their exact totals.
Last year, the sports world was surprised to see boxer Floyd Mayweather sitting atop the herd at No. 1. This year he's there again. Mayweather's new deal with Showtime -- he ditched HBO -- gets him some $45 million for a single fight, thanks to a high guaranteed purse and sizable cut of the pay-per-view returns. Apart from boxer Floyd, this year's 50 includes 25 baseball players, 12 basketball players, 9 football players, two golfers and a NASCAR driver.
Flip through to see the rest of this year's top 10. Then, head to SI.com for the full 50 and the international list as well.
Mark Teixeira, Cal Ripken, Jr. and Randy Johnson made big money in Major League Baseball. Now they discuss the business ventures they've pursued outside of sports.
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