The World’s 10 highest -paid Athletes 2014

#1 Floyd Mayweather

Total Earnings: $105 million

Salary/winnings: $105 million

Endorsements: $0

Mayweather is the first athlete besides Tiger Woods to earn $100 million in Forbes' annual tally of the highest-paid athletes. His September 2013 fight against Canelo Alvarez set records for highest pay-per-view gross ($150 million), live gate ($20 million) and total revenue (roughly $200 million). The Canelo fight marked the second bout in the blockbuster 30-month, six fight deal he signed with Showtime in 2013.

#2 Cristiano Ronaldo

Total Earnings: $80 million

Salary/winnings: $52 million

Endorsements: $28 million

The Portugal and Real Madrid star was voted the sport's most valuable player in the world in 2013, the second time in his career, after scoring 69 goals in 59 club and country competitions. Real Madrid

#3 LeBron James

Total Earnings: $72.3 million

Salary/winnings: $19.3 million

Endorsements: $53 million

James is the NBA's biggest endorsement star, thanks to deals with Nike, McDonald's, Coca-Cola, Upper Deck and others. Sales of his signature Nike shoes were tops among active players at $300 million in the U.S. during 2013. James also made millions through his small stake in Beats when it was sold to Apple for $3 billion.drid rewarded him with a record 5-year contract worth $206 million.

#4 Lionel Messi

Total Earnings: $64.7 million

Salary/winnings: $41.7 million

Endorsements: $23 million

Sponsors like Adidas, who launched his signature shoe last year, and Turkish Airlines, who paired him with NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, have invested heavily in Barcelona's most prolific goal scorer. In May, he signed his 7th contract in 11 years that will pay him $50 million a year and extend his stay at Camp Nou until 2018.

#5 Kobe Bryant

Total Earnings: $61.5 million

Salary/winnings: $30.5 million

Endorsements: $31 million

Bryant's $30.5 million salary is nearly $8 million higher than any other player. He inked a two-year, $48.5 million contract extension in November that will keep his on-court salary tops in the NBA. His deals with the likes of Turkish Air, Lenovo, Hublot, Nike and Panini for merchandise are worth $30 million annually.

#6 Tiger Woods

Total Earnings: $61.2 million

Salary/winnings: $6.2 million

Endorsements: $55 million

Woods' earnings took a hit when Electronic Arts announced in 2013 that it would end its relationship with Woods and his eponymous video game after 14 versions. The series generated nearly $800 million in sales, according to NPD Group. Nike renewed its deal with Woods in 2013. The company's

#7 Roger Federer

Total Earnings: $56.2 million

Salary/winnings: $4.2 million

Endorsements: $52 million

Federer holds the records for most singles Grand Slam wins (17) and career prize money ($81 million). His endorsement portfolio is filled with long-term deals with blue-chip companies like Nike, Rolex and Credit Suisse. His sponsors collectively pay him more than $40 million annually.

golf division registered sales of $791 million in Nike's 2013 fiscal year.

#8 Phil Mickelson

Total Earnings: $53.2 million

Salary/winnings: $5.2 million

Endorsements: $48 million

Mickelson picked up valuable sponsor bonuses last year for winning the British Open for the first time. He earns more than $40 million annually from appearances and endorsement partners: Callaway, Barclay's, KPMG, Exxon Mobil, Rolex and Amgen/Pfizer. Mickelson has racked up 42 PGA victories (ninth all-time), $74 million in career prize money (second all-time).

#9 Rafael Nadal

Total Earnings: $44.5 million

Salary/winnings: $14.5 million

Endorsements: $30 million

World No. 1 Nadal had a monster 2013 season where he won two Grand Slams (French Open, U.S. Open). The wins and top year-end ranking kicked in bonuses from sponsors in addition to the $14.5 million in prize money he earned between June and June. Nadal's biggest endorsement partner is Nike where his earnings are heavily tied to his year-end rank.

#10 Matt Ryan

Total Earnings: $43.8 million

Salary/winnings: $42 million

Endorsements: $1.8 million

Ryan signed a five-year, $103.75 million contract last year with the Falcons that included a $28 million signing bonus and a $12 million option bonus paid in March. The $20.75 million average annual value was the second highest in the NFL behind only Aaron Rodgers at the time of signing (Colin Kaepernick has since surpassed Ryan).

Source:Forbes