Forbes' 2015 List Of The World's Highest-Paid Athletes

Floyd Mayweather has had a career full of monster paydays, with cumulative earnings of $420 million entering 2015. But Mayweather still craved the score of a lifetime. “Even from day one when I was with Bob Arum, I said I wanted to work extremely hard to get to a certain point in my career, which is to get to a point to be the first fighter to ever make nine figures in one night,” Mayweather said ahead of his May 2 fight with Manny Pacquiao. Mission accomplished for the man they call Money.
Mayweather received a $100 million check on fight night, but the real payoff came after the revenue figures were tallied up. The fight was a dud in many people’s eyes, but it smashed every financial record in boxing, including pay-per-view buys (4.4 million and climbing), total gate ($73 million) and sponsorships ($13 million). The fight is expected to gross $600 million once everything is counted. The fighters and their promotion companies will divvy up roughly $400 million, with Mayweather owed a 60% cut. Factor in his September 2014 bout against Marcos Maidana, and Mayweather earned $285 million over the last 12 months in the ring. “Floyd Mayweather just pulled off the biggest score in the history of sports and entertainment,” says Leonard Ellerbe, who heads Mayweather Promotions.

1. Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Total Earnings: $300 million
Salary/Winnings: $285 million
Endorsements: $15 million

Mayweather's $300 million year shatters the record for athlete earnings, which was previously held by Tiger Woods who banked $115 million in 2008. Mayweather's May 2 fight against Manny Pacquiao crushed multiple boxing financial records, including PPV buys (4.4 million), total gate ($73 million) and sponsorships ($13 million). Mayweather has typically shunned endorsement deals, but inked agreements with Hublot, FanDuel and Burger King ahead of the May fight.

Mayweather has shunned endorsement deals in the past, but he inked agreements with Hublot, FanDuel and Burger King ahead of the Pacquiao fight. The sponsorship deals and other earnings outside the ring from things like his TMT merchandise (short for The Money Team) added $15 million to Mayweather’s historic year.
This is the third time in four years that Mayweather has ranked as the world’s highest-paid athlete (Tiger Woods was the highest-paid in the 12 other years since 2001). Mayweather’s $300 million year shatters the record for athlete earnings, which was previously held by Tiger Woods, who banked $115 million in 2008 ($125 million adjusted for inflation). If Mayweather worked on Wall Street, he would have ranked 14th among the top-earning hedge fund managers in 2014. (See “Mayweather and Pacquiao Produce The First $600 Million Night In The History Of Sports”)
The Pacquiao fight marked the fifth bout in the blockbuster 30-month, six-fight deal Mayweather signed with Showtime in 2013. Mayweather, whose record now stands at 48-0, plans to fight in September to satisfy his contract and then ride off into the sunset.

Pacquiao also scored the payday of a lifetime, vaulting him to second place among the world’s highest-paid athletes at $160 million (he ranked 11th last year). Pacquiao’s $125 million haul for the Mayweather bout was four times his previous high for a boxing match. Pacman also tallied $23 million for his November fight against Chris Algieri that took place in the gambling mecca of Macau, China.

Pacquiao boosted his income further through endorsement deals with Nike, Foot Locker, Wonderful Pistachios and Nestle’s Butterfinger, plus a handful in the Philippines. The pugilist and Philippine congressman is sidelined for the rest of 2015 after shoulder surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff. His promoter Bob Arum is aiming to have Pacquiao climb back in the ring in Dubai or Abu Dhabi in March or April 2016.

Our earnings figures include all salaries, prize money and bonuses paid out between June 1, 2014, and June 1, 2015. Endorsement incomes are an estimate of sponsorship deals, appearance fees and licensing fees for the 12 months through June 1 based on conversations with dozens of industry insiders. We do not deduct for taxes or agents’ fees and we do not include investment income.

The 100 highest-paid athletes made $3.2 billion in total over the last 12 months, up 17% from the prior year. The entry point jumped to $18.8 million from $17.3 million with Houston Rockets guard James Harden grabbing the last spot. The top 100 includes athletes from 10 sports. Baseball is the most prevalent with 27 MLB players making the cut.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger leads 33 new faces in the top 100, ranking 11th with $48.9 million after inking a contract extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers in March that included a $31 million signing bonus. Americans dominate the list with 62 athletes, but the top 25 has a much more international flavor with 14 non-Americans (see “The World’s Highest-Paid Athletes 2015: Behind The Numbers”).
A pair of soccer players who compete every year for the title of the best player in the world’s biggest sport landed the third and fourth spots in the top 100. Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo ranks third with earnings of $79.6 million. The three-time and reigning FIFA best player in the world has scored 60 or more goals in each of the last four calendar years. Real, which is the world’s most valuable soccer club at $3.3 billion, rewards its star with more than $50 million a year in salary and bonuses. Ronaldo’s commercial sponsors like Nike, Tag Heuer and Herbalife benefit from his massive social media presence—he counts 158 million followers across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (see “Cristiano Ronaldo Heads The Most Popular Athletes On Social Media”)
Barcelona rewarded their four-time FIFA player of the year, Lionel Messi, with a $9 million a year raise in 2014. It is Messi’s seventh new contract since 2005 and puts his salary and bonuses in line with Ronaldo at $50 million a year through 2018. Messi delivered for Barca this season by leading the squad to its fifth Champions League title in June. His endorsement partners include Adidas, PepsiCo, Electronic Arts, Turkish Airlines, Gillette, Audemars Piguet and more. Samsung cast him as superhero Iron Man this year in its ad to promote the new Avengers film. The Argentine star banked $22 million off the pitch over the last year by our count with total earnings of $73.8 million.
Roger Federer ranks fifth with earnings of $67 million, including $58 million from sponsors, exhibitions and appearance fees. Federer dropped to No. 7 in the world tennis rankings in 2013, but he rebounded last year to finish the year in second. His endorsement portfolio is filled with long-term deals with blue-chip companies like Nike, Rolex and Credit Suisse. He extended his Mercedes-Benz deal at the end of 2014 for another three years. The latest addition is a five-year pact with Sunrise, the largest private telecommunications provider in Switzerland.

LeBron James is the NBA’s top-earning player and ranks sixth among all athletes at $64.8 million. James is the first NBA player to appear in five straight NBA Finals since the Boston Celtics dynasty of the 1960s. The four-time MVP returned to Cleveland in July 2014 when he signed a two-year, $42.1 million contract after four seasons in Miami. James inked the shorter deal, instead of a richer four-year pact, so he could be a free agent again in 2016 when the NBA’s new $24 billion TV deals kick in and send the salary cap soaring.

James added Kia Motors last year to his endorsement portfolio, which already included Nike, McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Samsung, Beats by Dre, Upper Deck, Tencent and Audemars Piguet. Sales of his signature Nike shoes were tops among active players at $340 million in the U.S. during 2014, according to research firm SportsOneSource, and his Cavs jersey was also the NBA’s best seller.

The ranks of the world’s highest-paid athletes are more testosterone-filled than ever with only two women making the list after the retirement of former regular Li Na from the WTA Tour last year. Maria Sharapova is the top-ranked women at No. 26 with earnings of $29.7 million. Sharapova bounced back from an injury riddled 2013 to win the 2014 French Open, triggering lucrative bonuses from sponsors like Nike and Head.

Serena Williams earned $24.6 million and ranks No. 47. The world’s top-ranked tennis player captured her 20th Grand Slam singles title at the French Open. Her $72 million in career prize money is double that of Sharapova, her closest competitor. Williams added deals with Chase and Audemars Piguet to her endorsement portfolio, which is headed by Nike. She also expanded her Gatorade relationship to include the sports drink’s parent PepsiCo, which used Williams in its revival of the Pepsi Challenge.

CAVEAT EMPTOR! FRAUDSTER HACKS WIZKID’S OFFICIAL EMAIL ACCOUNTS

StarBoi Wizkid

An official statement from List Entertainment, the management company of the Afro-pop star, Wizkid has stated that the internet scammers have hacked into the account of the starboi. Here is the statement: 

OFFICIAL STATEMENT
List Entertainment would like to bring to the attention of the general public that the certified email accounts of front-line Nigerian artiste and founder of Starboy Music, Ayo Balogun popularly known as Wizkid has been hacked.

The FollowingAccounts;"starboybookings@gmail.com", ayobalogunwizkid339@gmail.com and wizkidayo@gmail.com are currently being used to send fraudulent emails to business partners and other associates of the artiste.

The said email accounts are no longer under our control and we want the general public to disregard all mails received from it. All mails should be sent to sunday.are@listentertainmentng.com or call 08033480122, 08059932155, and 08115975110 to enlist the services of Wizkid.

Wizkid recently announced List Entertainment as his new management company for all business engagements.

Thanks

Sunday Are
C.E.O LIST ENTERTAINMENT

Toolz Confesses: ‘I Don’t Know How To Be A Wife’

Toolz

A few days ago, Beat 99.9 FM On Air personality, Tolu Oniru popularly known as Toolz, got engaged by her long time boy friend, Tunde Demuren.

However upon return from her vacation, Toolz confessed on her radio show: “I don’t know how to be a wife, please I’m appealing to you all, whoever has a handbook on being a wife, I wouldn’t mind having it”, she said.

 

Although she eventually said it was a joke, but her comment has left tongues wagging thereafter. Many are curious if she can truly discharge her duty as a wife properly, when she is eventually married.

Tolu Oniru, popularly known as Toolz, is a Nigerian radio personality, talk show host, and presenter. She is best known for hosting The Midday Show on The Beat 99.9 FM.

Culled from e-nigeria

How Former Nigeria’s Police IG, Aliu Atta Loses Daughter To Cancer

Ms Alima Atta, top PR practitioner and daughter of Nigeria’s former Inspector-General of Police, Aliu Atta is dead.

Alima, the managing director of SESEMA PR, died on Saturday 6 June of skin cancer.

A message sent to us and signed by Tampiri Irimagha-Akemu, Executive Director, Sesema Public Relations stated: “Sesema Public Relations is sad to announce the passing of our Managing Director, Alima Atta. She passed on in the early hours of Saturday 6th of June, 2015 after a brave battle with cancer. We would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to her mother, sisters, brother, nephews and nieces.”

Three years ago, Alima had a skin disorder crisis and was admitted in a hospital abroad. She appeared recovered from the crisis and even resumed to celebrate the 10th anniversary of her agency- Sesema PR. But unknowingly that she still quietly nursed the disease.

Alima, a motivational speaker (she hosted TalkBiz on Lagos urban radio station, Smooth 98.1FM) and humanist per excellence, was a fantastic Public Relations practitioner and treasurer of PRCAN until her death. She helped grow Sesema PR into a leading PR Consultancy in Nigeria, with a subsidiary in Accra, Ghana.

Her dedication to the improvement in PR practice in Nigeria has led to her receiving an award for her contributions to PR. Sesema is affiliated to Edelman, the world's leading, independent PR firm.

Shock As Abuja Landlord Ejects Buhari Over N20 million Rent

Maybe this Monday 13 February 2012 story will get those clowns feasting on President Buhari's alleged N2.1b Abuja mansion to let us rest from their untoward imagination

President Buhari

At the moment, General Muhammadu Buhari, presidential  candidate of  Congress for Progressive Change ,CPC  has no abode  in Abuja.Newsdiaryonline learnt Buhari has been ejected from what used to be known as his residence at Asokoro, Abuja because he could not afford the N20 million required to renew the rent.Even  after the rent was  reduced to N15 million, the General still could  not raise  the fund.The house he was ejected from is located at number 11, Queen  Elizabeth street ,Asokoro.

Investigations revealed that associates  of Buhari made efforts  to convince him to reach out to Umaru Almakura, Nassarawa state governor( who was elected on the platform of CPC ) so that he could offset the rent but Buhari refused to ask the governor for assistance.He would rather maintain his integrity than have the governor spend money on him.The CPC flagbearer  chose to move his property to Kaduna as soon as it was evident he  could not raise the money on his own.

- See more at: http://newsdiaryonline.com/gen_ejected.htm#sthash.wdJq1RtH.WXydUHmt.dpufAt the moment, General Muhammadu Buhari, presidential  candidate of  Congress for Progressive Change ,CPC  has no abode  in Abuja.Newsdiaryonline learnt Buhari has been ejected from what used to be known as his residence at Asokoro, Abuja because he could not afford the N20 million required to renew the rent.Even  after the rent was  reduced to N15 million, the General still could  not raise the fund. 

 

At the moment, General Muhammadu Buhari, presidential  candidate of  Congress for Progressive Change ,CPC  has no abode  in Abuja.Newsdiaryonline learnt Buhari has been ejected from what used to be known as his residence at Asokoro, Abuja because he could not afford the N20 million required to renew the rent.Even  after the rent was  reduced to N15 million, the General still could  not raise  the fund.

 The house he was ejected from is located at number 11, Queen  Elizabeth street, Asokoro.

Investigations revealed that associates  of Buhari made efforts  to convince him to reach out to Umaru Almakura, Nassarawa state governor (who was elected on the platform of CPC) so that he could offset the rent but Buhari refused to ask the governor for assistance.He would rather maintain his integrity than have the governor spend money on him.The CPC flagbearer  chose to move his property to Kaduna as soon as it was evident he  could not raise the money on his own.

 Newsdiaryonline learnt that some of Buhari’s associates who wanted to avoid his ejection actually reached out  to the owner   of the property .And the landlord even agreed to slash the rent to N15million for the sake of the General  .Sadly, he could not pay and he accepted the option of moving his property to Kaduna .Buhari is believed to have made up his mind to put up somewhere he can afford whenever  he has something to do in Abuja henceforth.

But more interesting revelations unfolded upon further enquiry. Newsdiaryonline learnt even the two- year  rent which  became due for renewal was paid for by yet another retired senior military colleague.”I can tell you that it was General Theophilus Danjuma that even paid the initial  rent for Buhari for him to move into that accommodation,”a source said in Abuja.

Initially,some observers  felt all Buhari needed to do was just to let the presidency know about his predicament and help could come easily.But the General apparently  didn’t think like that.Of course,it is understandable.His party ,CPC challenged the election of President Goodluck Jonathan until the Supreme Court recently affirmed Jonathan’s victory. 

 

N20 million rent Newsdiaryonline   Mon Feb 13,2012

Gen Buhari

At the moment, General Muhammadu Buhari, presidential  candidate of  Congress for Progressive Change ,CPC  has no abode  in Abuja.Newsdiaryonline learnt Buhari has been ejected from what used to be known as his residence at Asokoro, Abuja because he could not afford the N20 million required to renew the rent.Even  after the rent was  reduced to N15 million, the General still could  not raise  the fund.The house he was ejected from is located at number 11, Queen  Elizabeth street ,Asokoro.

Investigations revealed that associates  of Buhari made efforts  to convince him to reach out to Umaru Almakura, Nassarawa state governor( who was elected on the platform of CPC ) so that he could offset the rent but Buhari refused to ask the governor for assistance.He would rather maintain his integrity than have the governor spend money on him.The CPC flagbearer  chose to move his property to Kaduna as soon as it was evident he  could not raise the money on his own.

Newsdiaryonline learnt that some of Buhari’s associates who wanted to avoid his ejection actually reached out  to the owner   of the property .And the landlord even agreed to slash the rent to N15million for the sake of the General  .Sadly, he could not pay and he accepted the option of moving his property to Kaduna .Buhari is believed to have made up his mind to put up somewhere he can afford whenever  he has something to do in Abuja henceforth.

But more interesting revelations unfolded upon further enquiry.Newsdiaryonline learnt even the two- year  rent which  became due for renewal was paid for by yet another retired senior military colleague.”I can tell you that it was General Theophilus Danjuma that even paid the initial  rent for Buhari for him to move into that accommodation,”a source said in Abuja.

Initially,some observers  felt all Buhari needed to do was just to let the presidency know about his predicament and help could come easily.But the General apparently  didn’t think like that.Of course,it is understandable.His party ,CPC challenged the election of President Goodluck Jonathan until the Supreme Court recently affirmed Jonathan’s victory.

- See more at: http://newsdiaryonline.com/gen_ejected.htm#sthash.wdJq1RtH.WXydUHmt.dpuf

N20 million rent Newsdiaryonline   Mon Feb 13,2012

Gen Buhari

At the moment, General Muhammadu Buhari, presidential  candidate of  Congress for Progressive Change ,CPC  has no abode  in Abuja.Newsdiaryonline learnt Buhari has been ejected from what used to be known as his residence at Asokoro, Abuja because he could not afford the N20 million required to renew the rent.Even  after the rent was  reduced to N15 million, the General still could  not raise  the fund.The house he was ejected from is located at number 11, Queen  Elizabeth street ,Asokoro.

Investigations revealed that associates  of Buhari made efforts  to convince him to reach out to Umaru Almakura, Nassarawa state governor( who was elected on the platform of CPC ) so that he could offset the rent but Buhari refused to ask the governor for assistance.He would rather maintain his integrity than have the governor spend money on him.The CPC flagbearer  chose to move his property to Kaduna as soon as it was evident he  could not raise the money on his own.

Newsdiaryonline learnt that some of Buhari’s associates who wanted to avoid his ejection actually reached out  to the owner   of the property .And the landlord even agreed to slash the rent to N15million for the sake of the General  .Sadly, he could not pay and he accepted the option of moving his property to Kaduna .Buhari is believed to have made up his mind to put up somewhere he can afford whenever  he has something to do in Abuja henceforth.

But more interesting revelations unfolded upon further enquiry.Newsdiaryonline learnt even the two- year  rent which  became due for renewal was paid for by yet another retired senior military colleague.”I can tell you that it was General Theophilus Danjuma that even paid the initial  rent for Buhari for him to move into that accommodation,”a source said in Abuja.

Initially,some observers  felt all Buhari needed to do was just to let the presidency know about his predicament and help could come easily.But the General apparently  didn’t think like that.Of course,it is understandable.His party ,CPC challenged the election of President Goodluck Jonathan until the Supreme Court recently affirmed Jonathan’s victory.

- See more at: http://newsdiaryonline.com/gen_ejected.htm#sthash.wdJq1RtH.WXydUHmt.dpuf

Ayodele Fayose On Okada To Inaugurate Ekiti Assembly

Controversial Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose loves drama.

The guy on Friday afternoon hiked a bike popularly called Okada on his way to the inauguration of the fifth assembly.

Please help describe this man!

Pastor Paul Adefarasin & Wife, Ifeanyi Celebrate 20th Wedding Anniversary

Paul & Ifeanyi Adefaransin with their children

Pastors Paul & Ifeanyi got married on 3 June 1995. The couple have been happily married for 20 years and blessed with three gorgeous-looking children; Hilda Adebola, Alvin Adegboyega and Alexander Adekunle. The awe-struck couple could surely pass for newlyweds!

House on the Rock church members share the joyous moment with their mentors by sharing a cute collage photo of them with some inspiring words.




“Happy 20th Wedding anniversary Pastor Paul and Pastor Ifeanyi Adefarasin!
Every single day, you model to us through your living, and not just teachings, what a Godly home is. Truly, the love shared between you mirrors that between our Christ and His church. Your marriage is an example and a testimony to us all. Your team-work, patience, trust, unflinching support and total devotion to each other, an inspiration. Indeed we are proud to call you our Pastor and First Lady!
May your home continue to be filled with God’s peace, and your love and union grow deeper and better, as the finest vintage with the passing of time. We love you!”

Congratulations to the Adefarasins.