Today (March 31), Forbes magazine released the 2015 retirement athlete income list, the top 10 highest-grossing athletes occupied 9 seats by American athletes, of which 4 athletes have played in the NBA, namely Michael Jordan, Brigman, "Shark" O'Neal and "Magic" Johnson. NBA legend Michael Jordan topped the list with $110 million in total annual revenue. Li Na, a retired Chinese tennis player, ranked 14th, is the only Asian and the only woman in the top 14, earning $14 million in 2015.
The list of the top ten highest-paid retired athletes is as follows:
1. Michael Jordan (basketball), gross $110 million 2. David Beckham (soccer), gross revenue $65 million 3. Arnold Palmer (Golf), gross revenue of $40 million 4. Brigitman Junior Bridgeman (basketball), gross $32 million 5. Jerry Richardson (American Football), gross $30 million Jack Nicklaus (Golf), gross $26 million 7. Shaquille O'Neal (basketball), gross $22 million 8. Roger Penske (Racing), gross $20 million 9. Gary Player (Golf), gross revenue $19 million 10. Magic Johnson (basketball), gross $18 million
Flyer Jordan's revenue last year was almost twice that of the second Xiaobei, such a staggering figure thanks to the success of the Nike Jordan brand, 2015 coincided with the 30th anniversary of the Jordan brand, under the stimulation of many classic shoe re-release replicas, in the US market alone, last year's Jordan brand sales increased by 14%, Flyer from the Jordan brand to obtain copyright revenue reached 100 million US dollars. Nike also hopes to double the Jordan brand's revenue again in 2020. In addition, Jordan has a lot of endorsement revenue, including Hanes, Gatorade, Upper Deck and Five Star Fragrances. Forbes predicts that Jordan will still make a fortune in 2016, and he will make $30 million more than any athlete, whether active or retired.
"Mega Man" Xiaobei ranked second with a revenue of $65 million, but compared with the previous year's figures, Beckham's income shrank by a full $10 million, and his income in 2014 was only second after Jordan, but at that time, it was $75 million. However, the same as in 2014, a significant part of Xiaobei's revenue comes from the Chinese market, in 2014 it was the endorsement revenue from Jaguar China, Shenzhou Car Rental and Sands China, as well as the revenue of the whisky brand Diageo in the Chinese market, and in 2015, it came from Luneng Group, Xiaobei is luneng's image ambassador, and Luneng has to pay Xiaobei $5 million in endorsement fees every year. In addition, Xiaobei also announced last year that it will join the global development business of British menswear brand Kent & Curwen in the next 5 years, and Xiaobei can earn $8 million in revenue from this contract every year.
Arnold Palmer, the third-ranked former U.S. golf star, is 86 years old, and he can be regarded as one of the "fixed teams" of Forbes' retired player income list, but compared with the income of $42 million in 2014, although the elderly's ranking has risen by one place, but the income has decreased by $2 million, along with Palmer's health. But in 2015, Palmer's brand performed well in the Asian market, and his eponymous drink last year accounted for a quarter of Arizona Beverage Co.'s total product sales, in addition to many advertising endorsement contracts for high-value luxury goods.
Li Na, a Chinese tennis player who retired in 2014, earned $14 million last year. Forbes magazine commented on it: "As the greatest tennis player ever in China, Li Na has become a living legend. After suddenly announcing her retirement two years ago, Li still works with most of her previous sponsors. Reality TV shows are popular in China, and Li Na participated in the recording of similar shows last year. ”
At the same time, Li Na also holds a number of brand endorsement contracts, and after retiring, 6 new ones have been added, and the head of Li Na's brokerage company, IMG China, once said: "Li Na's sponsors sign at least 3 years, and the starting price is not less than 8 million per year." She has also signed to the Australian Open, Zhuhai Tennis Classic and WTA Singapore Finals as a promotional ambassador for these events.
Forbes senior editor Badenhausen said: "Tennis happens to be a sport where women can match male players in terms of income, and Li Na is the best example. She was in the right market at the right time, and soon after she succeeded, she signed five or six endorsement contracts, each with an annual revenue of two or three million dollars. She's like a rock star in China. ”
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