No. 4 LeBron James

Forbes.com: World's Highest-Paid Athletes

Total earnings: $53 million
Salary/winnings: $13 million
Endorsements: $40 million

King James won the NBA's MVP award for the 2011-12 season and became just the eighth player to win at least three MVPs during his career. James is the NBA's biggest endorsement star, thanks to deals with Nike, McDonald's, Coca-Cola, State Farm and others. In March, he signed a deal to promote Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin Robbins in Asia. It was his first big endorsement deal since he partnered with Fenway Sports Management to oversee his marketing career in 2011. (Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

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No. 10 Peyton Ma... Total earnings: $42.4 million
Salary/winnings: $32.4 million
Endorsements: $10 million

The Indianapolis Colts released Manning in March, 2012 after he missed the 2011 season recovering from neck surgery. The four-time NFL MVP landed in Denver with a five-year, $96 million contract that requires him to pass an annual physical in order to get paid. Manning is the NFL's top product endorser, earning $10 million annually off the field from companies like Reebok, Sony, Wheaties, DirecTV, Gatorade and Papa John's. (AP Photo)

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No. 9 Cristiano ... Total earnings: $42.5 million
Salary/winnings: $20.5 million
Endorsements: $22 million

Ronaldo has the highest soccer salary in any league at $20 million annually, including bonuses. But he earns even more off the pitch, thanks to deals with Nike, Castrol, Konami and others. He became the first player in La Liga history to score 40 goals in two diffrent seasons in 2012. The Portuguese winger has more Facebook fans than any other athlete in the world. (AFP/Getty Images)

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No. 8 David Beck... Total earnings: $46 million
Salary/winnings: $9 million
Endorsements: $37 million

Beckham re-signed with the Los Angeles Galaxy of MLS in January for two years in what is likely to be the last player contract for the 37-year-old. But Beckham shows no sign of slowing down off the pitch. Recent additions to his endorsement portfolio include Burger King, Sainsbury's and Samsung. Sponsors are eager for a piece of Beckham, especially after he was named one of the ambassadors of the 2012 London Olympics. He also launched his Bodywear line in 2012 with H&M as a partner. Beckham plans to exercise his option to buy an MLS franchise at a discount when his playing career is finished. (AP Photo)
No. 7 Phil Micke... Total earnings: $47.8 million
Salary/winnings: $4.8 million
Endorsements: $43 million

Mickelson was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in May, reflecting a stellar career that includes 40 PGA victories (ninth all-time), $66 million in career prize money (second all-time) and four major titles (second-most during the past 20 years). Mickelson earns more than $30 million annually from endorsement partners: Callaway, Barclay's, KPMG, Exxon, Rolex and Amgen/Pfizer. He picked up a deal to promote psoriatic arthritis drug Enbrel after he was diagnosed with the disease in 2010 and used the drug for his treatment. (Getty Images)

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The Richest Owners In Sports
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No. 6 Kobe Bryan... Total earnings: $52.3 million
Salary/winnings: $20.3 million
Endorsements: $32 million

Bryant had the highest salary in the NBA for the second straight year during the 2011-12 season. His $25.2 million salary was shaved by almost $5 million as the NBA lockout reduced the number of games by 20%. Bryant's net worth took a hit when he and his wife, Vanessa, announced plans to divorce in December. Vanessa took possession of the couple's three mansions in Newport Beach, Calif. that are worth a combined $18.8 million, according to property records. Bryant's 14 All-Star game selections are the third most all-time among NBA players. (AP Photo)

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No. 5 Roger Fede... Total earnings: $52.7 million
Salary/winnings: $7.7 million
Endorsements: $45 million

Federer has the most impressive endorsement portfolio in sports, with nine sponsors that collectively pay him more than $30 million annually, including long-term deals with Nike, Rolex, Wilson and Credit Suisse. He also commands more than $1 million per exhibition event. Federer is widely perceived as the greatest tennis player ever. He holds the records for most singles Grand Slam wins (16) and career prize money ($71 million). He appeared in a staggering 18 out of 19 Grand Slam finals between 2005 and 2010. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

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No. 4 LeBron Jam... Total earnings: $53 million
Salary/winnings: $13 million
Endorsements: $40 million

King James won the NBA's MVP award for the 2011-12 season and became just the eighth player to win at least three MVPs during his career. James is the NBA's biggest endorsement star, thanks to deals with Nike, McDonald's, Coca-Cola, State Farm and others. In March, he signed a deal to promote Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin Robbins in Asia. It was his first big endorsement deal since he partnered with Fenway Sports Management to oversee his marketing career in 2011. (Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

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The Richest Owners In Sports
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No. 3 Tiger Wood... Total earnings: $59.4 million
Salary/winnings: $4.4 million
Endorsements: $55 million

Tiger Woods broke a 30-month winless streak on the PGA Tour when he won the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March. His income is down, as sponsors like Tag Heuer and Gillette failed to renew their endorsement deals with Woods. His golf course-design business is also on the ropes. But Woods remains one of the world's highest-paid athletes, thanks to his Nike deal. He has won more than $100 million in prize money worldwide during his career. (Getty Images)

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No. 2 Manny Pacq... Total earnings: $62 million
Salary/winnings: $56 million
Endorsements: $6 million

Pacquiao was on the wrong end of a wildly controversial split decision in his June bout against Tim Bradley, his first loss in seven years. Pacquiao has become a pay-per-view stud, with five fights each generating at least one million PPV buys during the past four years. Pacman has expanded his endorsement reach by signing deals with Monster Energy and Hennessy. His longtime partners include Nike and Hewlett-Packard. (AP Photo)

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The Richest Owners In Sports
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No. 1 Floyd Mayw... Total earnings: $85 million
Salary/winnings: $85 million
Endorsements: $0

“Money” Mayweather is the world’s highest-paid athlete, thanks to mega paydays for fights against Victor Ortiz ($40 million) and Miguel Cotto ($45 million). He has been a part of the four biggest non-heavyweight pay-per-view events in boxing's history. Mayweather maximizes his earnings by also acting as his own fight promoter through his company Mayweather Promotions. (Frederic J.Brown/AFP/Getty Images)

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The Richest Owners In Sports
The World’s Most Powerful Athletes
The Richest Sporting Events In The World

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