Biggest Athlete Endorsement Deals In Sports History

Nike and Adidas are two of the biggest and most prominent sports brands always trying to sign endorsement deals with the greatest names in major sports. Athlete endorsement deals history dates back decades ago and the first big deal was signed between american giants Nike and Michael Jordan some 30 years ago which was worth $500,000 a year fast forward 2015 and Jordan still has his endorsement deal with Nike plus his very own Nike “AirJordan” trainers series which nets him around $60 million a year.

Update: Lebron James signed the biggest Athlete endorsement deal in history with american brand Nike and it was disclosed as the life-time contract. He will be doubling his yearly income with the new deal as he will get larger share of “Lebron Shoe Series” sales.

Lebron has been with Nike since his rookie days and two contract extensions followed first was 7-year $90 million worth followed by his $30 million a year deal signed in 2010. While in december 2015 Nike and LeBron James re-negotiated the contract and added performances related clauses in his own shoe series with NIKE, which reportedly brought in $345 million revenue in 2015

Kevin Durant ditched a massive endorsement deal offer from Under Armour which was in the region of $265m to $285m and signed a contract extension with Nike who used their contract clause to match any offer some other company has to offer. Kevin Durants $300 million 10 year deal with Nike is no longer the biggest history.

Today we take a look at 10 of the biggest current endorsement deals and some lifetime deals with the likes of David Beckams Adidas, George Foreman’s Salton Inc and of course Michael Jordan and Nike deal.

15 Biggest Athlete Endorsement Deal In Sports History

NO#	ATHLETE	BRAND	YEARLY	TOTAL
1	Michael Jordan	NIKE	$60m	Share of revenue in “Nike Jordan” shoe series
2	Lebron James	NIKE	$30m	Lifetime contract ($30 million a year plus share in shoe sales
3	Kevin Durant	NIKE	$28.5m	$285m+ over 10 year deal (2014-24)
4	Cristiano Ronaldo	NIKE	$21.7m	$105m+ over 5 year deal (2014-19)
5	Lionel Messi	ADIDAS	$20m	$140m over 7 year deal
6	Tiger Woods	NIKE	$20m	$100m over 5 year deal (2013-18)
7	Kobe Bryant	NIKE	$15m	$75m over 5 year deal (2014-19)
8	Derrick Rose	ADIDAS	$14m	$185m over 13 year deal (2012-25)
9	Roger Federer	NIKE	$12m	$120m over 10 year deal (2008-17)
10	Neymar Jr	NIKE	$9.5m	$105m over 11 year deal (2012-22)
11	Rafael Nadal	NIKE	$10m	$50m over 5 years deal (2014-18)
12	Dwayne Wade	LI NIAN	$10m	$100m over 10 year deal (2012-21)
13	Damian Lillard	ADIDAS	$10m	$100m 10 year deal (2014-23)
14	Rory Mcllroy	NIKE	$10m	$100m over 10 year deal (2013-22)
15	Maria Sharapova	NIKE	$8.5m	$70m over 8 year deal (2010-17)

OTHER NOTABLE MENTIONS:

Devid Beckham was probably the first footballer from europe to take his brand name to next level, Beckham signed a $160.8 million worth Lifetime Agreement With adidas back in 2003 which kind of set to the tone for years to come. Nike has always dominated American sports and according to recent surveys NIKE controls the 95% market share of Basketball Shoes in USA and in the last decade or so they are penetrating and now almost dominating European football along with Adidas.

George Foreman former heavyweight boxer who shared the ring Muhammad Ali, signed a endorsement deal with Salton Grill company in late 90s. There was no upfront guaranteed but Foreman was suppose to get around 45% of the profit, by the time he lost his last professional fight against Shannon Briggs in 1998 he received his first check from Salton Grill worth $1 million and that was the time when he left boxing and focused on business career. By no time Salton inc sold $200 million worth of grills in USA but they decided to end endorsement contract with Foreman and paid him around $137million in cash plus stock and use of his image with the business. According to CNBC George Foreman made around $200 million with Salton inc deal which was one of the best of its kind.