New Delhi: After leading India to their first overseas Test win at Lord’s after 2011, Indian Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni becomes the country’s most valuable athlete, according to Forbes magazine. Dhoni is the fifth most valuable sportsperson in the world, a list jointly headed by Roger Federer and Tiger Woods.
‘Value’ is attached depending on the quantum of money they have earned from fees and endorsements in a year. As per Forbes, Federer and Woods each earned $46 million each in 2013. Dhoni earned $21 million, two million less than tennis queen Maria Sharapova at No. 4. Basketball star LeBron James ($27 million) and Phil Mickelson ($25 million) are second and third, respectively. Soccer stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are valued at $13 million each.
According to the ATP World Tour’s website, Federer’s name is so popular that it costs tournament organisers more than $1m just to get a starting guarantee from Federer’s management. His 10-year contract with Nike is reportedly worth a total of $100m.
Federer holds a record 17 Grand Slam tennis titles, while Woods has won 14 Major golf titles, second only to Jack Nicklaus’s record 18.
Here’s the top 10 most-valuable athletes in the world:
1. Roger Federer (Tennis) and Tiger Woods (Golf):$46 million
2. LeBron James (Basketball): $27 millionÂ
3. Phil Mickelson (Golf): $25 million
4. Maria Sharapova (Tennis): $23 million
5. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Cricket): $21 millionÂ
6. Usain Bolt (Track and Field): $20 millionÂ
7. Kobe Bryant (Basketball): $19 million
8. Li Na (Tennis): $15 millionÂ
9. Cristiano Ronaldo (Football): $13 million
10. Lionel Messi (Football): $13 millionÂ
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