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Top 20 highest paid athletes in the world

  • <p>We begin our list with the three-time major champion, who earned $41.2 million. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) </p>
    1/20

    20. Jordan Spieth

    We begin our list with the three-time major champion, who earned $41.2 million. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

  • <p>The five-time major champion earned $41.3 million. </p>
    2/20

    19. Phil Mickelson

    The five-time major champion earned $41.3 million.

  • <p>The winner of 17 Grand Slam singles titles earned $41.4 million. </p>
    3/20

    18. Rafael Nadal

    The winner of 17 Grand Slam singles titles earned $41.4 million.

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  • <p>The F1 racer earned $42.3 million. </p>
    4/20

    17. Leader Vettel

    The F1 racer earned $42.3 million.

  • <p>The New Orleans Saints’ star earned $42.9 million. </p>
    5/20

    16. Drew Brees

    The New Orleans Saints’ star earned $42.9 million.

  • <p>The 14-time major championship winner earned $43.3 million. </p>
    6/20

    15. Tiger Woods

    The 14-time major championship winner earned $43.3 million.

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  • <p>The reigning NBA MVP earned $46.4 million. </p>
    7/20

    14. James Harden

    The reigning NBA MVP earned $46.4 million.

  • <p>The Oklahoma City Thunder star earned 47.5 million. </p>
    8/20

    13. Russell Westbrook

    The Oklahoma City Thunder star earned 47.5 million.

  • <p>The Formula One drive, who races for Mercedes, earned $51 million. </p>
    9/20

    12. Lewis Hamilton

    The Formula One drive, who races for Mercedes, earned $51 million.

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  • <p>The two-time NBA Finals MVP earned $53.7 million. </p>
    10/20

    11. Kevin Durant

    The two-time NBA Finals MVP earned $53.7 million.

  • <p>The Detroit Lions quarterback earned $59.5 million. </p>
    11/20

    10. Matthew Stafford

    The Detroit Lions quarterback earned $59.5 million.

  • <p>The superstar quarterback earned $67.3 million. </p>
    12/20

    8. Matt Ryan

    The superstar quarterback earned $67.3 million.

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  • <p>The three-time NBA champion earned $76.9 million. </p>
    13/20

    8. Stephen Curry

    The three-time NBA champion earned $76.9 million.

  • <p>The No. 2-ranked player in the world earned $77.2 million. </p>
    14/20

    7. Roger Federer

    The No. 2-ranked player in the world earned $77.2 million.

  • <p>The “King” earned $88.5 million. </p>
    15/20

    6. LeBron James

    The “King” earned $88.5 million.

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  • <p>The Brazilian star earned $90 million. </p>
    16/20

    5. Neymar Jr.

    The Brazilian star earned $90 million.

  • <p>The controversial fighter earned $99 million. </p>
    17/20

    4. Conor McGregor

    The controversial fighter earned $99 million.

  • <p>The Portuguese star earned $108 million. </p>
    18/20

    3. Cristiano Ronaldo

    The Portuguese star earned $108 million.

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  • <p>The world-class soccer player earned $111 million. </p>
    19/20

    2. Lionel Messi

    The world-class soccer player earned $111 million.

  • <p>The world-famous boxer tops the list at $285 million. </p>
    20/20

    1. Floyd Mayweather

    The world-famous boxer tops the list at $285 million.

<p>We begin our list with the three-time major champion, who earned $41.2 million. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) </p>
<p>The five-time major champion earned $41.3 million. </p>
<p>The winner of 17 Grand Slam singles titles earned $41.4 million. </p>
<p>The F1 racer earned $42.3 million. </p>
<p>The New Orleans Saints’ star earned $42.9 million. </p>
<p>The 14-time major championship winner earned $43.3 million. </p>
<p>The reigning NBA MVP earned $46.4 million. </p>
<p>The Oklahoma City Thunder star earned 47.5 million. </p>
<p>The Formula One drive, who races for Mercedes, earned $51 million. </p>
<p>The two-time NBA Finals MVP earned $53.7 million. </p>
<p>The Detroit Lions quarterback earned $59.5 million. </p>
<p>The superstar quarterback earned $67.3 million. </p>
<p>The three-time NBA champion earned $76.9 million. </p>
<p>The No. 2-ranked player in the world earned $77.2 million. </p>
<p>The “King” earned $88.5 million. </p>
<p>The Brazilian star earned $90 million. </p>
<p>The controversial fighter earned $99 million. </p>
<p>The Portuguese star earned $108 million. </p>
<p>The world-class soccer player earned $111 million. </p>
<p>The world-famous boxer tops the list at $285 million. </p>
Yahoo Sports Staff

Floyd Mayweather has returned to the top of the list of the highest earners in sport following his lucrative fight with Conor McGregor.

The 2017 boxing clash between was one of the most-watched and talked about sporting event in years, helping Mayweather and McGregor crack the top four in Forbes’ list of the highest paid athletes. Click here to read more.

The list ranks superstars around the globe using their pretax earnings from June 1, 2017 through June 1, 2018.