Giannis Antetokounmpo is fifth highest-paid athlete in the world / News - Basketnews.com

LeBron James ranks fourth, Giannis Antetokounmpo sits fifth, and Stephen Curry holds the ninth spot on Forbes' list of the highest-paid athletes.

Credit: Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix Credit Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo stands as the 5th highest-paid athlete in the world, with $111M in total earnings over the past year, according to Justin Birnbaum of Forbes.

2-pointers this season

57%29,0Points made:29,0Accuracy:57,2%Place in standings:17Record max:44Record min:15Most made 2FGs:Giannis AntetokounmpoTeamNBAStatisticsSchedule

His salary is $46M, while his endorsements are $65M. Among Giannis' prestigious endorsements are collaborations with renowned brands such as Nike, Google, Disney, JBL, WhatsApp, and more.

Antetokounmpo also launched a production company in January. In February, he further solidified his business portfolio by partnering with Pepsi's Starry soft drink. Additionally, fans can anticipate the release of his sixth signature sneaker with Nike later this year.

Despite his exceptional performance on the court during the recent NBA regular season, which saw him averaging 30.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists, Antetokounmpo's journey was cut short by a calf injury, leading to his team's early playoff exit in the first round.

Credit Michael Reaves/Getty Images North America/Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix

Meanwhile, 39-year-old LeBron James earned $128.2M during the past 12 months from the Los Angeles Lakers and his expanding off-court empire, according to Forbes. It's the highest tally of his two-decade career and more than any other basketball player on the planet.

In January, James inked a partnership with DraftKings and ventured into the world of golf by investing in PGA Tour Enterprises, joining a cohort of celebrities delving into the sport.

Another NBA superstar making waves beyond the hardwood is Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors. Curry's foresight led him to secure a lucrative deal with Under Armour, ensuring financial stability well into retirement. The deal includes $75 million in stock, vesting in equal installments between 2029 and 2034.

This year marks a historic milestone: all ten sports celebrities featured in Forbes' annual ranking have crossed the $100 million mark individually, culminating in record-breaking combined earnings of $1.38 billion.

Top 10 highest-paid athletes in the world (via Forbes):

Athlete Sport Total earnings Cristiano Ronaldo Soccer $260M Jon Rahm Golf $218M Lionel Messi Soccer $135M LeBron James Basketball $128.2M Giannis Antetokounmpo Basketball $111M Kylian Mbappe Soccer $110M Neymar Soccer $108M Karim Benzema Soccer $106M Stephen Curry Basketball $102M Lamar Jackson American football $100.5M

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