Being a superstar athlete sure does pay.

Top 20 All-Time Leaders in Total Salary Earned : nba

It takes hard work, natural athletic skill, a length playing career, smart management, and sometimes a little bit of luck to become a brand all yourself. How some athletes manage to parlay relatively short careers into monumental fortunes over their lifetimes, so they're still getting paydays long after they've stepped away from the spotlight of competition.

Sports might be a young man's game, but building empires favors the wizened pros.

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Some slap their names on sports drinks or absurd amounts of merch. However they do it, these ballers are the best of the best, according to Forbes. Between player contracts, endorsement deals, brand connections, and signature apparel, athletes have plenty of opportunities to bank on their popularity—but not all players reach their potential when it comes to career earnings.

Top 20 highest-paid athletes of all time

Here's a look at the highest-earning athletes of all time, according to Forbes. He's also become a brand name outside the ring, between his political aspirations and endorsement deals. Gordon has kept his brand going through TV announcing and racing team ownership, and during his career, he had deals with companies like Pepsico, Kellogg Company, Frito-Lay, and Ray-Ban. He might not be the highest-paid player in the world, but he's arguably the best one. When A-Rod signed with the Texas Rangers, it was the biggest deal in the history of the sport.

During the course of his career—or before he faced allegegations of steroid use, anyway—he had endorsement deals with the likes of Louisville Slugger, Rawlings, and PepsiCo. Between his big-money checks from winning tennis tournaments to his numerous endorsements with companies like Nike, Rolex, and Mercedes, Federer is the highest-earning tennis star ever.

And since he's arguably in his prime, that number should keep rising with his player contracts and all time money earners nba endorsement deals with companies like Nike, Emirates Airlines, Tag Heuer, Interactive brokers day trading forex, and more.

Golf is truly a lucrative all time money earners nba to be in. Shaq starred in movies during his playing days—remember Steel?

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As the most high-profile soccer player free runescape money making guide p2p the world during his playing days, Beckham signed massive contracts and, with his move to the Los Angeles Galaxy, helped make the MLS a landing spot for European players.

You might not have heard of him, but the German Formula One driver is arguably one of the single most dominant competitors at any sport in history.

Not bad for a guy from a small town in Ohio. And get the free eBook Ultimate Total-Body Fitness Secrets!

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How 'Transformers 5' is the most amazing yet. Stiller, Vaughn revisit 'Dodgeball'. The secret to gluten-free beer? Mayweather, McGregor confirm epic showdown. Athletes The 20 highest-paid athletes of all time Some guys sign massive contracts. Lionel Messi, Soccer He might not be the highest-paid player in the world, but he's arguably the best one. Greg Norman, Golf Golf is truly a lucrative business to be in. David Beckham, Soccer As the most high-profile soccer player in the world during his playing days, Beckham signed massive contracts and, with his move to the Los Angeles Galaxy, helped make the MLS a landing spot for European players.

Michael Schumacher, Racing You might not have heard of him, but the German Formula One driver is arguably one of the single most dominant competitors at any sport in history. Athletes Kevin Hart gives props Kevin Durant Ian Cohen. The Suns' grueling drill for prospects Matthew Jussim.

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