McGregor moves upon annual list of highest paid athletes

Conor McGregor landed on this year’s Forbes Highest Paid Athletes.  It’s a step up from last year’s earnings of $22 million as McGregor registers in with a reported $34 million.

McGregor’s pay of $27 million plus an additional $7 million in endorsements.  McGregor fought three times in 2016 which averages $9 million per fight.  His earnings was enough for 24^th on the list.

In boxing Canelo Alvarez and Anthony Joshua made the list. At 43, Alvarez made $28.5 million ($27M fights, $1.5M endorsements) At 88, Joshua made $22 million ($18.5M fights $3.5M endorsements).

Cristiano Ronaldo topped the list again with $93M total.  The soccer star made $58M in salary and $35M in endorsements.  LeBron James was second with $86.2M total, $31.2 salary and $55M in endorsements.

Payout Perspective:

Impressive ascension on the list for McGregor as he made more in 2016 than Canelo.  While Alvarez fought twice and Conor fought three times, I assumed that Canelo would have made more overall and would have cleaned up in endorsements.  Yet, with only $1.5 million in endorsements, Anthony Joshua’s healthy stable of endorsements is better than Canelo.  The $7 million for McGregor is a testament’s to Conor’s ability to market himself as a viable brand.