Conor McGregor was the top athlete of 2021 in earnings as Forbes reports that the former UFC double champion earned $180 million in the last 12 months.
It is worthy to note that McGregor’s only fight in the last 12 months was a loss to Dustin Poirier in Dubai this past January. Yet, the report is that McGregor drew $180 million mainly from earnings outside the Octagon and topping the top 10 list published by Forbes this week.
McGregor sold a majority stake of his popular Proper No. Twelve whiskey brand for a reported $150 million. Football stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo came in second and third. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott came in fourth.
According to Forbes, McGregor earned $22 million in the Octagon in the last 12 months while earning an additional $158 million in endorsements. His list of partners includes DraftKings, the video game Dystopia: Contest of Heroes (which he advertised during UFC fight week this past January) and a new collaboration with Roots of Fight.
Payout Perspective:
Despite run-ins with the law, McGregor’s brand is still huge and it does not look that sponsors are shying away from the former champ. One might expect him on this list next year as his return in July in Las Vegas will be another huge event.
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