In 2014, athletes brought in endorsement earnings like never before. Players moved up and down from our list of 2013’s highest-paid athlete endorsers, and some were able to crack the list for the first time. In this post we will rank the top 75 highest-paid athlete endorsers, examine their deals, and display their opendorse value.
CLICK HERE to see the Top 100 Highest-Paid Athlete Endorsers of 2015
75. Dirk Nowitzki | NBA | Dallas Mavericks
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $500k
opendorse Value: $4.9k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Panini, Nike
74. Brandon Marshall | NFL | Chicago Bears
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $700k
opendorse Value: $1.1k per tweet
Current Endorsements: T-Mobile
73. Rudy Gay | NBA | Sacramento Kings
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $700k
opendorse Value: $4k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Nike
72: Ryan Howard | MLB | Philadelphia Phillies
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $700k
opendorse Value: $800 per tweet
Current Endorsements: New Balance, Subway
71: Henrik Lundqvist | NHL | New York Rangers
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $700k
opendorse Value: $1.4k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Samsung, Procter & Gamble, Pfizer, Bauer
70. Matt Kemp | MLB | San Diego Padres
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $800k
opendorse Value: $2.3k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Oakley, Nike
69. Darrelle Revis | NFL | New England Patriots
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $800k
opendorse Value: $1.4k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Nike
68. Zach Parise | NHL | Minnesota Wild
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $1M
opendorse Value: not on Twitter
Current Endorsements: Under Armor, Polo Ralph Lauren, Easton
67. Sebastian Vettel | Formula 1 | Red Bull Racing
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $1M
opendorse Value: not on Twitter
Current Endorsements: Braun, Casio, Infiniti
66. Joe Johnson | NBA | Brooklyn Nets
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $1M
opendorse Value: $800 per tweet
Current Endorsements: Nike
65. CC Sabathia | MLB | New York Yankees
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $1.2M
opendorse Value: $1.4 per tweet
Current Endorsements: Delta, DirecTV, Nike, Sony
64. Franck Ribery | Bundesliga | F.C. Bayern Munich
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $1.5M
opendorse Value: not verified
Current Endorsements: Nike
63. Larry Fitzgerald | NFL | Arizona Cardinals
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $1.5M
opendorse Value: $6.5k per tweet
Current Endorsements: EAS Sports Nutrition, Lenovo, Nike, Nokia
62. Deron Williams | NBA | Brooklyn Nets
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $1.5M
opendorse Value: $2.8k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Red Bull, Nike
61. Saul Alvarez | Boxer
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $1.5M
opendorse Value: not on Twitter
Current Endorsements: Corona, Everlast, Under Armour
60. Matthew Stafford | NFL | Detroit Lions
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $1.5M
opendorse Value: not on Twitter
Current Endorsements: Upper Deck, Nike, PepsiCo
59. Joe Mauer | MLB | Minnesota Twins
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $1.8M
opendorse Value: not on Twitter
Current Endorsements: Rawlings, Nike
58. Matt Ryan | NFL | Atlanta Falcons
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $1.8M
opendorse Value: $700 per tweet
Current Endorsements: Comcast, Nike
57: Albert Pujols | MLB | Los Angeles Angels
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $2M
opendorse Value: $600 per tweet
Current Endorsements: Nike
56: Miguel Cabera | MLB | Detroit Tigers
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $2M
opendorse Value: $2.6k per tweet
Current Endorsements: New Balance, Chrysler, Sony
55. Fernando Alonso | Formula 1 | Scuderia Ferrari
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $2M
opendorse Value: $7.8k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Oakley
54. Yaya Touré | Premier League | Manchester City F.C.
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $2.5M
opendorse Value: $550 per tweet
Current Endorsements: Puma
53. Pau Gasol | NBA | Chicago Bulls
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $2.5M
opendorse Value: $10.8k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Grupos Banco Popular, Nike
52. Chris Bosh | NBA | Miami Heat
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $2.5M
opendorse Value: $7.2k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Nike
51. Robin van Persie | Premier League | Manchester United F.C.
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $3M
opendorse Value: $59k per tweet
Current Endorsements: adidas, PepsiCo
50. Lewis Hamilton | Formula 1 | Mercedes
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $3M
opendorse Value: $14.2k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Bombardier
49. Radamel Falcao | Premier League | Manchester United F.C.
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $3M
opendorse Value: $45.2k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Puma, Gillette, Samsung
48. Henrik Stenson | PGA Tour
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $3.2M
opendorse Value: $14.2k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Titlest, Audemaus, Piglet, Footjoy, Callaway, Mutual of Omaha
47. Fernando Torres | La Liga | Atletico Madrid
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $3.5M
opendorse Value: $9.3k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Nike, PepsiCo
46. Robinson Cano | MLB | Seattle Mariners
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $3.5M
opendorse Value: $1.6k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Wilson, DirecTV, Topps, Panini, Nike, PepsiCo
45. Luis Suarez | La Liga | F.C. Barcelona
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $4M
opendorse Value: $14k per tweet
Current Endorsements: adidas, PepsiCo
44. Wladmir Klitschko | Boxing
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $4M
opendorse Value: not on Twitter
Current Endorsements: T-Mobile
43. Zlatan Ibrahmovic | Ligue 1 | Paris Saint-Germain F.C.
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $4M
opendorse Value: $7.1k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Nike, Volvo
42. Alex Ovechkin | NHL | Washington Capitals
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $4M
opendorse Value: $4.4k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Nike, Bauer, Gillette, Upper Deck, Coca-Cola
41. Sidney Crosby | NHL | Pittsburgh Penguins
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $4.5M
opendorse Value: not on Twitter
Current Endorsements: Reebok, Gatorade, Tim Horton’s, Sport Chek
40. Russell Westbrook | NBA | Oklahoma City Thunder
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $4.5M
opendorse Value: $7.6k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Zenith, Nike, Subway
39. Jeff Gordon | NASCAR Sprint Cup Series | Hendrick Motorsports
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $5M
opendorse Value: $2.1k per tweet
Current Endorsements: PepsiCo, GM
38. David Ortiz | MLB | Boston Red Sox
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $5M
opendorse Value: $3.7k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Dunkin’ Brands, Panini, New Balance, Samsung, Sony
37. Sergio Aguero | Premier League | Manchester City F.C.
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $5M
opendorse Value: $63k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Puma, Gillette, PepsiCo
36. Wayne Rooney | Premier League | Manchester United F.C.
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $5M
opendorse Value: $94k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Nike, Samsung
35. Dwight Howard | NBA | Houston Rockets
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $5M
opendorse Value: $19.2k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Gatorade, Adidas
34. Amar’e Stoudemire | NBA | Dallas Mavericks
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $5M
opendorse Value: $3.5k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Zico, Nike
33. Steven Gerrard | Premier League | Liverpool F.C.
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $4.4M
opendorse Value: not on Twitter
Current Endorsements: adidas, Mars
32. Chris Paul | NBA | Los Angeles Clippers
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $5.5M
opendorse Value: $13.3k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Avon, Nike, State Farm
31. Mesut Özil | German National Football Team | Arsenal F.C.
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $6M
opendorse Value: $47.8k per tweet
Current Endorsements: adidas
30. Blake Griffin | NBA | Los Angeles Clippers
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $6.5M
opendorse Value: $10.3k per tweet
Current Endorsements: PowerBar, Kia, Nike, Subway, Vizio
29. Jimmie Johnson | NASCAR Sprint Cup Series | Hendrick Motorsports
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $6.5M
opendorse Value: $2.1k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Gatorade, Tylenol, Chevrolet
28. Eli Manning | NFL | New York Giants
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $7.5M
opendorse Value: not on Twitter
Current Endorsements: Dunkin’ Brands, Gatorade, DirecTV, Samsung, Toyota
27. Aaron Rodgers | NFL | Green Bay Packers
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $7.5M
opendorse Value: $4.8k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Associated Bank, Ford, Nike, State Farm
26. Carmelo Anthony | NBA | New York Knicks
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $8M
opendorse Value: $20.5k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Foot Locker, Nike
25. Adam Scott
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $9M
opendorse Value: not on Twitter
Current Endorsements: Titleist, Uniqlo, Mercedes-Benz, Rolex
24. Derek Jeter | MLB | New York Yankees
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $9M
opendorse Value: not on Twitter
Current Endorsements: Nike, Gatorade, Movado, Avon, Rawlings, 24 Hour Fitness
23. Drew Brees | NFL | New Orleans Saints
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $11M
opendorse Value: $7.2k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Microsoft, Nike, Wrangler, PepsiCo, Proctor & Gamble
22. Serena Williams | WTA
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $11M
opendorse Value: $14.9k
Current Endorsements: Gatorade, Wilson, Nike
21. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. | NASCAR Sprint Car Cup Series | Hendrick Motorsports
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $11M
opendorse Value: $7k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Wrangler, Nationwide, Chevrolet
20. Dwayne Wade |NBA | Miami Heat
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $11M
opendorse Value: $16k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Dove, Hublot, Li-Ning
19. Gareth Bale | La Liga | Real Madrid
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $11M
opendorse Value: $30.3k per tweet
Current Endorsements: adidas, EA Sports
18. Peyton Manning | NFL | Denver Broncos
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $12M
opendorse Value: not on Twitter
Current Endorsements: Nationwide, Papa John’s, Gatorade, DirecTV, Buick
17. Kevin Durant | NBA | Oklahoma City Thunder
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $14M
opendorse Value: $80k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Nike, Sprint, Panini, BBVA, 2K Sports
16. Neymar | La Liga | Futball Club Barcelona
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $16M
opendorse Value: $143.6k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Nike, Banco, Santander, Unilever, NV, Volkswagen
15. Li Na | WTP
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $18M
opendorse Value: not on Twitter
Current Endorsements: Rolex, Nike, Mercedes-Benz, Samsung
14. Derrick Rose | NBA | Chicago Bulls
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $19M
opendorse Value: $9.1k per tweet
Current Endorsements: adidas, Skullcandy, Wilson, Powerade
13. Rory McIlroy | PGA Tour
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $20M
opendorse Value: $7.5k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Nike, Omega, Bose, Banco Santander
12. Novak Djokovic | ATP World Tour
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $21M
opendorse Value: $13.3k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Seiko, Uniqlo, Head, adidas, Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot
11. Maria Sharpova | WTA
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $22M
opendorse Value: $4.8k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Avon, Nike, Samsung, Tag Heuer, Evian, Head
10. Usian Bolt | Racers Track Club
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $23M
opendorse Value: $12.1k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Puma, Gatorade, Hublot, Nissan
9. Lionel Messi | La Liga | Futball Club Barcelona
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $43M
opendorse Value: not on Twitter
Current Endorsements: adidas, PepsiCo, EA Sports, Turkish Airlines, Gillettee
8. Mahendra Singh Dhoni | ODI | India
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $26M
opendorse Value: 11.2k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Pepsi, Reebok
7. Christiano Ronaldo | La Riga | Real Madrid
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $28M
opendorse Value: $303.9k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Nike, Toyota, Samsung, Tag Heuer, Herbalife, Emirates
6. Rafael Nadal |ATP
2014 Endorsement Earning: $30M
opendorse Value: 26k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Nike, Kia, Babolat
5. Kobe Bryant | NBA | Los Angeles Lakers
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $32M
opendorse Value: $22.3k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Nike, Panini, Lenovo, Turkish Airlines
4. Phil Mickelson | PGA Tour
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $48M
opendorse Value: not on Twitter
Current Endorsements: Callaway, KPMG, Rolex, ExxonMobil, Amgen, Barclays
3. Roger Federer | ATP
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $52M
opendorse Value: $8.9k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Rolex, Credit Suisse, Wilson, Gillette, Nike, Mercedes-Benz
2. LeBron James | NBA | Cleveland Cavaliers
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $53M
opendorse Value: $126.2k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Nike, Upper Deck, McDonald’s, Samsung, Dunkin’ Brands, Coco-Cola, Beats by Dre
1. Tiger Woods | PGA Tour
2014 Endorsement Earnings: $55M
opendorse Value: $12.6k per tweet
Current Endorsements: Nike, Rolex, Upper Deck, NetJet
This list of 75 athletes landed big endorsement deals in 2014. As brands begin to include a social media component in their contracts with athletes, opendorse is here to provide the research and measurement behind those activations. If you’re a marketer looking for a smarter, better, faster endorsement solution, then signing up for opendorse is the answer. Get started today!