RORY McILROY HAS some company from a fellow Irishman on Forbes’ latest list of the world’s 100 highest-paid athletes.
According to the American business publication, UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor has earned $22 million in the last 12 months, which makes him the 85th highest-paid athlete on the planet.
Despite bringing in nearly $9 million less than he did on the golf course last year ($16.3 million in 2015, $7.6 million in 2016), McIlroy’s endorsements with the likes of Nike, Omega, Bose and Upper Deck help to put him at 17th place on the list — sandwiched between Floyd Mayweather and Russell Wilson — with a total haul of $42.6 million.
McGregor’s place on the list is particularly noteworthy. While he often boasts of the extent of his wealth, the mixed martial arts star has never provided any specific details of his earnings. While the UFC releases disclosed salary information after its major events, ancillary payments — such as fighters’ cut of pay-per-view income — generally remain private.
The 27-year-old Dubliner joined the UFC on a standard entry-level contract ($8,000 to fight plus $8,000 to win) in April 2013. However, his value rapidly increased and he soon shot to stardom, becoming the organisation’s featherweight champion by knocking out Jose Aldo last December.
The only MMA fighter to make the list, Forbes puts McGregor’s salary/winnings at $18 million, while he also took in an additional $4 million via endorsements.
“UFC star Conor McGregor fought three times over the past 12 months, including headlining two of the three best-selling UFC fights ever on pay-per-view,” says Forbes’ profile of the fighter.
“UFC 194 where McGregor knocked out Jose Aldo in 13 seconds had 1.2 million buys. McGregor lost to Nate Diaz at UFC 196 (their rematch will be at UFC 202 in August) which sold a massive 1.5 million units. His cut of PPV revenue pushed McGregor’s earnings in the Octagon to $18 million.
“The Irishman also banked an estimated $4 million outside the Octagon through appearances and endorsement partners Reebok, Fanatics, Monster Energy, BSN, Bud Light, Rolls Royce and Electronic Arts.”
The full list, which is topped by Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, can be viewed here.
That’s pretty damn successful, well done Conor. Also, if you’re reading this, can you lend me around 50k? I’ll get you back…
Regardless of what anyone says, it’s some achievement to be on the dole 3 years ago to be worth this now, and also recovering from a knee reconstruction in between all the highlights. Unbelievable.
Fair dues to him. In the space of few years.
Im a big fan but I hope to Jaysus he changes his attitude in relation to how much he earns, he’s loaded now and set up for life, concentrate on winning fights now, you don’t hear Diaz bragging about money
So what!!! Ever heard of floyd ‘money’ Mayweather? If not he happens to be the wealthiest sportsperson today!!
Mayweather’s attitude to money is one of a number of things that make him an intensely dislikable person. Money can buy you lots of things, but it can’t buy you class.
Not true. Ronaldo made $88mln and he’s a really nice guy
Where does he pay his taxes? The states I assume. Maybe we can get some of that dole money back that he claimed for years.
He pays taxes here and in the states actually as sportspersons are not given the same advantageous position as other residents that earn outside of the country.
That money came from a US based company, so it shouldn’t matter either way.
Not if he is domiciled in Ireland, it doesn’t matter where it came from.
Ok move to malta :)
Don’t forget Roy and Robbie Keane.Last I heard Roy is worth €40 million.Id say Robbie isn’t too far behind that.
This is earnings in past year. Not net worth.
Just shows some sports earn 10 times from endorsements compared to sport earnings that mma is only starting out!
Federer is a surprise on that forbes list
Waste of money.