For the first time since compiling its catalog of top-paid athletes, Forbes counts nada-one woman on this year’s list.
That’s right: Serena Williams takes some time off to have a baby, and boom, it’s an all-dude bonanza, which tells you a little something about the pay disparity between male and female athletes on the whole.
Last year Williams, with $8 million in winnings and $19 million in endorsements, landed in the 51st spot on the list. For perspective, tennis player Roger Federer’s endorsements added up to about $65 million in the last year. He secured the No. 7 spot this year.
As for the top earner for 2018? That would be boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr., who netted $275 million from his 2017 match with Conor McGregor (McGregor landed at the No. 4 spot). That fight, designed as a cash grab for all involved, lasted a little more than a half-hour; if you do the math, that’s more than $7.5 million a minute.
Rounding out the rest of the top five are soccer players Lionel Messi (No. 2), Cristiano Ronaldo (No. 3) and Neymar (No. 5). LeBron James, with $85.5 million in total earnings for 2017, was only the sixth-highest-paid athlete.
Congrats to Floyd and all the other dudes, I guess.