Athletes Who Make More Money Endorsing Products Than Playing Sports

Forbes released its annual list of the world's highest paid athletes yesterday (HERE). International household names dominate the top of the list with Tiger Woods ranking first at $78.1 million in earnings last year.

We all know athletes make huge salaries playing sports, but some athletes make even more money off the field endorsing products.

David Beckham for example made most of his money modeling underwear, not playing soccer.

Usain Bolt earned 99% of his money from endorsements



Total Earnings: $24.2 million, 40th overall

Salary/Winnings: $0.2 million

Endorsements: $24 million

The track star's major endorsements include Puma, Gatorade, and Virgin Media. Bolt's Puma deal is the biggest ever given to a track athlete.

Roger Federer earned 91% of his money from endorsements



Total Earnings: $71.5 million, second overall

Salary/Winnings: $6.5 million

Endorsements: $65 million

The winner of 17 Grand Slam titles includes Gillette, Mercedes-Benz and Nike in his endorsement portfolio. He recently signed a five-year, $30 million deal with Moet & Chandon champagne.

Phil Mickelson earned 90% of his money from endorsements



Total Earnings: $48.7 million, seventh overall

Salary/Winnings: $4.7 million

Endorsements: $44 million

Phil signed a deal with Enbrel in 2010 after he was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. Mickelson is also sponsored by KPMG, Rolex, and Callaway.

David Beckham earned 89% of his money from endorsements



Total Earnings: $47.2 million, eighth overall

Salary/Winnings: $5.2 million

Endorsements: $42 million

Beckham signed a deal with Armani in 2007 for ~$40 million. Becks also has his own underwear line with H&M, and has other big sponsors, Samsung, and Adidas.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni earned 89% of his money from endorsements



Total Earnings: $31.5 million, 16th overall

Salary/Winnings: $3.5 million

Endorsements: $28 million

The face of Indian cricket has deals with Reebok, United Breweries Ltd., and PepsiCo.

Tiger Woods earned 83% of his money from endorsements



Total Earnings: $78.1 million, first overall

Salary/Winnings: $13.1 million

Endorsements: $65 million

After losing many endorsements following his messy divorce, Woods is back and expected to sign a massive new deal with Nike. Woods is also sponsored by Rolex.

Sachin Tendulkar earned 82% of his money from endorsements



Total Earnings: $22 million, 51st overall

Salary/Winnings: $4 million

Endorsements: $18 million

The recently retired Indian cricketer maintains deals with Adidas, Coca-Cola, and Toshiba.

Ernie Els earned 82% of his money from endorsements



Total Earnings: $19.5 million, 78th overall

Salary/Winnings: $3.5 million

Endorsements: $16 million

The 42-year-old South African was the first athlete to be individually endorsed by Boeing in 2012.

Li Na earned 82% of her money from endorsements



Total Earnings: $18.2 million, 85th overall

Salary/Winnings: $3.2 million

Endorsements: $15 million

The current world's sixth ranked player, Li Na earns a reported $1.5 million annually from Mercedes-Benz, and is also sponsored by Nike, Rolex, and Samsung.

Rafael Nadal earned 80% of his money from endorsements



Total Earnings: $26.4 million, 30th overall

Salary/Winnings: $5.4 million

Endorsements: $21 million

Bacardi recently held a Facebook competition to party in Mallorca with Nadal. Nadal is also sponsored by Armani and Nike.

Maria Sharapova earned 79% of her money from endorsements



Total Earnings: $29 million, 22nd overall

Salary/Winnings: $6 million

Endorsements: $23 million

Sharapova earns $2 million annually from tennis brand Head. She's also sponsored by fashion brand Cole Haan, Nike, Porsche, Samsung, and TAGHeuer.

LeBron James earned 70% of his money from endorsements



Total Earnings: $59.8 million, fourth overall

Salary/Winnings: $17.8 million

Endorsements: $42 million

Basketball's best player signed a $90 million deal with Nike when he was still in high school. James is also sponsored by McDonald's, Coca Cola, Samsung, and Dunkin Donuts.

Serena Williams earned 59% of her money from endorsements



Total Earnings: $20.5 million, 68th overall

Salary/Winnings: $8.5 million

Endorsements: $12 million

The world's #1 player has deals with Wilson, Gatorade, and Nike.

Derrick Rose earned 56% of his money from endorsements



Total Earnings: $37.4 million, 12th overall

Salary/Winnings: $16.4 million

Endorsements: $21 million

Rose signed a 13-year, $200 million deal with Adidas in 2012. Rose also has deals with Skullcandy, Powerade, and Wilson Sporting Goods.

Kobe Bryant earned 55% of his money from endorsements



Total Earnings: $61.9 million, third overall

Salary/Winnings: $27.9 million

Endorsements: $34 million

Bryant recently signed with Swiss luxury watch brand Hublot, which celebrated by releasing a Black Mamba timepiece. Bryant is also sponsored by McDonald's, and Nike.

Rory McIlroy earned 54% of his money from endorsements



Total Earnings: $29.6 million, 21st overall

Salary/Winnings: $13.6 million

Endorsements: $16 million

The 24-year-old McIlroy signed with Nike last year for a contract reportedly worth up to $250 million. McIlroy also has a deal with Omega.

Novak Djokovic earned 52% of his money from endorsements



Total Earnings: $26.9 million, 28th overall

Salary/Winnings: $12.9 million

Endorsements: $14 million

The world #1 has a five-year deal with Japanese clothing company Uniqlo. Djokovic also has a deal with Mercedes Benz.

Lionel Messi earned 51% of his money from endorsements



Total Earnings: $41.3 million, 10th overall

Salary/Winnings: $20.3 million

Endorsements: $21 million million

Messi appears in Turkish Airlines ads with Kobe Bryant. Messi has deals with Adidas, EA Sports, and PepsiCo.