1. Roger Federer | ATP
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $86,000,000
Twitter Followers: 12.6M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $90,000 – $125,000
Estimated Value Per Post: $134,544
Notable Endorsement Deals: Barilla | Credit Suisse | Mercedes-Benz | Rolex | Uniqlo | Wilson Sporting Goods
Many thought Federer’s best days were behind him, but brands are clearly not deterred by his age. He is currently raking in far more in endorsement earnings than any other athlete globally, even scoring a new 10-year deal with Japanese apparel company Uniqlo in 2018. He currently holds the record for men’s Grand Slam singles titles and is second in tournament wins, with 103 titles. If he keeps going at this pace, he will likely become the first ever billionaire tennis player in 2020.
2. Tiger Woods | PGA Tour
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $54,000,000
Twitter Followers: 6.5M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $54,000 – $75,000
Estimated Value Per Post: $69,399
Notable Endorsement Deals: Nike Golf | TaylorMade Golf | Bridgestone Golf | Full Swing | Kowa | Upper Deck | Hero Motor Group | Monster Energy
After starting the decade in scandal and losing several key sponsors throughout the following years, Tiger earned his way back into the spotlight and into the number one endorsement spot in 2019, likely as a result of winning his 15th major championship and fifth Masters tournament in August. Thanks to some crucial errors of others and a more balanced approach to his game than seen in the past, Tiger’s Masters win was a unique one that will be remembered in Masters and golf history. This “return to glory” will only boost his endorsement earnings with Nike, TaylorMade, Bridgestone and more.
3. LeBron James | NBA | Lakers
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $53,000,000
Twitter Followers: 44.3M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $900,000 – $1,250,000
Estimated Value Per Post: $470,356
Notable Endorsement Deals: Nike | Coca-Cola | Beats By Dre | Blaze Pizza | 2K Sports
In his first season with the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron continued to exceed expectations and more than prove his worth. LeBron started 2019 by earning fourth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list when he reached 32,293 points during a postseason Lakers/Nuggets game, surpassing his self-proclaimed idol on the list, Michael Jordan.
This accomplishment — plus his four MVP trophies, three championships, top 10 all-time in points and assists and much more — means the major brands in his endorsement portfolio probably won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. LeBron’s career earnings passed $1 billion in 2019, with about more than half of that coming from his endorsements.
4. Cristiano Ronaldo | La Liga | Juventus
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $44,000,000
Twitter Followers: 81.8M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $675,000 – $937,500
Estimated Value Per Post: $868,604
Notable Endorsement Deals: Nike | Herbalife | DAZN | EA Sports | American Tourister
Ronaldo has been deemed one of the standout players of the entire decade, holding the second position in top international goalscorers list, with 99 goals in 164 appearances. Ronaldo has signed more than 30 major sponsorship deals across at least 24 industries since signing for Manchester United in 2003. Similar to number two endorser LeBron James, Ronaldo has a lifetime deal with Nike worth $1 billion. His CR7 trademark, which started in October 2013 as his own underwear line, has since grown to include footwear, shirts, fragrance, branded gym lines, jeans and a restaurant group.
5. Steph Curry | NBA | GS Warriors
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $42,000,000
Twitter Followers: 13.8M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $45,000 – $62,500
Estimated Value Per Post: $146,966
Notable Endorsement Deals: Chase | Under Armour | Brita | Palm | Rakuten
Steph Curry’s latest brand partnerships include tech company Palm and Japanese e-commerce company Rakuten (which pays $20 million a year to have its name on the Warriors’ jersey). His Underrated Tour is also sponsored by Rakuten, which he describes as a basketball camp “for any unsigned high school players rated three stars and below.”
From the Underrated Tour, to launching his company, SC30, and starting a production company (Unanimous Media) in 2018, it’s clear that Curry will continue to do more than just shoot hoops, with added support from his brand partners.
6. Phil Mickelson | PGA Tour
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $36,000,000
Twitter Followers: 486k
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $13,500 – $18,750
Estimated Value Per Post: $5,165
Notable Endorsement Deals: Callaway | Intrepid Financial Partners | KPMG | Exxon Mobil | Rolex | Grayhawk | Greenbrier | Amgen
Mickelson clinched a win at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February 2019, but his game wasn’t enough to keep his long-time (as in almost 26 years) streak in the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking, which came to an end in the second half 2019. Mickelson has kept things light though, most recently entertaining Twitter followers during one of his “Phireside” chats, where a story about him calling a limo to get out of a traffic jam during a 1992 Guns n Roses concert came to light. You’re welcome.
7. Lionel Messi | La Liga | Futbol Club Barcelona
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $35,000,000
Instagram Followers: 142M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $1M+
Estimated Value Per Post: $1M+
Notable Endorsement Deals: Adidas | Huawei | Lay’s | Gatorade | Mastercard | Pepsi
Messi continues to maintain his status as one of the best futbol players in the world. In 2019, he won FIFA Player of the Year — for the sixth time. Messi tops charts on both on a club level and with his national team, making him an easy candidate for these top company’s ad campaigns, including his lifetime deal with Adidas, who launched a “Messi 15 Years” Nemeziz pack in celebration of his professional debut in futbol.
8. Kevin Durant | NBA | Brooklyn Nets
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $35,000,000
Twitter Followers: 17.9M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $67,500 – $93,750
Estimated Value Per Post: $190,464
Notable Endorsement Deals: Nike | Alaska Airlines | Google | Beats | American Family Insurance | BBVA | Sparkling Ice | Panini
Kevin Durant started the 2019 season doing something another NBA player hadn’t done in four years — he had nine assists, with every assist on a three-pointer. However, during Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals, Durant ruptured the Achilles tendon in his right leg, an injury that might sideline him for a full year.
Based on the history, it’s doubtful this injury will sideline his endorsements with top brands like Nike and Google. (Remember “Yo, Google” circa 2018?)
9. Kei Nishikori | ATP Tour
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $33,000,000
Twitter Followers: 1M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $18,000 – $25,000
Estimated Value Per Post: $10,668
Notable Endorsement Deals: Nissin | Uniqlo | Wilson | Lixel | Weider | Jaguar | Nike
Nishikori’s earnings from a diverse set of endorsements surpass those of his slightly more well-known competitors like Federer and Djokovic. After almost a decade with Adidas, this Japanese superstar made the switch to Nike in 2017. His other endorsements get personal, too — Jaguar has a XF Kei Nishikori Edition to name one.
10. Rory McIlroy | PGA Tour
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $31,000,000
Twitter Followers: 3.2M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $27,000 – $37,500
Estimated Value Per Post: $34,030
Notable Endorsement Deals: Nike | TaylorMade | Bose | EA Sports | Omega
McIlroy made somewhat of a comeback with his 2019 Players Championship win considering it’s been five years since his last major trophy. Despite this, McIlroy was named PGA Tour Player of the Year over Brooks Koepka. His 10-year contracts with Nike and TaylorMade speak to the successful path brands know he has ahead. At the beginning of 2019, McIlroy and NBC Sports Group launched GolfPass, a modern, digital golf membership that features more than 4,000 hours of instructional videos, savings on tee times and more.
11. Neymar | La Liga | Paris Saint-Germain
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $30,000,000
Twitter Followers: 45M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $540,000 – $750,000
Estimated Value Per Post: $478,138
Notable Endorsement Deals: QNB | Nike | Gillette | Red Bull | Gaga Milano | Beats | McDonald’s
The World’s Most Marketable Athlete’s percentage of income from endorsements nearly doubled his top competitors’ respective percentage at one point (namely, Ronaldo and Messi). That title was granted to him in 2013 — is this still the case? Brands seem to think so. One of his newest endorsements includes Qatar National Bank, who appointed him as their brand ambassador at the end of 2018.
Neymar’s valuable online presence got him in hot water in March 2019 when he insulted a referee on social media after the Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League elimination after a loss to Manchester United.
12. Novak Djokovic | ATP Tour
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $30,000,000
Twitter Followers: 8.7M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $67,500 – $93,750
Estimated Value Per Post: $92,485
Notable Endorsement Deals: Lacoste | ASICS | FitLine | Ultimate Software
In 2019, Djokovic was one Grand Slam trophy away from holding all four tennis majors at the same time when he was defeated by Dominic Thiem. However, Djokovic continues to lock in endorsements, including his role as brand ambassador for Lacoste.
Besides the typical promotion around ambassador partners, Djokovic uses social media to give back. He and his wife deem Facebook and Instagram as “fantastic tool to fundraise and also to raise the importance of investing in early childhood education,” referring to the Novak Djokovic Foundation, which helps children all around Serbia get access to early childhood education.
13. Jordan Spieth | PGA Tour
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $29,000,000
Twitter Followers: 2M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $27,000 – $37,500
Estimated Value Per Post: $21,250
Notable Endorsement Deals: Under Armour | AT&T | Coca-Cola | Rolex | Titleist | NetJets
Over the past decade, Spieth has become one of the most recognizable names in golf, racking up more wins in the first quarter of his life than many of his elders. His youth likely makes him a unique advertising opportunity for his brand partners, including Under Armour, who had barely established themselves in the world of golf gear prior to signing Spieth.
Spieth hasn’t won a championship since the 2017 Open, but made headlines during the 2019 U.S. Open for calling out his caddie on live TV.
14. Rafael Nadal | ATP Tour
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $26,000,000
Twitter Followers: 15.7M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $90,000 – $125,000
Estimated Value Per Post: $166,724
Notable Endorsement Deals: Banco Santander | Telefónica | Nike | Babolat | Kia | Richard Mille
Nadal secured his fourth US Open title in 2019, meaning he’s now just one victory away from equaling the record for the most Grand Slam titles, which is currently held by top competitor Roger Federer. After a series of concerning injuries throughout the decade and a few years of slightly less eventful performances, the ball is back in Nadal’s endorsement court — he signed a brand-new deal with Telefónica at the end of 2019.
15. Serena Williams | ATP Tour
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $25,000,000
Twitter Followers: 10.9M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $36,000 – $50,000
Estimated Value Per Post: $115,926
Notable Endorsement Deals: Wheaties | Bumble | Upper Deck | Berlei | Gatorade | Wilson Sporting Goods | JPMorgan Chase
Williams is the only woman on Forbes’ list of highest paid athletes in 2019, with the vast majority of her earnings coming from these endorsements. Her rarity makes her extremely marketable for brands like Wheaties, Bumble and Wilson. In April 2019, Williams shared a video of her daughter holding a Wilson tennis racket on her Instagram, melting her 11.9 million followers’ hearts. Wilson commented on the post, “Future grand slam champ.”
16. Kyrie Irving | NBA | Brooklyn Nets
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $23,000,000
Twitter Followers: 4.3M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $22,500 – $31,250
Estimated Value Per Post: $45,645
Notable Endorsement Deals: Nike | Skullcandy | Activision | Pepsi | Panini | Foot Locker
Irving’s value off the court remains just as strong as it is off the court. His viral 2012 Uncle Drew Pepsi campaign led to a feature film in 2018, which he heavily promoted on his Instagram. In October 2019, Nike released the Nike Kyrie 5 shoe, inspired by Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants’ famous pineapple-shaped house – you’ll want to look that one up.
17. Virat Kohli | Indian Premier League | Royal Challengers Bangalore
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $21,000,000
Twitter Followers: 32.9M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $22,500 – $31,250
Estimated Value Per Post: $350,101
Notable Endorsement Deals: Blue Star | Wellman | Himalaya | Myntra | Google Duo | Mobile Premier League | Puma
Virat Kohli has many accolades that make him the best cricketer in the game, but he most recently became the first player in history to win ICC Cricketer of the Year, ICC Test and ODI Player of the Year awards in a single year at the 2019 ICC Awards.
Kohli ranks last on Forbes’ top 100 salary list, but claimed a high 16th spot in endorsements, which isn’t surprising after reviewing his lengthy list of current brand partners, 6 of which he signed just in 2019. He has been deemed the “king of the Indian brand endorsement market.”
18. Giannis Antetokounmpo | NBA | Milwaukee Bucks
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $19,000,000
Twitter Followers: 817K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $9,000 – $12,500
Estimated Value Per Post: $10,779
Notable Endorsement Deals: 2K Sports | Hulu | Nike
The “Greek Freak” is one of Nike’s top three contract holders (Lebron James and Kevin Durant are the first two), earning $10 million each year just from Nike shoe sales. 2019 saw the release of his first signature sneaker, the Nike Air Zoom Freak 1. Giannis’ status as the reigning NBA MVP probably means his 2019-20 season will see even more brand partners shooting for his endorsements.
19. Russell Westbrook | NBA | Houston Rockets
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $18,000,000
Twitter Followers: 6.2M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $27,000 – $37,500
Estimated Value Per Post: $66,383
Notable Endorsement Deals: Mountain Dew | Nike | Samsung | True Religion | Six Star | Barneys
After a historic trade from the OKC Thunder to the Houston Rockets in 2019, Westbrook’s loyal fans’ love didn’t waiver like some thought it would — and neither did his endorsement partners. In 2019, Westbrook moved past Magic Johnson for second place on the all-time career triple-double list, a record that will only please these brands.
20. James Harden | NBA | Houston Rockets
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $17,000,000
Twitter Followers: 6.5M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $27,000 – $37,500
Estimated Value Per Post: $69,504
Notable Endorsement Deals: Adidas | AOS | Electronic Arts | State Farm | BodyArmor
This 2018 MVP will likely don Adidas for a good chunk of his remaining time on the court thanks to a 13-year, $200 million deal with the 3 Stripes. During the 2019 off-season, Harden used his Instagram to showcase a new move he’s been trying — a running, one-legged three-pointer —using #OneLegChallenge to encourage others to try, too.
21. Drew Brees | NFL | New Orleans Saints
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $15,000,000
Twitter Followers: 3.2M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $18,000 – $25,000
Estimated Value Per Post: $34,003
Notable Endorsement Deals: Nike | Procter & Gamble| PepsiCo | Wrangler | Advocare | Verizon | Microsoft
The NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards will likely continue to make endorsement deals with all-time brands. He does far more than just pass the ball — he became an owner of Austin restaurant Walk-Ons in 2015, and recently appeared on an episode of Undercover Boss, bringing Twitter universe to tears.
22. Conor McGregor | UFC
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $15,000,000
Twitter Followers: 7.8M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $67,500 – $93,750
Estimated Value Per Post: $82,351
Notable Endorsement Deals: Monster Energy | Reebok | Beats | Anheuser-Busch
McGregor has become known for using social media to show off his extravagant lifestyle and wealth that he’s earned thanks to endorsement partners like Monster Energy and Reebok. He launched a fashion label, August McGregor, in January 2018. In March 2019, he tweeted that he would be retiring, a move that many people doubted and saw as a way to promote his whiskey brand. Regardless, has his followers and his endorsement partners hooked.
23. Klay Thompson | NBA | Golden State Warriors
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $15,000,000
Twitter Followers: 1.4M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $13,500 – $18,750
Estimated Value Per Post: $14,345
Notable Endorsement Deals: Anta | BodyArmor | Panini | Electronic Arts | Gillette
In 2018, Thompson agreed to a 10-year, $80 million endorsement contract with Anta, a Chinese sportswear company. While this brand hasn’t made a splash in the U.S. yet, this deal makes him one of the NBA’s top 10 richest sneaker endorsers. Thompson is known for enjoying traditional media over social media (his pre-game ritual is reading the newspaper), which Anta recognized with a special sneaker in 2019.
24. Justin Rose | PGA TOUR
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $14,000,000
Twitter Followers: 917K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $11,250 – 15,625
Estimated Value Per Post: $9,741
Notable Endorsement Deals: Honma | Bonobos | Hublot | Mastercard | Morgan Stanley | Zurich Insurance Group
Rose’s 2018 FedEx Cup victory over Tiger Woods Rose got companies’ attention — in 2019, he traded in more commonly known brands like TaylorMade and Adidas for Honma and Bonobos. Rose recently shared his invite to the 2020 Masters on Instagram and Phil Mickelson had something to say about it.
25. Damian Lillard | NBA | Portland Trail Blazers
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $13,000,000
Twitter Followers: 1.8M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $13,500 – $18,750
Estimated Value Per Post: $19,299
Notable Endorsement Deals: Hulu | Adidas | Powerade | JBL | Moda Health | Panini | Coach | State Farm
This Rookie of the Year and four-time All-Star signed a contract with Hulu in 2019, who came up with some blunt, attention-grabbing ads to kick things off. In one, Lillard is getting a tattoo that says. “Hulu has live sports” and he mentions to the tattoo artist that it’s part of his contract. His endorsement power will likely only continue to go up from here with such a wide portfolio of endorsement partners.
26. Tom Brady | NFL | New England Patriots
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $12,000,000
Twitter Followers: 822K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $22,500 – $31,250
Estimated Value Per Post: $10,865
Notable Endorsement Deals: Aston Martin | Sam Adams | IWC Schaffhausen | Tag Heuer | Under Armour
Just when we thought Tom Brady might be close to slowing down at his older NFL age of 41, he led the Patriots to a Super Bowl LIII victory. His portfolio of endorsements has become gradually more luxurious as time goes on, starting his humble beginnings with Dunkin’ Donuts and Hershey’s and progressing to brands like Aston Martin.
27. Lewis Hamilton | Formula 1 | Mercedes AMG
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $10,000,000
Twitter Followers: 5.6M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $18,000 – $25,000
Estimated Value Per Post: $59,875
Notable Endorsement Deals: Bose | L’Oréal | Mercedes-Benz | Monster Energy | Police | Puma | Sony | Tommy Hilfiger
Hamilton added a sixth championship to his collection in 2019, putting him in second place on F1’s all-time list. The highest paid Formula 1 driver is considered one of the most marketable athletes in the world, this only strengthened by the launch of his Tommy Hilfiger clothing line, with which he has a very hands-on approach, and hopes to continue to evolve.
28. Anthony Joshua | Boxing
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $10,000,000
Twitter Followers: 2.8M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $22,500 – $31,250
Estimated Value Per Post: $29,621
Notable Endorsement Deals: Audemars Piguet | Beats | British Airways | Hugo Boss | Jaguar | Under Armour
Joshua secured the title of heavyweight champion in 2016, subsequently raking in sponsorships from several high-profile brands like Beats and Jaguar. It wasn’t until June 2019 when he was defeated by Andy Ruiz, relinquishing the title. His brand partners didn’t seem to waiver — plus, Joshua redeemed himself with a clear victory during a rematch with Ruiz toward the end of 2019.
29. Russell Wilson | NFL | Seattle Seahawks
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $9,000,000
Twitter Followers: 5.5M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $45,000 – $62,500
Estimated Value Per Post: $57,935
Notable Endorsement Deals: Alaska Air Group | Amazon | Bose | Mercedes-Benz | Nike | Wilson Sporting Goods
After signing a huge contract extension (a cool $140 million) with the Seahawks in early 2019, Wilson is now the highest-paid player in the NFL. Wilson’s mind-boggling stats combined with his new salary are music to these brands ears. It’s highly likely that even more partners will slip into his portfolio as he continues to consistently rise in the ranks of the NFL.
30. Aaron Rodgers | NFL | Green Bay Packers
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $9,000,000
Twitter Followers: 4.4M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $45,000 – $62,500
Estimated Value Per Post: $47,027
Notable Endorsement Deals: Adidas | Bose | Panini | Prevea Healthcare | State Farm
The seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time MVP winner is a familiar face on and off the field, frequently appearing in State Farm commercials, among others. For someone who’s been in the NFL for almost 15 years, it seems like Rodgers’ rise to familiarity was slower than some, but now most people probably don’t sit through a prime game time commercial without seeing his face.
31. Anthony Davis | NBA | Los Angeles Lakers
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $9,000,000
Twitter Followers: 1.7M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $22,500 – $31,250
Estimated Value Per Post: $22,992
Notable Endorsement Deals: Ruffles | ExxonMobil | Foot Locker | Nike | Red Bull | Saks Inc.
Davis’ transfer from the Pelicans to the Lakers in 2019 was a good move. Not only is he leading the Lakers in points per game, but he also signed some new endorsement deals, freshening up his portfolio. Ruffles was one of the first brands to jump on Davis once his transfer to LA was announced. Davis signed a “Chip Deal” and the partnership quickly collided with his Nike endorsement, resulting in a Ruffles-themed sneaker which has — you guessed it — ridges.
32. Mohamed Salah | Premier League | Liverpool
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $9,000,000
Twitter Followers: 10.9M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $90,000 – 125,000
Estimated Value Per Post: $144,861
Notable Endorsement Deals: Adidas | Electronic Arts | Uber | Vodafone
The “Egyptian King” holds a unique sponsorship power as he is more than just an athlete to many — a devout Muslim, he is credited for reducing Islamophobia in Liverpool. His 2019 accolades include winning his third trophy after the UEFA Champions League in June, before also claiming the UEFA Super Cup title two months later. His humble nature is attractive to brand partners like Adidas, who made him the face of their iconic Adicolor line that originally made its debut back in the 1970s.
33. Chris Paul | NBA | Oklahoma City Thunder
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $8,000,000
Twitter Followers: 7.8M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $27,000 – $37,500
Estimated Value Per Post: $83,566
Notable Endorsement Deals: Nike | Panini | Spalding | State Farm | Walt Disney
This nine-time All-Star used social media this year to say goodbye to the Houston Rockets and hello to the Oklahoma City Thunder. During his two-year tenure with the Rockets, he helped transform them into one of the best teams in the NBA, and brands are still here to acknowledge his success, no matter the team. He and his brand partners are already making a splash in OKC — Paul got with Spalding and State Farm to dedicate a refurbished indoor basketball court at a center that helps families involved with the Child Welfare System in early January.
34. Paul George | NBA | Los Angeles Clippers
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $8,000,000
Twitter Followers: 2.2M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $9,000 – $12,500
Estimated Value Per Post: $23,469
Notable Endorsement Deals: Bass Pro Shops | Foot Locker | Gatorade | New Era | Nike
A six-time NBA All-Star, George shows no signs of slowing down and is likely only seeing the beginning of his lucrative brand endorsement deals at a the age of 29. Nike debuted his third line of shoes with the company in early 2019, PG3, and his fourth line at the beginning of 2020. Getting one signature shoe is impressive, much less four.
35. Blake Griffin | NBA | Detroit Pistons
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $7,000,000
Twitter Followers: 4.5M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $45,000 – $62,500
Estimated Value Per Post: $47,700
Notable Endorsement Deals: Nike | Panini | Red Bull
Griffin’s bad left knee caught up to him in the middle of the 2019-2020 season — he started the season coming off of one surgery, causing him to miss the first 10 games, then picking things back up for a hopeful 18 games. Unfortunately, he’s back out for the rest of the season after a successful arthroscopic debridement, which will require an extensive rehabilitation period. Prior to this, he’d already been seeing some career lows. There’s no saying how brand partners like Nike and Red Bull will navigate their deals with the injury-plagued All-Star moving forward.
36. Bryce Harper | MLB | Philadelphia Phillies
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $6,500,000
Twitter Followers: 1M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $22,500 – $31,250
Estimated Value Per Post: $10,959
Notable Endorsement Deals:Under Armour | Blind Barber | Johnson & Johnson | New Era | Rawlings | Topps
Harper’s 13-year, $330 million contract with the Phillies is the second largest in baseball history. Harper announced the release of his latest sneaker with Under Armour on his Instagram at the end of 2019, a brand with whom he’s been closely tied since 2011. Speakeasy-style groomer Blind Barber has also perfectly capitalized on Harper’s signature hair and beard, signing a deal with him in 2018.
37. Joel Embiid | NBA | Philadelphia 76ers
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $6,500,000
Twitter Followers: 1.7M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $6,750 – $9,375
Estimated Value Per Post: $18,188
Notable Endorsement Deals: Amazon | Electronic Arts | Fanatics | Hulu | Mountain Dew | Under Armour
Embiid is another one of Under Armour’s star faces, and he became part of the #HuluHasLiveSports campaign in early 2019. Embiid’s …colorful… Twitter account is well-known in the industry, and time will tell if his October 2019 Twitter blowup toward Karl Towns will affect his endorsement partners. Tweets became far less frequent following the drama, perhaps this cool-off period will help him reset.
38. Mesut Ozil | Premier League | Arsenal
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $6,500,000
Twitter Followers: 24.6M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $22,500 – $31,250
Estimated Value Per Post: $261,509
Notable Endorsement Deals: Adidas | Beats Electronics | Mercedes-Benz
The world-class footballer’s Turkish descent and German birthplace mean he has a diverse social base, which is an instant attraction for brand partners. Ozil is very active on social media, using it to share post-game feelings, updates around his philanthropic efforts and more. In July 2018, Ozil announced via Twitter that he would no longer be playing for the German team at an international level due to racism he experienced from the German federation president, sparking a global conversation about racism in football.
39. Gareth Bale | La Liga | Real Madrid
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $6,500,000
Twitter Followers: 18.6M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $45,000 – $62,500
Estimated Value Per Post: $197,221
Notable Endorsement Deals: Adidas | Konami | Wish | EA Sports | Lucozade | BT Sport
2019 was littered with rumors that Bale’s relationship with manager Zinedine Zidane was going sour and that he hasn’t been mixing well with fellow teammates. This, combined with his lengthy absences due to injury last year, is putting the remaining duration of his contract with Real Madrid in question. As far as endorsements, Bale’s Adidas contract will be up in 2020, so we’ll see if someone new vies for the transitioning player’s attention.
40. Carmelo Anthony | NBA | Portland Trail Blazers
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $6,000,000
Twitter Followers: 9.1M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $45,000 – $62,500
Estimated Value Per Post: $97,081
Notable Endorsement Deals: Foot Locker | Nike | Panini
Melo would still be a record-setting asset to any team despite his absence on the court in 2019 leading to rumors that he might not be too far from retirement. His move to the Portland Trail Blazers is being met with criticism by some, but is being deemed a fresh start by others. His endorsement portfolio has become more refined over the years, but he made headlines recently when he partnered with car-buying service Gettacar to give a vehicle to single mother in need in his hometown of Baltimore.
41. Kawhi Leonard | NBA | Los Angeles Clippers
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $5,500,000
Twitter Followers: 416K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $6,750 – $9,375
Estimated Value Per Post: $4,423
Notable Endorsement Deals: New Balance
When Leonard’s endorsement deal with Nike expired in 2018, he decided not to resign with them, and instead signed with Nike rival, New Balance. In 2019, he filed a lawsuit against Nike, alleging that the company copyrighted a logo he had authored without his consent. This brings to light the importance of the details within contracts athletes regularly sign with their brand partners. It will be interesting to see whether this drama impacts other brand partners’ relationships with Leonard moving forward.
42. DeMar DeRozan | NBA | San Antonio Spurs
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $5,000,000
Twitter Followers: 640K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $6,750 – $9,375
Estimated Value Per Post: $6,796
Notable Endorsement Deals: Nike | Spalding
DeRozan’s consistent performance makes him a desirable free agent in 2020, with rumors that he will likely leave San Antonio considering there isn’t an offer on the table yet. On the flip side, DeRozan led people to speculate that he was actually on the verge of being traded when wiped his Instagram feed clean in November 2019 (he did something similar when he was transferred from Toronto to San Antonio). DeRozan says he wishes he didn’t have to deal with social media, and that he wouldn’t have it if it weren’t a requirement — probably not music to potential endorsement partners’ ears.
43. Matt Ryan | NFL | Atlanta Falcons
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $5,000,000
Twitter Followers: 329K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $13,500 – $18,750
Estimated Value Per Post: $3,496
Notable Endorsement Deals: Banana Republic | Delta Air Lines | Fanatics | Gatorade | IBM | Mercedes-Benz | Nike | Panini | Southern Company
This menu of endorsements is probably still just the beginning for Ryan, who has expanded his portfolio in the past few years thanks to several accomplishments, including a Super Bowl appearance in 2016 and surpassing 50,000 yards toward the end of 2019, putting him in 10th place on the all-time passing list. He still has many years with the Falcons to come, and many more endorsement opportunities.
44. Odell Beckham, Jr. | NFL | Cleveland Browns
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $5,000,000
Twitter Followers: 4M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $31,500 – $43,750
Estimated Value Per Post: $43,071
Notable Endorsement Deals: Daniel Wellington | Beats | Nike | United Sports Brands
In 2019, Daniel Wellington Watches announced OBJ as one of their new icons after he sported one of their watches during a game. He also recently used his brand partnership with Beats to gift each player of his alma mater, LSU, a pair of headphones as a gift prior to the 2020 national championship came against Clemson.
45. Antoine Griezmann | La Liga | Futbol Club Barcelona
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $4,500,000
Twitter Followers: 6.7M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $67,500 – $93,750
Estimated Value Per Post: $71,180
Notable Endorsement Deals: Huawei | Puma | Head & Shoulders | Gillette
Griezmann began making a name for himself when he went to Real Sociedad in Spain, attracting long-time brand partners like Huawei and Puma. He can be credited for helping France win the 2018 World Cup by either scoring or setting up eight of the 14 total goals that helped them win, success that will continue to be mirrored with his A-list endorsements. Off the field, he dubbed the voice of Superman in the French version of 2017’s “The Lego Batman Movie.”
46. Saquon Barkley | NFL | New York Giants
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $4,500,000
Twitter Followers: 371K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $9,000 – $12,500
Estimated Value Per Post: $4,904
Notable Endorsement Deals: Bose| Dunkin Donuts | Nike | Pepsi | Toyota Motor | Visa
Barkley, who signed a four-year contract with the Giants worth a guaranteed $31 million, was named the NFL’s Rookie of the Year in early 2019. This rookie is now seeing a quick increase in interest from potential brand partners among the ranks of Pepsi and Visa — a rookie no more in the world of endorsements.
47. Paul Pogba | Premier League | Manchester United
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $4,000,000
Twitter Followers: 7.2M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $22,500 – $31,250
Estimated Value Per Post: $76,819
Notable Endorsement Deals: Adidas
For one of the highest paid footballers in the world, Pogba doesn’t rake in nearly as much as some of his counterparts when it comes to endorsement earnings, with Adidas as his only endorsement partner. Don’t take his high price tag and lack of brand association as a closed off move — he sold his World Cup-winning boots for $33,540 at a Paris auction house and donated the proceeds to a French charity that helps high school students from disadvantaged areas.
48. Kylian Mbappe | Premier League | Manchester United
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $4,000,000
Twitter Followers: 3.7M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $90,000 – $125,000
Estimated Value Per Post: $39,071
Notable Endorsement Deals: Hublot | Nike | Good Goût
Mbappe has received global attention by becoming the youngest French player to score in a World Cup and the second-youngest ever to score in a World Cup Final. He also won the 2018 World Cup Best Young Player award. For a long time, Mbappe’s only endorsement partner was Nike. He added the luxury watch brand Hublot in 2018 and organic baby and children’s food brand Good Goût in April of 2019. While the baby food brand may seem random at first, it actually aligns well with Mbappe’s charitable work with children.
49. Kevin Love | NBA | Cleveland Cavaliers
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $4,000,000
Twitter Followers: 3.2M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $13,500 – $18,750
Estimated Value Per Post: $33,989
Notable Endorsement Deals: American Greetings | Nike | Old Spice | Panini | Upper Deck
Love’s latest moments in the spotlight have been around his efforts to spread awareness around mental health issues. In 2018, he opened up about his own struggles with depression and anxiety, and how they were taking him away from the court. He received the Change Maker Award from Child Mind Institute for his work with child mental health awareness in May 2019. This philanthropic work combined with his four-year, $120 million contract extension with the Cavaliers are sure to lure in brand partners who can complement his sport and heart.
50. Dwight Howard | NBA | Los Angeles Lakers
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $3,500,000
Twitter Followers: 6.6M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $22,500 – $31,250
Estimated Value Per Post: $69,969
Notable Endorsement Deals: Peak Sports | NRG Energy
There was a time when Howard was the superstar of the NBA, frequently landing big-name endorsement contracts with brands like McDonald’s and Adidas. Between 2013 and now, however, he’s gone through a series of mishaps on and off the court that have led him to rock-bottom. Many think his move to Los Angeles could be a fresh start for his game and his brand — maybe 2020 will bring a resurgence in endorsement partners who are willing to give him another chance.
51. Mike Trout | MLB | Los Angeles Angels
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $3,000,000
Twitter Followers: 2.4M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $22,500 – $31,250
Estimated Value Per Post: $26,436
Notable Endorsement Deals: BodyArmor, J&J Snack Foods, Nike, Rawlings, Topps
The majority of Trout’s earnings are coming from his 12-year, $430 million contract with the Angels, a salary that makes him the highest-paid MLB player, and one of the highest paid athletes in the world. His $3 million in endorsements doesn’t seem like much, but is respectful considering baseball players don’t sign nearly as many endorsement deals as basketball and football players. Trout became the first Nike baseball player to get his own signature shoe since Ken Griffey Jr. in 2014, and several other endorsement partners have added themselves to Trout’s portfolio over the years as well.
52. Gordon Hayward | NBA | Boston Celtics
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $3,000,000
Twitter Followers: 662K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $4,500 – $6,250
Estimated Value Per Post: $7,034
Notable Endorsement Deals: Anta Sports Products | Comcast | Dick’s Sporting Goods | Fanatics | Panini
Hayward’s relationship with China-based company Anta came into question in October of 2019 when tensions between the NBA and China increased as a result of Rockets general manager Daryl Morey’s tweet supporting pro-democracy protests in China. While rumors spread that Anta would be halting negotiations with the NBA, Hayward said they called him and let him know their relationship would be remaining the same.
53. Al Horford | NBA | Philadelphia 76ers
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $3,000,000
Twitter Followers: 359K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $4,500 – $6,250
Estimated Value Per Post: $3,812
Notable Endorsement Deals: Banco Popular | Dunkin’ Donuts | Intel | Nike | Panini | Unilever
In early 2019, the five-time Dominican NBA All-Star became the face of the Built With Chocolate Milk campaign, promoting the recovery value of chocolate milk in the first-ever bilingual campaign run by them. In July, he used Twitter to bid his farewell to Boston, who he’d been with for 3 years, before transferring to the 76ers, one of the Celtics’ biggest rivals.
54. C.J. McCollum | NBA | Portland Trail Blazers
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $3,000,000
Twitter Followers: 361K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $3,600 – $5,000
Estimated Value Per Post: $3,837
Notable Endorsement Deals: Beats Electronics | Li Ning| Moda Health | Panini
McCollum first penned a contract with Nike when he joined the league, but ditched the Swoosh and signed a five-year contract with Chinese apparel brand Li-Ning in 2017, a move some thought was bizarre. The deal was born out of his desire to have more lucrative, “player-friendly” sneaker deals. McCollum is known for the different paths he’s paved though, graduating from Lehigh with a journalism degree and now hosting his own podcast, “Pull Up.”
55. Steven Adams | NBA | Oklahoma City Thunder
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $3,000,000
Twitter Followers: 214K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $3,600 – $5,000
Estimated Value Per Post: $2,274
Notable Endorsement Deals: Adidas | Handmade La Conner | Anheuser Busch InBev | Powerade
The New Zealand native is on the upward slope, signing a $100 million contract with OKC during the 2017-18 season — tripling his previous season’s salary 7 times. His latest partnership with Handmade La Conner was born out of his use of their mustache wax to keep his signature mustache looking neat during games. It’s been rumored that several other companies are also interesting in working with Adams.
56. Andrew Luck | NFL | Indianapolis Colts
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $2,800,000
Twitter Followers: N/A
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $0
Estimated Value Per Post: $0
Notable Endorsement Deals: BodyArmor| DIRECTV, Inc. | Nike | Panini
Luck is vocal about the fact that he wants all of his brand partnerships to be genuine, which is why he’s the one who actually reached out to BodyArmor back when he signed a deal with them. BodyArmor now credits Luck with being one of the first endorsers who actually helped get their name out there. He has even mentioned how supportive the brand was while he was out with a shoulder injury for a full season.
57. Andres Iniesta | J1 League | Vissel Kobe
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $2,500,000
Twitter Followers: 83M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $45,000 – $62,500
Estimated Value Per Post: $590,825
Notable Endorsement Deals: Asics
Iniesta is yet another player who decide not to renew his two-decade partnership with Nike when it ended, instead signing a deal with Japanese brand Asics. The 2010 World Cup winner started 2019 in hot water when he posted a picture of himself on Instagram posing with two people in blackface.
58. Alexis Sánchez | Premier League | Manchester United
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $2,500,000
Twitter Followers: 2.9M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $22,500 – $31,250
Estimated Value Per Post: $31,228
Notable Endorsement Deals: Nike | Pepsi | Huawei
Sánchez, who was once too poor to afford his own pair of boots, now has a multi-million dollar deal with Nike. His rags to riches story makes him a determined athlete and a great person on and off the field — not to mention, a desirable face for brands like Pepsi and Huawei. He played a leading role in 2019’s “Mi Amigo Alexis,” which is about a young boy whose life is changed when he meets his idol.
59. Gennady Golovkin | Boxing
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $2,500,000
Twitter Followers: 596K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $4,500 – $6,250
Estimated Value Per Post: $6,333
Notable Endorsement Deals: Nike | Pepsi | HuaweiDAZN | Chivas Regal | Hublot | Nike | Tecate
Golovkin’s record of 35 knockouts from 39 wins with just one loss and one draw made him one of the top six best-paid fighters in 2019. Sports streaming service DAZN roped Golovkin into a multi-fight rights deal in 2019 worth more than $100 million. Lately @GGGBoxing has been promoting whisky brand Chivas Regal on his Twitter feed as well. Golovkin is one of the pay-per-view kings of boxing now, along with competitor Canelo Alvarez.
60. Canelo Alvarez | Boxing
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $2,000,000
Twitter Followers: 1.5M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $22,500 – $31,250
Estimated Value Per Post: $16,051
Notable Endorsement Deals: DAZN | Everlast | Roger Dubois | Tecate | Henessy
The second of the two pay-per-view kings of boxing, Alvarez also saw a multi-million dollar deal with DAZN in 2018 that locked up 11 of his fights. Floyd Mayweather, Alvarez’s only loss in boxing, posted a scathing response to Alvarez’s contract on Instagram shortly after it was announced — we’ll let you read it for some color. Overall his endorsements have been on the rise in recent years, signing Roger Dubois and Henessy in 2018.
61. Nick Foles | NFL | Jacksonville Jaguars
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $2,000,000
Twitter Followers: 363K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $9,000 – $12,500
Estimated Value Per Post: $3,855
Notable Endorsement Deals: Bulletproof | Fanatics | Lululemon
The past few years have been huge for Foles, leading the Philadelphia Eagles to their first Super Bowl win in 2018 and penning a four-year, $88 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars in March 2019. As you would guess, brands are here for it. Lululemon made him their first mainstream athlete endorser the same week as the Jacksonville announcement. Apparently, he’s all about #thesweatlife.
62. Oscar | Chinese Super League | Shanghai SIPG
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $2,000,000
Twitter Followers: 4.5M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $18,000 – $25,000
Estimated Value Per Post: $47,850
Notable Endorsement Deals: Adidas
Oscar was very transparent about his stunning 2017 move from Chelsea to Shanghai SIPG. He basically wants to help China win titles for a few years, then he’ll see what’s next — could go back to Europe, could go back to Brazil. He clearly has value for any team he’s on (brawl-sparking tendencies aside), so he may as well ride it out and see what everything leads to next.
63. Giancarlo Stanton | MLB | New York Yankees
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $2,000,000
Twitter Followers: 331K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $9,000 – $12,500
Estimated Value Per Post: $3,521
Notable Endorsement Deals: Fanatics | Nike | Rawlings
While this four-time All-Star and the National League’s 2017 MVP is raking in $2 million in endorsement earnings from Nike and Fanatics, he admits he still shops at T.J. Maxx and Marshalls. Sounds like there’s still plenty of brand partnership opportunities to be had — cough, cough, T.J. Maxx.
64. Manny Pacquiao | Boxing
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $2,000,000
Twitter Followers: 2.6M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $67,500 – $93,750
Estimated Value Per Post: $27,922
Notable Endorsement Deals: Shopee
Pacquiao’s 2016 comments against gay marriage cost him many of his endorsement deals, but he recently promoted Singaporean e-commerce platform Shopee on his Instagram, so there’s something. Most athletes have hobbies outside of their sport, but none like Pacquiao. Once deemed the fighter of the decade, “Pac-Man” plays basketball, sings, is a Philippine Army officer and is a senator in the Philippines government. He recently got his BA in political science from the University of Makati College of Continuing, Advanced and Professional Studies.
65. Kyle Lowry | NBA | Toronto Raptors
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $1,500,000
Twitter Followers: 873K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $45,000 – $62,500
Estimated Value Per Post: $9,271
Notable Endorsement Deals: Adidas | AXE | Google
Lowry got tired of waiting around for a company to sign him a signature shoe, so he took the liberty of making his own logo. What started as playing around just to have something unique to slap on his gear turned into the creation of a full brand, including merchandise that has his self-designed KL logo on it. Perhaps his brand partners can find a way to fit into this new world where self-marketing is completely possible.
66. Bradley Beal | NBA | Washington Wizards
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $1,500,000
Twitter Followers: 459K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $9,000 – $12,500
Estimated Value Per Post: $4,871
Notable Endorsement Deals: Nike | Old Spice | Panini | PepsiCo | Tissot | Verizon Communications
The Wizards’ two-time All-Star shooting guard has several notable brand partners, but lacks the limelight that other All-Star peers see, i.e. national commercial spots or a signature shoe. Is he too private? Is it because the Wizards aren’t a marquee NBA brand? Is he too picky with what does come his way? No matter the reason, Beal is on the cusp of being a bigger player and earning more brand development and exposure, it just might take time.
67. Harrison Barnes | NBA | Sacramento Kings
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $1,500,000
Twitter Followers: 622K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $6,750 – $9,375
Estimated Value Per Post: $6,608
Notable Endorsement Deals: Adidas | Harman International | Hy-Vee | PepsiCo | United Sports Brands
When news broke that Barnes was getting traded from Golden State to Sacramento in early 2019, he was on the court. LeBron James called out the awkwardness of the trade on his Instagram that night, saying “Traded this man while he was literally playing in the game and had ZERO idea,” and starting a conversation around players’ entitlement to being involved in some of the business decisions that are made around them. Barnes’ on-and-off game stats with the Kings aren’t much to write home about, but his brand partners seem to still recognize some value in the 2016 Olympic Gold medal winner.
68. Ben Roethlisberger | NFL | Pittsburg Steelers
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $1,000,000
Twitter Followers: N/A
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $0
Estimated Value Per Post: $0
Notable Endorsement Deals: Fanatics | Nike | Panini | Sprint Corp.
While a very recognizable name, Roethlisberger isn’t the biggest earner when it comes to endorsements. He lost quite a few as the result of his 2019 assault allegations, and the Steelers’ lackluster performance since their 2010 Super Bowl appearance certainly hasn’t caused reason for brand partners to jump on him.
69. Khalil Mack| NFL | Chicago Bears
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $1,000,000
Twitter Followers: 255K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $6,750 – $9,375
Estimated Value Per Post: $6,608
Notable Endorsement Deals: Mack Trucks | New Era | Nike
Mack’s 2018 trade from the Oakland Raiders to the Chicago Bears brought on a slew of new endorsements deals. One of the unique ones: Mack Trucks (okay, we should have seen that one coming). Who better than a 6-3, 250-pound defensive end to be the face of the rough and tough semi-truck brand? Mack is now the 13th highest paid athlete on Forbes list for 2019 – it’s safe to say his endorsement portfolio will probably only grow from here.
70. Mike Conley, Jr. | NBA | Utah Jazz
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $1,000,000
Twitter Followers: 531K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $6,750 – $9,375
Estimated Value Per Post: $3,373
Notable Endorsement Deals: Nike
After sealing deals with both Adidas and Under Armour over the years, Conley has made himself at home with Nike — and now with the Utah Jazz after a rare 13 seasons with the Grizzlies. However, 2019 saw Conley struggling to live up to the standards that came with the trade, re-injuring his left hamstring toward the end of the year. As long as his absence isn’t too long, the Jazz will make do, but he’s valuable enough that it’s being said that an extended absence could be detrimental. Don’t turn to social media for updates, Conley Jr. doesn’t post.
71. Justin Verlander | MLB | Houston Astros
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $1,000,000
Twitter Followers: 1.9M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $9,000 – $12,500
Estimated Value Per Post: $20,140
Notable Endorsement Deals: Breitling | GlaxoSmithKline | Rawlings | Supercuts | Under Armour | USAA
Mr. Kate Upton’s Hall of Fame career and World Series title give him loads of marketing value, attracting prominent brands like Breitling and Under Armour. Unfortunately, at the end of 2019, an MLB investigation found that the Astros used technology to cheat during its World Series-winning 2017 season. Verlander’s Twitter account has gone notably silent with the exception of a few posts since the news broke. Time will tell if brand partners will draw back on any endorsement deals as a result of the scandal.
72. Andre Drummond | NBA | Detroit Pistons
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $1,000,000
Twitter Followers: 843K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $9,000 – $12,500
Estimated Value Per Post: $5,636
Notable Endorsement Deals: AT&T | Gillette | Nike | Panini
Deemed the best true center in the league by some, Drummond is attractive to brands for his records, but also for his commitment to community service. He is a Special Olympics ambassador and actively participates with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
73. Marc Gasol | NBA | Toronto Raptors
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $1,000,000
Twitter Followers: 1.9M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $7,650 – $10,625
Estimated Value Per Post: $20,948
Notable Endorsement Deals: Nike | San Miguel
Gasol’s trade from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Toronto Raptors in 2019 has done wonders for their offense. He took to Twitter to send a heartfelt message to Memphis, the place he called home for over a decade.
74. David Price | MLB | Boston Red Sox
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $950,000
Twitter Followers: 1.7M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $13,500 – $18,750
Estimated Value Per Post: $18,225
Notable Endorsement Deals: Fanatics | Nike | Rawlings | Topps
Price made headlines in 2019 for criticizing the MLB’s marketing of African-American baseball stars, particularly fellow teammate Mookie Betts. He feels Betts deserves the level of publicity that other players get and told the MLB to “step up.” His argument expanded to say that the MLB is overall the worst at marketing their payers in comparison to the NFL and NBA, a statement confirmed by the lack of MLB players topping this list.
75. Nikola Jokic | NBA | Denver Nuggets
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $750,000
Twitter Followers: N/A
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $0
Estimated Value Per Post: $0
Notable Endorsement Deals: Nike | Panini | Western Union
Jokic established himself as one of the most exciting players in the league just a few years into his time with the Denver Nuggets, and is on the path to make the All-Star Game at some point not too far off. Affectionately nicknamed “The Joker,” Jokic was put into a parody of the trailer for 2019’s “Joker” film that made the rounds on social media.
76. Hassan Whiteside | NBA | Portland Trail Blazers
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $750,000
Twitter Followers: 188K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $4,500 – $6,250
Estimated Value Per Post: $1,995
Notable Endorsement Deals: Harman International | Nike | Panini
Whiteside was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers from the Miami Heat in mid-2019, a gain for the Trail Blazers that has been consistently praised on social media. He’s known to show love to other players via his Instagram and other social accounts, and he often interacts with fans.
77. Clayton Kershaw | MLB | Los Angeles Dodgers
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $700,000
Twitter Followers: 381K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $13,500 – $18,750
Estimated Value Per Post: $4,046
Notable Endorsement Deals: Skechers | Topps | Under Armour | Wilson Sporting Goods
Toward the end of 2019, Kershaw signed an endorsement deal with Skechers to wear custom cleats during the 2019 postseason, and he’s collaborating on several styles for their men’s performance and athletic line launching in 2020. The early-2000s called: they’re ready to get sporty.
78. Albert Pujols | MLB | Los Angeles Angels
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $700,000
Twitter Followers: 222K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $11,250 – $15,625
Estimated Value Per Post: $2,357
Notable Endorsement Deals: Nike
While Pujol’s departure from St. Louis significantly upped his salary, some wondered if after 11 seasons with the Cardinals, it would poorly impact his endorsement deals. In 2016, just 5 years after he left, Pujols was still an impressive number 57 on this list, bringing in $2 million in endorsements at the time. Now just 3 years later, he’s earning about $700,000 from his endorsements. As he nears the end of his contract with the Angels, we’ll see if his next move ropes brand partners back in.
79. J.D. Martinez | MLB | Boston Red Sox
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $700,000
Twitter Followers: 149K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $4,500 – $6,250
Estimated Value Per Post: $1,583
Notable Endorsement Deals: Adidas | Anheuser Busch InBev | Ford Motor | T-Mobile
Martinez had the option to opt out of his contract with the Red Sox at the end of 2019. With news breaking of the Red Sox illegally using its video replay room during games to learn the sign sequences employed by opposing teams, the question arises whether Martinez will still stick with the Red Sox, possibly spending some of his prime years rebuilding the team’s rep, or will he now take this opportunity to be moved?
80. Andrew Wiggins | NBA | Minnesota Timberwolves
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $600,000
Twitter Followers: 511K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $6,750 – $9,375
Estimated Value Per Post: $5,429
Notable Endorsement Deals: BioSteel | Fitbit
Wiggins’ deal with Adidas started during his rookie career, but at the time, there were questions about whether the amount was lower than originally expected, with rumors that Adidas was hesitant to give Wiggins a signature shoe. In 2018, people speculated he was ditching the three stripes, but a quick trip to his social accounts confirms he’s still a part of the Adidas family. A ton of his posts, however, promote sports nutrition brand BioSteel. Wiggins has also been involved in some Instagram drama over the years.
81. Aaron Donald | NFL | L.A. Rams
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $600,000
Twitter Followers: 71K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $4,500 – $6,250
Estimated Value Per Post: $752
Notable Endorsement Deals: Dick’s Sporting Goods | Electronic Arts | Panini | Pizza Hut | Karma Automotive
Donald’s six-year extension with the LA Rams in 2018; $22.5 million-per-season average salary (second-most of any defensive player, just behind Chicago’s Khalil Mack); and five-time pro bowler/two-time Defensive Player of the Year status is grabbing brands’ attention — he’s become a sought-after endorser, having fun with brands like Pizza Hut and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
82. Brandin Cooks | NFL | L.A. Rams
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $9,000,000
Twitter Followers: 118K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $2,250 – $3,125
Estimated Value Per Post: $1,555
Notable Endorsement Deals: Bose | Fanatics | Kumho Industrial Co. Ltd. | Reebok
Cooks’ 2019 ended with two concussions stacking on top of the five known ones he’s had since 2015, putting in question whether or not he would finish the year out, rumors that he shut down on Instagram. You can also follow his inspiring photography account @archer12eyes to get “behind the scenes shots of what every day looks like” for Rams players and more. Cooks’ transparency and genuine nature on social platforms probably make him an honest pick for brand partners.
83. Manny Machado | MLB | San Diego Padres
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $500,000
Twitter Followers: N/A
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $0
Estimated Value Per Post: $0
Notable Endorsement Deals: Nike | Rawlings
Manny’s record of sometimes bizarre or risky behavior, including kicking Milwaukee’s Jesús Aguilar during a game in 2018, has caused some to label him as a “dirty player.” Not exactly the label you would think brand partners want to be associated with. But hey, maybe that “be who you are” and “play how you have to play” attitude is exactly what makes him such a desirable asset for any team.
84. Deontay Wilder | Boxing
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $500,000
Twitter Followers: 627K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $9,000 – $12,500
Estimated Value Per Post: $8,292
Notable Endorsement Deals: Everlast
It’s been questioned why the WBC heavyweight title holder isn’t a bigger deal than he is, considering his professional record is 39-0. In March 2019, he rejected streaming services DAZN’s $100 million dollar, three-fight deal in favor of staying a free agent on the TV market.
85. Paul Millsap | NBA | Denver Nuggets
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $500,000
Twitter Followers: 66K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $6,750 – $10,000
Estimated Value Per Post: $529
Notable Endorsement Deals: Nike | Panini
Millsap played a positive role in the chatter around LeBron James being on the decline due to his old age of 36, using James-inspired #WashedKing to agree that the immediate complexity associated with getting older in the sport is ridiculous. In 2019, he was fourth in the NBA for 3-pointers (48.8%) and shot a career-high 87% from the free-throw line — sounds like he’s still in his prime to us.
86. Miguel Cabrera | MLB | Detroit Tigers
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $500,000
Twitter Followers: 1M
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $9,000 – $12,000
Estimated Value Per Post: $11,571
Notable Endorsement Deals: Adidas | Franklin Sports | Topps | Wilson Sporting Goods
Cabrera was earning 5 times this amount in endorsements back in 2016, and we think we know where things might have gone wrong. In 2018, a paternity lawsuit filed against him from a woman with whom he had extramarital affairs landed him in a lengthy series of trials that resulted in a large dent in his personal reputation. In 2019, it broke that he would be paying $20,000 a month in child support.
87. Earl Thomas | NFL | Baltimore Ravens
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $500,000
Twitter Followers: 759K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $2,700 – $3,750
Estimated Value Per Post: $8,006
Notable Endorsement Deals: Nike
When Thomas went to the Ravens from the Seattle Seahawks in March 2019, drama ensued. He took to social media to express his disappointment in the reaction from fans and teammates. Prior to returning to Seattle in October, Thomas posted that he hoped the stadium’s reaction would be “love.”
88. Jake Arrieta | MLB | Philadelphia Phillies
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $500,000
Twitter Followers: 452K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $67,500 – $93,750
Estimated Value Per Post: $4,804
Notable Endorsement Deals: Adidas | Mizzen+Main | Bridgestone | Panini | Rawlings | Topps
When Arrieta pitched his second no-hitter in only a year in 2016, he triggered several of his current endorsement deals, including performance fabric menswear company Mizzen+Main and Saxx underwear. He signed a three-year, $75 million contract with the Phillies in 2018.
89. Jrue Holiday | NBA | New Orleans Pelicans
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $500,000
Twitter Followers: 142K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $2,250 – $3,125
Estimated Value Per Post: $1,207
Notable Endorsement Deals: Nike | Carnival Corp | Panini | SeatGeek | Smoothie King | Sprint Corp.
Holiday re-signed with Nike on a new multi-year footwear and apparel endorsement deal in 2019, and rumors swirled at the end of the year that he might be available for trade in 2020. Check his profiles for some adorable pictures of his daughter with wife Lauren Holiday, former U.S. women’s national soccer team player.
90. Otto Porter, Jr. | NBA | Chicago Bulls
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $500,000
Instagram Followers: 87K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $6,750 – $9,375
Estimated Value Per Post: $271
Notable Endorsement Deals: Nike
Porter signed a four-year deal worth $106.5 million with the Wizards in 2017, but was sent to Chicago the next season. An injury to his left foot in November 2019 put him out indefinitely, his absence a significant dent to the Bulls through the beginning of 2020. Perhaps legendary NBA agent David Falk, who steered Michael Jordan’s career, can also steer Porter into some more lucrative endorsement deals.
91. Yoenis Cespedes | MLB | New York Mets
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $400,000
Twitter Followers: 149K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $9,000 – $12,500
Estimated Value Per Post: $1,584
Notable Endorsement Deals: Franklin Sports | New Balance | Panini | Wilson Sporting Goods
What started out as a promising asset to the Mets when they resigned his contract in November 2016 has turned out to be a little disappointing – the outfielder has missed more than 70% of the games due to injury since 2016. Some observed that Mets’ general manager at the time, Sandy Alderson, may have had “buyers’ remorse” — Cespedes’ lower endorsement earnings in the scheme of things may imply his brand partners started to feel the same way.
92. Sebastian Vettel | Formula 1 | Scuderia Ferrari
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $300,000
Twitter Followers: N/A
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $0
Estimated Value Per Post: $0
Notable Endorsement Deals: N/A
Vettel was pulling in $1 million in endorsement earnings in 2016 with a steady decline since. Perhaps it’s because he hasn’t won a title since his move to Ferrari in 2015.
93. Felix Hernandez | MLB | Seattle Mariners
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $300,000
Twitter Followers: 292K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $6,750 – $9,375
Estimated Value Per Post: $3,102
Notable Endorsement Deals: Nike | Panini | Topps
King Felix’s contract with the Mariners peaked in 2019, resulting in a $27 million salary. His recent years have been plagued by injury, only winning 25 games combined between 2016 and 2018. He once brought in millions from companies like 2KSports and Pepsi, and that list has since waned down to a modest $300,000.
94. Joey Votto | MLB | Cincinnati Reds
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $300,000
Twitter Followers: N/A
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $0
Estimated Value Per Post: $0
Notable Endorsement Deals: Nike | Rawlings
Despite the lower endorsement earnings, Votto has still been performing well over the past few years, finishing second in the National League MVP voting in 2017 in one of the closest votes in MLB history. The Reds have a grip on him through 2023 with the $251.5 million contract he signed in 2012, a salary he’s putting to good use.
95. Jon Lester | MLB | Chicago Cubs
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $300,000
Twitter Followers: 728K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $9,000 – $12,500
Estimated Value Per Post: $7,738
Notable Endorsement Deals: Nike | Wilson Sporting Goods
This lefty may be entering the beginning of the end of his MLB career in 2020, but still contributes to the team’s success enough that he shouldn’t just be dismissed. It’s too bad his off-field earnings aren’t as robust as they once were — he donates them to his NVRQT campaign, run by the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, which helps raise awareness and money for pediatric cancer research.
96. Trey Flowers | NFL | Detroit Lions
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $250,000
Twitter Followers: N/A
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $0
Estimated Value Per Post: $0
Notable Endorsement Deals: Nike | Panini
The five-year, $90 million contract Flowers signed with the Detroit Lions in March 2019 made him the sixth-highest paid defensive player and third-highest paid defensive end in the NFL. At just 26 years old, it’s safe to say Flowers still has years of new endorsement earnings ahead of him as long as he stays productive.
97. Justin Houston | NFL | Indianapolis Colts
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $200,000
Twitter Followers: 84K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $6,750 – $9,375
Estimated Value Per Post: $537
Notable Endorsement Deals: Nike
Houston remains one of the highest paid linebackers in NFL history. When he became a free agent in early 2019, speculation about his next move was heightened when he followed several Pittsburg Steelers on social media. However, he ended up entering a two-year, $23 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts.
98. DeMarcus Lawrence | NFL | Dallas Cowboys
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $150,000
Twitter Followers: 244K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $4,500 – $6,250
Estimated Value Per Post: $2,588
Notable Endorsement Deals: Nike | Snickers
In April 2019, Lawrence signed a five-year, $105 million extension that will keep him on the Dallas Cowboys through 2023. His partnership with Snickers started in fall of 2018 and continues to amuse fans today, with the chocolate bar brand sending him 105 Snickers bars to commemorate his $105 million deal when it was announced.
99. C.J. Mosley | NFL | Baltimore Ravens
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $150,000
Twitter Followers: 161K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $4,500 – $6,250
Estimated Value Per Post: $1,713
Notable Endorsement Deals: Nike | Panini
Mosley learned things stay on the internet forever in 2019 when he posted a (maybe drunken) video on Instagram addressing how he’s been questioned about his loyalty to the Ravens. Indulge yourself by watching here.
100. Geno Atkins | NFL | Cincinnati Bengals
2019 Endorsement Earnings: $75,000
Twitter Followers: 103K
Opendorse Estimated Cost Per Social Post: $2,250 – $3,125
Estimated Value Per Post: $876
Notable Endorsement Deals: Nike | Powerbar
Atkins was voted to his eighth Pro Bowl in 10 seasons at the end of 2019, a move that some question, considering his numbers aren’t the highest on the team. It’s apparently the respect for him around the league that won him the spot. Interestingly, his repetitive Pro Bowl presence doesn’t draw in a ton of endorsement earnings, but his talent is enough to keep Nike around — his contract with the Swoosh was extended in 2019.
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