Sponsorship Today, a sports marketing and digital television intelligence publisher, complied the following list of athletes making a lot of money from endorsements in 2012.
1. Usain Bolt, Sprinter
Country: Jamaica
Earnings: $20 million in 2012
Sponsors: Puma ($9M), Visa, Gatorade, Nissan, Hublot, Virgin Media
2. Kim Yuna, Ice Skater
Country: South Korea
Earnings: $9 million in 2012
Sponsors: Kookmin Bank, Nike, Korean Air, Hyundai
3. Michael Phelps, Swimmer
Country: USA
Earnings: $7 million in 2012
Sponsors: Speedo, Visa, Omega, and Under Armour
4. Liu Xiang, Sprint Hurdler
Country: China
Earnings: $4 million in 2012 (estimate)
Sponsors: Nike, Visa, Chevrolet, Yili milk, China Mobile, Coca-Cola
5. Yelena Isinbayeva, Pole Vaulter
Country: Russia
Earnings: $2.7 million in 2012 (Estimate)
Sponsors: Li Ning ($1.5M), P&G, Visa
6. Lolo Jones, Sprint Hurdler
Country: USA
Earnings: $2.7 million in 2012 (estimate)
Sponsors: BP, Asics, Oakley, P&G, Red Bull (REUTERS)
7. Ryan Lochte, Swimmer
Country: USA
Earnings: $2.3 million in 2012
Sponsors: Speedo, Mutual of Omaha, Gillette, Gatorade, P&G, Ralph Lauren, Nissan, AT&T
8. Sanya Richards-Ross, Sprinter
Country: USA
Earnings: $2 million in 2012
Sponsors: Nike, BP, BMW, Citibank, Amway
9. Oscar Pistorius, Sprinter
Country: South Africa
Earnings: $2 million in 2012
Sponsors: Nike, Thierry Mugler, Oakley, BT
10. Jessica Ennis, Heptathlete
Country: United Kingdom
Earnings: $1.7 million in 2012
Sponsors: Adidas, British Airways, Aviva, Powerade, Olay
11. Sir Chris Hoy, Cyclist
Country: United Kingdom
Earnings: $1.5 million in 2012
Sponsors: Kellogg's, Harrods, Highland Spring Water, Adidas, Scottish Power