12 Athletes Filthy Rich Off Shoe Money

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While sneaker heads line up around the corner for new releases, there are really only two winners in the shoe game: the manufacturers and those with endorsement deals.

photo: WENN

Paying close to $200 to keep your kick game on point is laughable when you can annually bring in tens of millions plus get player exclusives and dead stock releases. Those perks are only for a select few, and these 12 athletes filthy rich off shoe money are in that elite club.

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Photo: Nike

LeBron James – $90 million from Nike

King James” inked a $90 million dollar deal with Nike before he ever made a dollar from the NBA. He’s set for life.

Derrick Rose – $185 million from adidas

Just because it seems like his knees are made of paper mache, you don’t have to feel sorry for Derrick Rose. He signed a 13-year, $185 million deal with adidas. That’s on top of his $90 million NBA salary, and the latter is guaranteed. He can literally buy some legs if needs to.

Kevin Durant – $300 million from Nike

Have several seats with your “Based God” curse talk. Part of KD’s deal with Nike gave the swoosh the right to match or beat any competing offer. So when Under Armour courted Durant with a $285 million deal for 10-years, Nike waited a few days and beat the offer. Game, set, and match.

Kobe Bryant – $40 Million from Nike

In 2003, Kobe ditched adidas—reportedly dropping $10 million for a buyout—and signed with a five-year deal with Nike for $40 million.

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Allen Iverson – $50 million from Reebok

Depending on who you ask, A.I. is either barely getting by or patiently waiting. He signed a 10-year, $50 million deal with Reebok in 1996, but he also re-upped that deal with an extension in 2001. That means he’s reportedly got stacks in a trust that can’t be touched for a pre-determined amount of years. Let’s hope so.

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Michael Jordan – $100 million (estimated) from Nike

The other logo practically built Nike, and if you haven’t noticed, the Jordan brand is thriving. At this point Jordan allegedly receives a set fee from Nike as well as royalties and possibly even shares of Nike stock to easily give him the best shoe deal in sports. It’s especially lucrative considering MJ retired back in 2003.

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Carmelo Anthony – $60 million from Nike

The Knicks might be garbage, but ‘Melo is still getting his paper on and off the court. Not only did he sign a max contract last summer, but he reportedly signed a seven-year, $60 million deal with Nike’s Jordan Brand in 2008.

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Serena Williams – $55 million from Nike

After messing around with a Puma deal, Serena stopped playing and inked a lucrative deal with Nike in 2003. The pact was reportedly worth $55 million, and it included additional performance-based incentives.

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Tom Brady – ???? from Under Armour

Like most things with the New England Patriots, Brady’s shoe deal is shrouded in secrecy. That’s because unlike most athletes, Brady opted for a shares of Under Armour stock. Owning a small chunk of the company is a truly OG move if played correctly, because that stock can appreciate rapidly and it’s not being taxed.

Tiger Woods – $100 million from Nike

During his scandal days, when he was humping everything like a dog in heat, Nike was one of the few companies that didn’t kill Tiger Woods’ sponsorship.

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Venus Williams – $40 million From Reebok

You don’t hear much about Venus these days, but she’s been getting racked out on the low for over a decade. She signed a $40 million deal with Reebok back in 2000.

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Maria Sharapova – $70 million from Nike

Not only is she the nicest thing this side of Serena on the tennis court, but she’s dime material, and she’s caked up courtesy of team Swoosh. In 2010, she renewed her deal with Nike to the tune of $70 million for eight-years, which makes her one of the highest paid female athletes.