Three Buffalo Bills players are among the 100 highest-paid athletes in the world, according to a new report.
An analysis by Sportico found that Bills quarterback Josh Allen is the second highest-earning NFL player with $66.5 million last year, behind only Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford ($73.3 million). Allen ranked 15th overall among all sports; he was unranked last year, but made a huge leap with a reported 6-year, $258 million contract extension in August — including $150 million guaranteed, the most ever in the NFL — plus $4 million in endorsements.
According to Sportico, Allen even surpassed Tom Brady ($58.4 million), who fell eight spots to No. 16 on the overall list because “his football earnings dropped $40 million due to the ebbs and flows of NFL signing bonuses.” However, Brady could easily top Allen next year thanks to endorsements with FTX and Subway, plus expanding businesses like TB12 and his NFT platform Autograph; he’s also reportedly agreed to a 10-year, $375 million deal to join Fox Sports as an analyst when he retires -- which is more than the $333 million he’s earned in salary over his 23-year playing career.
Two of Allen’s teammates, Von Miller and Stefon Diggs, also made the top 100 highest-paid athletes list. Miller, who said Bills Mafia helped him choose to join the team in March, ranked No. 42 overall with $37.8 million and Diggs, who signed a new deal last month, was 49th with $36.2 million.
Von Miller answers questions during a news conference Thursday, March 17, 2022, in Orchard Park, N.Y. Miller was introduced as the Bills' prized free-agent addition, a day after agreeing to terms on a six-year contract. (AP Photo/Mark Ludwiczak)AP
No other NFL team had three players on the top sports earners list, which includes salary, prize money, endorsements, licensing, memorabilia and appearances.
The top 100 highest-paid athletes in the world earned $4.46 billion in total income, according to Sportico. The list includes 36 basketball players, 25 football players, 13 soccer players and 12 baseball players.
LeBron James was the No. 1 highest-paid athlete over the past 12 months with $126.9 million — including a whopping $90 million in endorsements. Rounding out the top 10 were soccer stars Lionel Messi, Christiano Ronaldo, and Neymar; boxer Canelo Alvarez; basketball players Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and James Harden; tennis ace Roger Federer; and golfer Tiger Woods.
Tennis star Naomi Osaka was the highest-paid woman with $53.2 million, Sportico said. She ranked 20th overall, with the vast majority of her income coming from endorsements.
No Syracuse University alumni made the 2022 list (Carmelo Anthony has in past years), but two former Syracuse Chiefs (now the Syracuse Mets) baseball players did. Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper ranked 59th and 67th overall with $34.1 million and $33.1 million, respectively.
RELATED:
Who will make Buffalo Bills’ 53-man roster? Here are our pre-minicamp predictions
Buffalo Bills’ rookie class will make biggest impact in 2022, says NFL analyst
‘Someone get me a table’: The Punt God reacts to joining Buffalo Bills