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Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, with annual earning of $31.5 million, has been ranked 16th on Forbes' list of 100 highest-paid athletes, which has been topped by iconic golfer Tiger Woods.
The magazine said 31-year-old Dhoni moved up 15 positions this year. In 2012, he was placed at 31st position. (Forbes’ list of world’s highest-paid athletes)
The influential business magazine estimated that Dhoni made $31.5 million over the last year from prize money and endorsements.
Thirty-seven-year-old Woods of America made $78.1 million followed by Swiss tennis star Roger Federer at $71.5 million. Kobe Bryant, American professional basketball player, is third at $61.9 million. Federer, 31, had topped the 2012 list.
This year's list features just three women led by Tennis ace Maria Sharapova, who is ranked 22 with earnings of $29 million. Sharapova is joined by No 68 Serena Williams, who raked in $20.5 million, including $8.5 million in prize money. Interestingly, Dhoni's feat on the Forbes' list comes at a time when the Indian captain has come under media scrutiny over his alleged shareholding in a sports management firm, Rhiti Sports, which manages a few Indian national team and IPL players.
