World's 5 highest-paid athletes of 2017 - Where are Messi and Ronaldo?

#2 LeBron James – $86.2 million

LeBron James needs no introduction, having established himself as one of the best basketball players to have ever graced the game. The 32-year-old has had an incredible last 12 months during which he broke many records while also writing new ones.

LeBron-led Cleveland Cavaliers advanced to the NBA Finals of 2016, where they faced Golden State Warriors – a team which had beaten them in the final only the year before. Early signs pointed at yet another heartbreak for the Cavaliers at the final hurdle as the Warriors took a 3-1 lead in the 7-game series.

However, inspired by the magic of James, the Cavaliers mounted an incredible comeback to stave off elimination before beating the Warriors in the final game to be crowned as the champions. The team had scripted something extraordinary as they became the first team in NBA history to come back from a 3-1 deficit.

After guiding his team to their historic title, the four-time NBA MVP – for the first time in his career – became NBA’s top salary earner as he penned a $100 million three-year long contract with the Cavaliers. He became only the third player in history of NBA to earn in excess of $30 million after Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.

His phenomenal 12 months have seen him earn $86.2 million, the second highest among all athletes.