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When the New Orleans struggled to a 7-9 finish in 2014 and were forced to purge their roster in the offseason, a lot of fans wanted Drew Brees to take a pay cut.

Yet, the Saints' star quarterback was only the 10th highest paid NFL player in 2014 and is only the 67th highest paid athlete in professional sports, according to Forbes' annual ranking of highest earning athletes.

Brees, who signed a five-year $100 million contract in 2012, ranked 67th on Forbes' list with earnings of $22 million. He earned a base salary of $10.75 million in the 2014 season, along with a $250,000 workout bonus.

Forbes based its earnings figures on athletes' salaries, prize money and bonuses paid out between June 1, 2014, and June 1, 2015. Endorsement incomes are estimated by industry insiders. Investment income is not included.

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Rugby Saint II

If I remember correctly he set the scale for QB's when he signed his contract. He is still a very good value.

Edit: He has definitely earned his money.

Beastmode

I'm willing to bet he makes more than that in endorsements. He also has a non profit which 80% he gets to keep. I know Kevin Durant has 300 million in endorsements, far exceeding his chump change NBA contract. From barely trying for Brees, Vicks, Spyder bikes, ESPN, Wrangler, Verizon, Pepsi, Madden, Tide, Twitter, Dove....many many more. Miss the playoffs again though and it will fall off a cliff.

saintsfan1976

WHAT!!???

67!!!???

But he's in the decline. Did you see all those interceptions last season!!??

ScottF

a lot of guys 1-66 are older than Brees

foreverfan

You mean that the cost of Beer needs to be higher?

K Major

Side note ... Lionel Messi needs a raise .

ScottF

Europe is on a different planet with salaries

on another side note, how is Tiger earning $50 million? Got to be all from Nike; his earnings from wins is about 87 dollars

SmashMouth