Four Arizona-linked stars make Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes

Forbes has come out with its list of the 100 highest-paid athletes in the world, and some familiar faces to the Valley made the cut.

The local stars making Forbes’ list include James Harden, Phil Mickelson, Sam Bradford and Zack Greinke.

Former ASU star and current Houston Rockets guard James Harden comes in at No. 14. Harden has become one of the best players in the NBA and has made himself a wealthy man in the process with a total wealth of $46.4 million, the fifth-highest among NBA players.

The 28-year-old is coming off another strong statistical season that ended with a loss to the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals. Harden is considered an NBA MVP candidate.

Mickelson comes in at No. 22 on Forbes list with a total salary of $41.3 million. Unlike the other Valley athletes, Mickelson makes the majority of his salary on endorsement deals totaling $37 million.

One of the oldest athletes on the list, he has dealt with injuries in recent years. He’s the second highest-paid golfer on the list behind Tiger Woods.

The first current Valley professional athlete on the list is Bradford ranked at No. 80. Bradford, the former No. 1 pick, was able to sign the last rookie mega-deal before the NFL restricted the amount rookies could sign for.

The former Ram, Eagle and Viking signed a one-year $20 million contract, with the Cardinals in the offseason and will make a total of $24.1 million in 2018. The Cardinals’ new signal caller is the eighth highest-paid quarterback on the list.

Greinke finished right behind Bradford at No. 81 on Forbes’ list. The D-backs’ ace is in the midst of a six-year, $206 million contract signed before the 2016 season.

The 34-year-old right-hander will make $24.2 million in 2018. His contract is the highest annual value of any MLB player in league history. The fifth highest-paid pitcher on the list, Greinke still has three years remaining on his deal after 2018.

The current highest paid player in the world is boxer Floyd Mayweather, who will make $285 million this year.