Carson Palmer one of highest-paid athletes in the world
Jun 13, 2015, 9:15 AM | Updated: 9:15 am
Carson Palmer is the 27th highest-paid athlete in the world according to a list by Forbes magazine. Palmer ranks third amongst all football players, only trailing Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and Miami Dolphins defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh.
Forbes has Palmer’s salary and winnings at a combined $28.5 million for 2015 with an additional $0.5 million for endorsements. Palmer signed a three-year, $49.5 million extension with the Arizona Cardinals in November of 2014.
Palmer hopes to continue proving that contract extension was worthwhile after justifying it last season with his best QB rating since 2006 at 95.6. That QB rating was in the six games Palmer played before tearing his ACL in November. Palmer also threw for a career-high 4,274 yards in 2013.
Palmer’s large percentage of pay coming through salary is uncommon for most of the top athletes on the list, as most of these top athletes such as LeBron James at no. 6 make the lion’s share of their money off endorsements. James makes a total of $44 million off endorsements.
Forbes magazine list has international superstars from various sports across the list including boxer Manny Pacquiao at no. 2, soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo at no. 3, tennis player Roger Federer at no. 5, and golfer Phil Mickelson at no. 8.
The timing of Palmer’s high pay could not be better in regards to the offensive line that will be protecting him. A poll conducted Wednesday on ArizonaSports.com had 51% of fans choosing the offensive line as the team’s strength.
Recent additions this offseason such as guard Mike Iupati and rookie offensive lineman D.J. Humphries emphasize that strength. Cardinals general manager Steve Keim joined Doug and Wolf on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM and said regarding the offensive line that “you’re going to see a lot more physicality. Now we can run the ball and tell the defense to stop us.”
