sunnykerr

Yeah, the Premier League in Europe is big business. Massive business.

It's American football, baseball, basketball and hockey all roled into one.

I'm sure it's like any sport, and you'll find players who aren't gazillionaires, but the money comes in from all over.

You have their regular salaries, because these are all professional footballers, their endorsement deals, the money they get for just showing up at the World Cup and then the bonuses they get if their team makes it to whichever level. Because the bonuses are there at every level, that's why countries fight so hard to qualify.

It's big money, for the teams, but also for the players.

Cristiano Ronaldo is projected to make $80 million this year. There's only one other athlete making more money than him in 2014, and that's the boxer Floyd Mayweather.

Then, the 3rd highest earner is Lebron James, but then it goes back to "soccer" with Lionel Messi. Fifth place goes to Kobe Bryant.

After that, it's Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, Phil Mickelson, Rafael Nadal and Matt Ryan.

Meaning that, of the Top 10 highest earners in 2014, three are "soccer" players. It's only two basketball players, two tennismen, two golfers and zero football or baseball player.

Mesut Özil? The one who'll be donating his US$606 887 (per today's exchange rate)? He makes US$18.5 million a year, between his salary and his endorsement deal with Adidas.