I just came across the ranking of the richest athletes in the world, and honestly, I didn't expect such numbers. Michael Jordan tops the list with $3.6 billion — he's not just an athlete, he's a brand. Vince McMahon is close behind with $3.2 billion, then Ion Tiriac with $2.4 billion.

The richest athlete in the world turned out not to be who I thought. Usually, you imagine active players, but half of the list are people who built empires around sports. Ronaldo is in fifth place with $1.2 billion, Messi slightly below with $850 million. LeBron, Magic Johnson, The Rock — all of them are around $800 million.

Then it gets interesting — Federer, Beckham, Hamilton, Neymar. Floyd Mayweather with $400 million, although his boxing earnings were legendary. But the biggest money seems to be made not just from sports, but from the business around it.

Some of those on this list are no longer alive, numbers are rounded and estimated. I wonder how this ranking will change in a couple of years? Could anyone else enter the top of the richest athletes in the world?