Pewaukee Native T.J. Watt On Lists Of World's Highest-Paid Athletes

PITTSBURGH, PA —Anytime an athlete finds themselves on a list with icons like basketball player LeBron James and soccer players Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo— especially on a list related to earnings — it usually means they are doing something right.

That certainly is the case for Pewaukee native T.J. Watt, the Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker who was named the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year after tying an NFL single-season record with 22.5 sacks.

This month, the 27-year-old Watt has found himself on two different lists ranking the world's highest-paid athletes.

In September 2021, Watt signed a four-year contract extension with the Steelers worth more than $112 million, which included $80 million in guarantees. The deal made Watt the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL.

The deal also catapulted Watt onto the highest-paid lists compiled by Forbes magazine and Sportico.

On the Forbes' list of The World's Highest-Paid Athletes (2022), released on May 18, Watt was ranked No. 50.

The list included income collected between May 1, 2021 and May 1, 2022, and Watt was listed as having salary/winnings of $36.6 million and $1 million in endorsements, for total earnings of $37.6 million.

The magazine highlighted Watt's sponsorship deals with Six Star Pro Nutrition, Capital One, GameBreaker Sports and Panini.

The top five on the list were: No. 1 Messi ($130 million), No. 2 James ($121.2 million), No. 3. Ronaldo ($115 million), No. 4. Neymar, a soccer player, ($95 million) and No 5. Stephen Curry, a basketball player, ($92.8 million).

Meanwhile, on Sportico's 100 Highest-Paid Athletes in the World 2022, released on May 11, Watt was ranked No. 43 with total earnings of $37.7 million, which included $36.7 million in salary/ winnings and $1 million in endorsements.

Watt, who was new to the Sportico list this year, was ranked just behind No. 42 Von Miller, linebacker for the Buffalo Bills, and ahead of No. 43, Phil Mickelson, a golfer.

According to Sportico, the list was based on salary and prize money, as well as off-the-field endorsements, licensing, memorabilia and appearances over the last 12 months.

Sportico's top 5 were: No. 1 James ($126.9 million), No. 2 Messi ($122 million), No. 3 Ronaldo ($115 million), No. 4 Neymar ($103 million) and No. 5 Canelo Alvarez, a boxer. ($89 million).