(USA Today) -- Michael Jordan is the highest-paid retired athlete in the world, according to a Forbes' list released on Wednesday.
He earned the No. 1 spot after bringing in $110 million in 2015. Not only does he make more than any other retired athlete, but Forbes estimates that he is worth $1.1 billion, and that he will make approximately $30 million more than any other athlete, retired or active, in 2016.
Rounding out the top 10 were three other former NBA players: Junior Bridgeman, Shaquille O'Neal, and Magic Johnson. Non-basketball players on the list were David Beckham, Arnold Palmer, Jerry Richardson, Jack Nicklaus, Roger Penske, and Gary Player.Michael Jordan
1. Michael Jordan
Earnings in 2015: $110 million
Why: Jordan is widely considered the best basketball player of all-time, and his on-court success has carried right over into his bank account. The majority of his revenue comes from his Nike Jordan brand, but he still rakes in plenty of money from his continued relationships with companies like Hanes, Gatorade, Upper Deck, and Five Star Fragrances, according to Forbes.
2. David Beckham
Earnings in 2015: $65 million
Why: The former British soccer sensation turned international fashion icon earns a large portion of his money from a contract with a British clothing line, Kent & Curwen, as well as deals with Jaguar and Adidas, according to Forbes.
3. Arnold Palmer
Earnings in 2015: $40 million
Why: Besides being one of the most storied golfers in history and owner of the Bay Hill Golf Club and Lodge, a large portion of Palmer's earnings come from his world famous iced tea and lemonade mixture sold by the AriZona Beverage Co.
4. Junior Bridgeman
Earnings in 2015: $32 million
Why: He may be the least-known NBA player on this list, but Bridgeman, who played 12 season in the league for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers, is one of the most financially gifted retired athletes in the world thanks to his continued involvement in the restaurant business. Forbes estimates that he owns more than 450 restaurant franchises, which NBA.com reports are mostly made up of Wendy's and Chili's.
5. Jerry Richardson
Earnings in 2015: $30 million
Why: After just two seasons in the NFL in 1959 and 1960, Richardson's claim to fame has come long after he hung up his cleats and shoulder pads. He went on to become the owner and founder of the Carolina Panthers, and holds stake in one of the nation's largest fast food chains, Bojangles.
6. Jack Nicklaus
Earnings in 2015: $26 million
Why: Nicklaus is the most celebrated golfer of all-time, but his success hasn't been limited to the links. As the founder of Nicklaus Design, he has been responsible for the development of over 390 golf courses in in 41 countries, according to Nicklaus.com. He also founded the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation in 2004 and has a licensing agreement and clothing line with Perry Ellis International.
7. Shaquille O'Neal
Earnings in 2015: $22 million
Why: Some know him for his 19 NBA seasons of dominance in the paint. Others know him for his acting career (for better or for worse). But O'Neal's success spans well beyond the court and the big screen. According to Forbes, a large portion of his earnings comes from the Authentic Brands Group, a company that he sold his future licensing and endorsement revenue rights to, as well as his continued involvement with Icy Hot.
8. Roger Penske
Earnings in 2015: $20 million
Why: Not only is he the owner of Team Penske racing, but Roger Penske is also the founder and chairman of Penske Corporation, a transportation services company which, according to teampenske.com, manages businesses with revenues of more than $19 billion.
9. Gary Player
Earnings in 2015: $19 million
Why: Similar to Nicklaus, Player is active in the design of golf courses across the globe, and is responsible for nearly 400 courses in 38 countries, according to garyplayer.com.
10. Magic Johnson
Earnings in 2015: $18 million
Why: As the CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises and a partial owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Los Angeles Sparks, and the Los Angeles Football Club, Johnson has continued to be one of the top businessmen in the sports world since his retirement from the NBA.
