Rihanna – Puma, Estimated $1 Million
Rihanna received a slightly different endorsement deal from Puma, not the usual spokeswoman position but as a designer with her own line of sportswear and sneakers. Puma paid the singer over $1 million-plus royalties to design two different styles of sneakers for her collection and then extended the collaboration to fur slide sandals.
RiRi was also paid to work Puma’s gear into her wardrobe while she was out and about. In a recent interview, Rihanna said, “To be able to express yourself in a creative manner was special and felt like the right place for me, a place where I can show my work and growth.”
David Beckham – Adidas, Estimated $160 Million
In 2003 British Soccer player David Beckham signed the biggest commercial contract in the history of sports (of that time) – a $160 million lifetime agreement with Adidas. The international brand paid Beckham $80 million down payment. This contract includes a percentage of profits from the sales of his sportswear and extra payments for promotional work. Now retired, Beckham serves as a brand ambassador and represents the company all across the world.
Apart from the endorsements, Beckham keeps himself busy as the current president and co-owner of Inter Miami CF and co-owner of Salford City.
Blake Lively – L’Oreal Paris, Estimated $20 Million
Blake Lively and husband Ryan Ronalds are always making news for their witty comments about each other. They are one of the most loved and adored couples in Hollywood. Probably, that’s why featuring any one of them in an advertisement could prove to be a deal-breaker.
Blake Lively joined the L’Oreal Paris army of glamazons as a spokesmodel in 2013 and has been featured for their hair color, makeup, and beauty care products. Her natural beauty, along with occasional pregnancy glow and charming personality, encourages L’Oreal’s expectations to keep putting her in front of the camera, and her endorsement deal is said to be around $5 million per year.
Jennifer Aniston – Smartwater, Estimated $2 Million
If you were a FRIENDS fan, you must have had a crush on Jennifer Aniston. She has an amazing fall following, and this was visible the moment she landed on Instagram!
Aniston is the queen of making lemonade from awkward situations, and this was the case of her $2 million endorsement deal with Smartwater. In 2012, she gained a little weight, which started a false rumor she was pregnant. Building on that gossip, Jen teamed up with the beverages company for a series of ads for healthy (and occasionally pregnant) women drinking their product. Aniston since lost that extra weight but kept on working with the company.
LeBron James – Nike, Estimated $1 Billion
If you thought David Beckham’s deal was off-the-roof prepare to be blown away, as NBA superstar LeBron James has signed the biggest endorsement contract of all time with Nike. James was already under a 7-year contract with Nike that paid him $90 million but then they shocked the world with a lifetime agreement of $1 billion (!!) which translates to an estimated $33 million per year. LeBron has his own signature line of shoes and athletic wear and will continue to serve as a brand ambassador after his retirement.
