Seahawks QB Russell Wilson is 18th on the Forbes Magazine list of the highest-paid athletes in the world.
A year ago at this time, the Seahawks and Russell Wilson were still in the middle of negotiations on a new contract to replace the rookie deal he had gotten in 2012.
Now, with a four-year, $87 million contract in hand, Wilson finds himself on the Forbes Magazine list of the top 100 highest-paid athletes in the world, slotted 18th overall at an estimated $41.8 million.
That includes $31.8 million in salary (which itself includes a $31 million bonus he received upon signing) and $10 million in endorsements.
Wilson had just a base salary of $700,000 in 2015, which was part of his original rookie deal.
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The annual salary portion of his new contract kicks in this season with Wilson due to receive $12.3 million in 2016. That means you might not find Wilson ranked as highly on a similar list next season. Wilson has annual salaries of $12.6 million in 2017, $15.5 million in 2018 and $17 million in 2019, the last year of his new contract.
Two other Seattle athletes are on the list — Mariners’ second baseman Robinson Cano is 45th estimated at $27 million ($24 million in salaries and $3 million in endorsements) while Felix Hernandez is 56th ($24.9 million).