This is a list of the highest-paid athletes in the world for 2012 as ranked by Forbes magazine on their earnings in United States dollars.

In 2009, Kobe was tied for second in Forbes' list of the world's highest-paid athletes with $45 Million.

With three leagues competing for talent, ice hockey players were among the highest-paid athletes in North America.

Later, he signed a contract making him the highest-paid athlete in professional sports.

She appeared on 19 consecutive all-star teams in that sport, and was the highest-paid female athlete in the 1960s and 1970s.

In 2009 Forbes ranked Rossi as number nine among the world's highest-paid athletes having earned an estimated $35 million in the past year.

Currently the World No. 1, he has been one of the highest-paid athletes in the world for several years according to Forbes.

According to Forbes in August 2011, she became the fifth highest-paid female athlete over the past year.

Currently the World No. 1 he was the highest-paid professional athlete in 2008 having earned an estimated $110 million from winnings and endorsements.

Whatever the number, Carter, 24, will be the highest-paid athlete in Canadian history.