by Mark
It’s not really a massive shock to learn that Valentino Rossi makes millions and millions of dollars, or Euros, or whichever currency you wish to choose.
What is perhaps more surprising is the fact that, according to a recent report by ESPN, Rossi is the highest earning athlete in Italy!
The list by ESPN features the best paid athletes from 182 countries, the vast majority of whom are football (soccer) stars, with basketball and baseball running second and third.
The annual salary list represents only base salary from the most recently completed season or calendar year from each sport, and excludes any other source of compensation.
Rossi is the only motorcyclist on the list and the fact he out-earns every football star in Italy is something to behold!
According to the list, Rossi has an annual salary of $20,800,000 whilst Italy has a per capita GDP of $35,289.
That puts the Italian in sixth place on the list overall behind; Manny Pacquiao, Boxer ($32,000,000), Alex Rodriguez, Baseball ($32,000,000), Kimi Raikkonen, World Rally ($26,333,333) and Johan Santana, Baseball ($21,644,707).
So if we ever interview him, the drinks are on him!
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