1. Kevin Durant (basketball)

Deal: US$280 million (S$394.3 million) over 10 years with Nike.

The Oklahoma City Thunder star inked a blockbuster, 10-year deal with Nike last year that could be worth up to US$300 million, including royalties.

It was the richest endorsement deal of any active athlete, until James' latest contract signing on Monday.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo (football)

Deal: US$105 million over five years with Nike.

The reigning Fifa Player of the Year is arguably the world's most popular athlete, with 102 million Facebook

and 35 million Twitter followers.

His commercially good looks have landed him the mega sponsorship with Nike.

3. Lionel Messi (football)

Deal: US$140 million over seven years with adidas.

Originally signed with Nike when he was 14, the Argentinian eventually became adidas' biggest marketing star.

A Messi icon line of shoes and apparel launched by adidas has exceeded company sales expectations, even in the United States.

4. Derrick Rose (basketball)

Deal: US$185 million over 13 years with adidas.

The Chicago Bulls star owns the current record for the sponsorship deal with the longest time-span.

However, his injury problems in recent seasons have put the deal in jeopardy.

5. Maria Sharapova (tennis)

Deal: US$70 million over eight years with Nike.

The top-earning female athlete since 2006, her Nike deal - signed in 2010 - is the most lucrative deal ever for a sportswoman, dwarfing the previous record, which was Venus Williams' US$43 million deal with Reebok.

Chia Han Keong