25 pros who are bringin’ in the big bucks
Crain’s Chicago Business recently released a list of the 25 highest-paid Chicago athletes, and boy, are there a lot of zeros behind those dollar signs.
From the Bulls to the Bears to the Hawks, Cubs, and Sox, these pro athletes repping Chicago have some pretty incredible contracts. Is your favorite team player listed? See for yourself. The top five alone span almost every team.
#1. Dwayne Wade, Bulls
Photo Credit: Hoops Habit
Total income last year: $35.2 million
Last year’s salary: $23.2 million
D-Wade might be one of the newer Chicago transplants, but his status as an NBA champion already puts him high on any list. It’s not just to our standards. Forbes ranked him as one of the highest-paid on the globe. Wade is a household name, one that hopefully turns the team around for the better.
#2. James Shields, White Sox
Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez for USA TODAY Sports, via South Side Showdown
Total income last year: $21.3 million
Last year’s salary: $21 million
Although this White Sox pitcher impressively holds the second spot, his 2016 trade really didn’t pay off for the team in the long-run. Will he stick around? We’ll see. The California native previously played for Tampa Bay, Kansas City, and San Diego.
#3. Jon Lester, Cubs
Photo Credit: Brian Kersey for UPI
Total income last year: $20.9 million
Last year’s salary: $20.4 million
This Chicago Cubs pitcher has held his spot on the team for a decent amount of time, and as we all know, it definitely paid off in last year’s championship, as we’re sure it did for the rest of the team. The Washington native previously played for Boston and Oakland.
#4. Jimmy Butler, Bulls
Photo Credit: Sporting News / Getty Images
Total income last year: $17.6 million
Last year’s salary: $16.4 million
After losing both Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah to the New York Knicks last year, most Chicagoans still feel lucky to have Jimmy Butler holding the team down. This young fan favorite renewed his contract in 2015/2016.
#5. John Lackey, Cubs
Photo Credit: Fansided
Total income last year: $16.4 million
Last year’s salary: $16.4 million
This pitcher from the Cubs has a no-nonsense attitude that got him into the big leagues, and he’s got the talent to show for it. The three-time World Series champ who hails from Texas can surely take some credit for our 2016 win.
Complete list of top 25 athletes:
#6. Jay Cutler, Bears
Total income last year: $16.4 million
Last year’s salary: $16 million
#7. Jason Heyward, Cubs
Total income last year: $15.7 million
Last year’s salary: $15.4 million
#8. Jonathan Toews, Blackhawks
Total income last year: $15.1 million
Last year’s salary: $13.8 million
#9. Patrick Kane, Blackhawks
Total income last year: $14.9 million
Last year’s salary: $13.8 million
#10. Rajon Rondo, Bulls
Total income last year: $14.6 million
Last year’s salary: $14 million
#11. Miguel Montero, Cubs
Total income last year: $14.6 million
Last year’s salary: $14.4 million
#12. Melky Cabrera, White Sox
Total income last year: $14.2 million
Last year’s salary: $14 million
#13. Robin Lopez, Bulls
Total income last year: $13.3 million
Last year’s salary: $13.2 million
#14. Kyle Long, Bears
Total income last year: $13 million
Last year’s salary: $12.5 million
#15. Ben Zobrist, Cubs
Total income last year: $12.9 million
Last year’s salary: $12.4 million
#16. Jake Arrieta, Cubs
Total income last year: $11.7 million
Last year’s salary: $11 million
#17. Alshon Jeffery, Bears
Total income last year: $11.4 million
Last year’s salary: $11.2 million
#18. David Robertson, White Sox
Total income last year: $11.1 million
Last year’s salary: $11 million
#19. Jose Abreu, White Sox
Total income last year: $10.3 million
Last year’s salary: $10 million
#20. Leonard Floyd, Bears
Total income last year: $10.2 million
Last year’s salary: $10.1 million
#21. Danny Trevathan, Bears
Total income last year: $10.1 million
Last year’s salary: $10.1 million
#22. Taj Gibson, Bulls
Total income last year: $9.4 million
Last year’s salary: $9 million
#23. Brent Seabrook, Blackhawks
Total income last year: $9.1 million
Last year’s salary: $9 million
#24. Todd Frazier, White Sox
Total income last year: $7.8 million
Last year’s salary: $7.5 million
#25. Pernell McPhee, Bears
Total income last year: $7.2 million
Last year’s salary: $7.2 million
Source: Original article by Crain’s Chicago Business
Featured Photo Credits: Sporting News / Getty Images; Brian Kersey for UPI
