Why Seahawk Russell Wilson left off Forbes highest-paid athletes list

Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson ranked No. 6 in Forbes’ highest-paid athletes of 2019 – here’s why he has fallen off the list in 2020.

Forbes recently came out with their list of the world’s highest-paid athletes and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is no longer on the list.

A total of 31 NFL players made the cut – including Seahawks linebacker  Bobby Wagner – based on a culmination of salaries, bonuses, endorsements, etc.

Here’s Forbes’ explanation for Wilson’s dive in 2020.

“Russell Wilson had the biggest fall,” writes Kurt Badenhausen. “The Seattle Seahawks signal caller ranked No. 6 last year with $80 million, thanks to a blockbuster April 2019 deal that included a $65 million signing bonus, but was a no-show in 2020, with earnings of $15 million, including $10 million off the field. Seattle deferred $35 million of the bonus to 2020, but we credited the QB with the full $65 million on the 2019 list of top earners.”

Forbes listed Wagner at No. 74 on the list with 2020 earnings slated at $25 million as of May 22. $500,000 of that total comes as a result of his sponsorship deals with BodyArmor and Nike.

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