According to a study done by Forbes, LeBron James was the 15th highest-earning athlete in the world last year at $27.3 million, with $20 million of that coming from endorsements. James is in the first year of his new contract and is the highest-paid Cavaliers' player at $14.4 million, which will jump his overall earnings to about $40 million per year. The Cavs have replaced Nike as James' largest source of income.