The top 100 CEO’s earn a combined $3.0 billion a year. The 100 companies they run employ tens of millions of people, with revenues of $7.7 trillion. The CEO’s are paid 0.04% of these company’s revenues. Despite their huge responsibilities, they are reviled by many for their income.
The top 100 athletes earn a combined $3.1 billion a year. The teams they play for employ thousands of people. Total revenue for the ENTIRE sporting industry worldwide is $130 billion. The top 100 players make 2.2% of all sporting revenue in the world. They are worshiped by many of the same people who hate CEOs, despite having higher incomes and far fewer responsibilities than CEOs.
SOURCES:
http://www.forbes.com/athletes/list
https://aflcio.org/paywatch/highest-paid-ceos
http://www.pwc.com/en_GX/gx/hospitality-leisure/pdf/changing-the-game-outlook-for-the-global-sports-market-to-2015.pdf