CRAIN'S LIST: TOP-PAID PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES Ranked by salary as of current or most complete season Name, age (as of November 2013) Contract length Rank Team Salary Position Contract terms (years) Contract seasons 1. Calvin Johnson, 28 Detroit Lions $25,000,000 wide receiver $150,500,000 8 2012-2019 2. Prince Fielder B, 29 Detroit Tigers Inc. 23,000,000 first baseman 214,000,000 9 2012-2020 3. Miguel Cabrera, 30 Detroit Tigers Inc. 21,000,000 third baseman 152,300,000 8 2008-2015 4. Justin Verlander, 30 Detroit Tigers Inc. 20,000,000 pitcher 180,000,000 7 2013-2020 5. Matthew Stafford, 25 Detroit Lions 17,800,000 quarterback 76,500,000 5 2013-2017 6. Josh Smith, 27 Detroit Pistons 13,500,000 forward 54,000,000 4 2013-2017 7. Victor Martinez, 34 Detroit Tigers Inc. 13,000,000 designated hitter 50,000,000 4 2011-2014 8. Torii Hunter, 38 Detroit Tigers Inc. 12,000,000 right fielder 26,000,000 2 2013-2014 9. Ndamukong Suh, 26 Detroit Lions 10,300,000 defensive tackle 65,300,000 5 2010-2015 10. Charlie Villanueva, 29 Detroit Pistons 8,580,000 forward 37,700,000 5 2009-2014 11. Rodney Stuckey, 27 Detroit Pistons 8,500,000 guard 25,500,000 3 2011-2014 12. Anibal Sanchez, 29 Detroit Tigers Inc. 8,000,000 starting pitcher 80,000,000 5 2013-2018 13. Brandon Jennings, 24 Detroit Pistons 7,600,000 guard 24,000,000 3 2013-2016 14. Henrick Zetterberg, 33 Detroit Red Wings 7,500,000 forward 73,000,000 12 2009-2021 15. Max Scherzer, 29 Detroit Tigers Inc. 6,725,000 starting pitcher 6,725,000 1 2013 16. Pavel Datsyuk, 35 Detroit Red Wings 6,700,000 forward 46,900,000 7 2007-2014 17. Niklas Kronwall, 32 Detroit Red Wings 6,000,000 defenseman 33,250,000 7 2012-2019 18. Joaquin Benoit, 36 Detroit Tigers Inc. 5,500,000 relief pitcher 16,500,000 3 2011-2013 18. Jimmy Howard, 29 Detroit Red Wings 5,500,000 goalie 31,750,000 6 2013-19 20. Rick Porcello, 24 Detroit Tigers Inc. 5,100,000 relief pitcher 5,100,000 1 2013 21. Stephen Tulloch, 28 Detroit Lions 4,800,000 linebacker 25,500,000 5 2012-2016 22. Jonas Jerebko, 26 Detroit Pistons 4,500,000 forward 18,000,000 4 2011-2015 This list of top-paid professional athletes is an approximate compilation of the highest paid athletes in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston or Washtenaw counties. Information is gathered from Baseball Prospectus, Spotrac.com, ProFootballTalk.com and CapGeek.com. It is not a complete listing but the most comprehensive available. Actual figures may vary. NA = not available. B Traded Nov. 20, 2013, to the Texas Rangers for 2B Ian Kinsler. Detroit also is sending $30 million to the Rangers. LIST RESEARCHED BY BILL SHEA