Throughout history, athletes have had a long tradition as being known as big time party animals. We can date all the way back to the times of the ancient Roman's and the stories of the gladiators and their drinking and womanizing days. In more modern history there are athletes like Babe Ruth, who was rumored to have drank over 20 beers the night before a double header. Even more modern are athletes like Joe Namath and Muhammad Ali, who were both know for their party  lifestyles almost as much as for their greatness as athletes.

Today athletes have more money than ever before. Having more money and access to more things allows them to see and do things most people will never have the chance to experience. It is no secret that athletes often times like to spend money of frivolous things, so to be part of an athlete posse and get to partake in some of these kinds of activities would be quite the experience. Today we will take a look at the 15 current athletes who would be the funnest to party with. There are a few obvious choices, but there are also some athletes who you may not expect to be as wild as crazy as they really are. With money, fame, friends, and access to party favors, some of these athletes should become professional partiers instead of athletes.

15 15. Rory McIlroy

This 27-year-old Irish golf superstar seems to have been around for at least a decade already. McIlroy already has four major golf championships under his belt and appears to be a top contender for years to come. He also has quite a party resume to his name as well. In 2014 during the Ryder Cup, McIlroy had helped his team defeat Team USA. After the tournament was over, the party started. McIlroy along with some of his own teammates went to the Team USA group and partied the night away. The night appeared to be full of drunken debauchery. McIlroy himself was seen shirtless and wearing a kilt, along with a bright pink wig. When asked about the events of the night, Rory claimed to have no memory of what happened, why it happened or how it happened. This is just one sample of the kind of raging the young Irishman is capable of. Rory has also been seen at many celebrity laden parties in his day as well as being linked to some of the most beautiful women in sports, including ex-finance and tennis star Caroline Wozniaki.

14 14. Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo is arguably the most famous athlete in the world. He is also one of the richest athletes in the world, that combo alone makes him a person you would not mind hanging out with. The stories of Ronaldo's 30th birthday party were featured in a bio-pic about him recently. The party came on the heels of him and his team getting a 4-0 beatdown, and fans of Real Madrid were not too pleased about the jovial scene just hours after the team's embarrassing performance. Ronaldo didn't seem to care much at the time.

In early 2016 Ronaldo took a vacation and brought his friends. The crew was spotted on a luxury yacht which included several bedrooms, indoor and outdoor cafeterias, and several bars. Also on the boat were several beautiful women. Ronaldo has the money to spend and it also appears he has the personality to use the money the right way. At 31 years old, Cristiano seems to have found the perfect maturity to create a relaxed, enjoyable party scene wherever he goes.

13 13. Patrick Kane

At 27 years old, the Blackhawks right Wwinger is arguably the best player in the NHL. He is a starkly contrasted partier than our last entry. Kane is more the wild drinker party guy. In 2012 Patrick went out for a night on the town in Madison, Wisconsin. The first hilarious thing he did was, he showed up to the bar with a custom made shirt. The shirt had a picture of himself in what can only be described as a drunken state. That night Kane got himself into a little hot water when he was ultimately accused of choking a woman. Kane reportedly showed up to the bar sober, but was blacked out drunk in only a couple hours. Witnesses say he was kicked out of the bar for being belligerent.

That same weekend Kane was reportedly thrown out of a UW frat party, the story has been morphed and twisted but there are pictures showing about 10 college kids trying to escort Kane to the door of the frat house. Kane seems to be able to balance party with work, just last season Kane won the NHL Hart Trophy, which is awarded to the player deemed most valuable to his team.

12 12. Michael Phelps

The man, the myth, the legend. Michael Phelps has won more Olympic medals than any athlete in the history of the games. In his three Olympic games, Phelps has won a total of 22 medals including a world record, 18 golds. Phelps has somehow been able to pull of this amazing Olympic career while still finding time to have fun and cut loose. Phelps claimed he was retiring from Olympic competition after the 2012 games. Upon that claim, Phelps threw himself a party to celebrate his retirement, where else would a guy like Phelps have such a party? Las Vegas, of course. Phelps along with dozens of family and friends, including poker legend Phil Hellmuth were present to celebrate.

The party had all the ingredients needed for a great time. Booze was flowing, the women were wearing their best bikinis, and the sun was shining. Rumors that Michael won over $100,000 at the blackjack table surfaced after the weekend was through, but Phelps denied the rumor. At the height of his powers, back in 2008 a photo surfaced of Phelps smoking what appeared to marijuana out of a bong. Phelps admitted to taking part in the bong circle, and three years later he dominated the Olympics once again. Phelps has unretired and will be participating in his 5th Olympic games in 2016.

11 11. Alex Ovechkin

Since being drafted first overall in 2004 by the Washington Capitals, Alexander Ovechkin has been one of the top players in the NHL. During his 12 years in the NHL he has given himself plenty of reasons to party. During the offseason, Alex usually heads back home to Russia where anything goes. In a documentary about his life, Ovechkin is seen driving his Lamborghini over 120 miles per hour to a McDonald's. Once he got there he proceeded to buy everyone in the restaurant food, including himself. He got one of everything on the menu.

There is also a video of him and Mike Green racing around the Verizon Center in golf carts, and at one point the two are almost decapitated by a closing garage door. There is no shortage of females in Ovechkin's life either. Alex is known for inviting women to his parties, but usually only Russian women; he once said that American women need to hit the gym a little more. There is one thing we know for sure about this wild Russian rockstar, he would be a blast to hangout with.

10 10. Mario Balotelli

This 25-year-old Italian soccer superstar is already a veteran of the party scene. In 2013 Milan spent over $15 million to acquire Super Mario's services. He started slow that season, but that did not prevent him from being an all-star partier. Hours after a tough 2-1 loss at the hands of Chelsea, Balotelli was spotted at various nightclubs in Britain. Balotelli was seen leaving the last club shortly after 4:30 in the morning with a flashy black suede outfit, trying to cover his face with his hood. As a 21-year-old, Mario made headlines when he racked up the highest bar tab ever at the famous Ocean Beach Club in Ibiza. The exact amount Mario spent was not released but it is speculated that he dropped over $20,000 in one night at the club. Balotelli has also been linked to some of the most beautiful women in the world, including the mother of his child, Raffaella Fico.

9 9. Tony Romo

To be the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys means you are instantly a super celebrity, and Tony Romo has lived up to those expectations gloriously. Romo has been one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL for a decade now, and he seemingly is at the top of his game right now. He also at the top of his party game. Besides the countless rounds of golf Romo has played with fellow celebrities Justin Timberlake and Jordan Spieth among others, he has gets invited to some pretty cool parties. Romo has been to several White House Correspondents Dinners, included the one time he took over the DJ booth after midnight and blasted Guns N' Roses for the crowd.

There is also the Tony Romo Fantasy Football Camp in Las Vegas, which the NFL shut down. During the fantasy camp Romo planned on hosting the campers in Las Vegas, showing them a good time, and all the while, talking fantasy football strategy with them. The NFL of course has shut Romo's camp down, saying it interferes with the integrity of the game.

8 8. Alex Rodriguez

A-Rod has been a professional baseball player for over 20 years now, and he has fined tuned his party scene. As a youngster, Rodriguez used to hangout with fellow star athletes and go to club, pick up girls, spend money on booze and VIP treatment. As he got a little older, A-Rod began to run with the wrong crowds, he was repeatedly seen with the Balco villains, as well as some other shady characters, including poker brat Phil Hellmuth. Rodriguez was even reported to have been playing in some high stakes poker games with Hellmuth, now that could be fun.

Recently A-Rod seems to have toned his recklessness down a bit, but he certainly still enjoys himself. As a humbled 40-year old man, Rodriguez spent his 40th birthday celebration with teammates and friends at a nightclub in Texas. Pictures surfaced of he and teammate C.C. Sabathia enjoying some nice cigars with the table in the background fully covered in empty cups. Rodriguez has become the old wise uncle we all enjoy having a glass of bourbon with and reminiscing about the old days.

7 7. J.R. Smith

What more can I say

A photo posted by JR Smith (@teamswish) on

We all saw J.R. Smith live without a shirt for three days after the Cleveland Cavaliers won the NBA championship. We all have seen the hundreds of tattoos that cover Smith's body. We all remember the 'pipe' message J.R. sent to the women. Smith is one of the rare breed of athletes who can party hard during his time away from the court but still be highly effective on it. While he was with the Knicks, Smith was a regular at Greenhouse, an upscale night club in N.Y.C.

Smith has done it all in his decade plus in the NBA. He has been a 6th man of the year, as well as an NBA champion, but he will always be one of the great parties the NBA has ever know. It is obvious by his celebrations on the court that he knows how to have a good time. Smith is also known for sharing his wealth with his friends, and he enjoys showing the good times on social media. Smith is the selfie king of NBA players.

6 6. Johnny Manziel

Johnny Manziel is the kind of guy you can only party with for a weekend at a time, or else you might never recover. Manziel has no chill. He has yet to show why he was drafted in the first round by the Cleveland Browns, but he has shown several times why he is the kind of guy you want to party with. There is the time he showed up to Browns practice inebriated, then just days later was seen with a blonde wig and a fake mustache partying in a Las Vegas club. There was the time he rented a $4.5 million home in Los Angeles for the weekend and racked up over $20,000 in damages. There is the time he was seen in a Las Vegas pool looking like a skeleton who hadn't slept in 3 weeks. There is the time he partied for 3 days at Coachella. The list of crazy parties Manziel has been part of is seemingly endless, the money seems to never stop for Johnny. One thing is for sure though, if he doesn't get his head at least slightly straight, his NFL career could be over before it even begins.

5 5. Klay Thompson

As the son of a professional athlete, Klay Thompson has grown up around celebrities and extravagant parties. Klay has found what he enjoys at an early age. He seems to enjoy having some drinks, spending time in the pool, and always, always, always being surrounded by beautiful women. Klay is not just a drinker, however, during his days as Washington State University, Thompson was popped for marijuana in his dorm room. Thompson fessed up to the charges and took the punishment like a man. Now an adult Thompson seems to have found his groove. The number of pictures and stories of Thompson courting beautiful women to his pool parties is exceptional, and anyone would be ecstatic to join in on those events. The topper for Klay might have come after the Warriors won the championship in 2015. The celebration lasted long after the final whistle of the game. Klay and some teammates had a pool party at the Aria in Las Vegas, Thompson put on an impromptu underwater twerking party with him and 2 beautiful women, later that same day, Thompson posted a video of him pounding Moet while 2 other beautiful women were getting loose along side him.

4 4. Tom Brady

'The Golden Boy' ranks in at number 4. Tom Brady is one of the most famous people in America, and he has the phone numbers of almost anyone you would ever want to party with. Tom Brady was invited to the Met Gala, which is one of the liveliest fund raisers in the world. Brady and his beautiful wife were invited to attend the nearly impossible to get into event, but Brady decided he would rather vacation in Cuba instead; must be nice. Brady enjoys the more relaxed party life; he frequently vacations with family and teammates to the more remote vacations spots in the world.

However, Brady is no stranger to the club life either. After winning the Super Bowl in 2015, Brady was filmed breaking it down on the dance floor, even showing up teammate Rob Gronkowski. Always a team first guy, Brady went with Gronk, and fellow teammate Julian Edelman on a private jet to the Kentucky Derby in 2015 as well. The trio posed for photos in their wild Derby outfits, usually with drinks in hand. It is clear Brady tries to keep a clean cut image for the public, but under that shell is a man who enjoys a good time.

3 3. LeBron/Wade/CP3/Melo

The banana boat crew. These four NBA superstars are as close as brothers, and they routinely take trips together, and those trips look amazing! This summer, these boys, minus Melo, went on a yacht  trip together with their wives, and videos were shared. Wade and his wife Gabrielle Union had the most controversial videos release on Snapchat. Union is seen giving the universal symbol for... well you will just have to find the video and see for yourself. There is no denying that a group of successful, mature, grounded, and rich young athletes can throw a party. There are rumors swirling all over NBA circles that these four superstars are planning on teaming up after the 2016-17 season. If that happens we can expect to see many more snaps and many more parties for these guys and their friends and family.

2 2. Floyd Mayweather

'Money' Mayweather got his nickname for a reason. This man has a lot of money, and he enjoys spending it on fun things. He has spent over $30 million on cars alone. He is a regular at all the swanky Las Vegas strip clubs, where he routinely makes it rain, to the tune of thousands of dollars per visit. It was reported that he and some of his friends spent over $50,000 in one night at a strip club in Miami, but I guess that is nothing when your net worth is estimated at $650 million. Floyd owns his own private jet so he can get to the parties on time, even though we all know, the party doesn't start til Floyd shows up anyway.

The stories of Mayweather winning upwards of a million dollars in Vegas have been bouncing around for years. He routinely parties with Justin Beiber, 50 Cent, DJ Khalid, and anyone else who is able to get on his level. Mayweather seems to spend more money that anyone out there, and maybe beyond even his own means, but he somehow always comes out unscathed, so for now all we can do is admire this party legend.

1 1. Rob Gronkowski

Gronk is the ultimate bro. On top of being the best tight end in football, Gronkowski seems to be one of the coolest athletes there is. He grew up with four brothers and Rob is the second youngest. His entire family is athletic and they are also very into the party lifestyle. This past winter Gronk threw what he called the Gronk Party Ship. It was basically a 4-day party boat. Fans could buy tickets and join the boat with the Gronkowskis and friends, along with live music and open bar. Gronk was able to get Wacka Flocka Flame, and Flo Rida among others. The boat featured 13 different bars, 12 different dinning options, spas, a casino, and even a bowling alley. This party was incredible.

Some guests recounted the adventure by saying, "Let me just say however “bro” you think this sounds, amplify it by 20 and it still probably isn’t enough to accurately describe it. Toward the end of the show, Gronk had a crew of about 30 girls on stage dancing, jumping and twerking to their hearts’ content." Rob is planning on doing this event every year, so if you are financially able, you could actually party with the number 1 partier in sports! Make it happen.