50 Highest Paid Athletes

[Danny White]

Before peeking, can you guess who's number 1?

Here's a hint... it includes endorsements, and this guy is lapping the field.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/more/specials/fortunate50/2007/

As an aside, I can't believe how much the Mavs are still paying Finley!!! Wow... writing those checks has to be painful for Cuban.

 

[joseephuss]

I guessed Tiger Woods, but I had no idea he got that much in endorsements. I knew he got a lot, but not that much. Wow, that $100 million is incredible.

Basketball is the way to go if an athlete has a choice. You don't even have to be that good. Several of those basketball players listed aren't even the top players on their own teams much less the entire NBA. They also aren't very likable based on their low endorsement deals.

 

[Danny White]

Basketball is the way to go if an athlete has a choice. You don't even have to be that good. Several of those basketball players listed aren't even the top players on their own teams much less the entire NBA. They also aren't very likable based on their low endorsement deals.

It's the small rosters, I guess.

I can't believe how much the baseball players make.

 

[Hostile]

Not peeking, Tiger Woods by a mile.

 

[Mavs Man]

Before peeking, can you guess who's number 1?

Here's a hint... it includes endorsements, and this guy is lapping the field.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/more/specials/fortunate50/2007/

As an aside, I can't believe how much the Mavs are still paying Finley!!! Wow... writing those checks has to be painful for Cuban.

$100 million a year for Tiger! That's amazing.

It's sad. The Mavs and Rangers are paying over $20 million a year combined for A-Rod and Michael Finley. Thankfully Finley comes off the books after next season.

 

[Mavs Man]

Basketball is the way to go if an athlete has a choice. You don't even have to be that good. Several of those basketball players listed aren't even the top players on their own teams much less the entire NBA. They also aren't very likable based on their low endorsement deals.

It depends on what position you play. Chris Young (former Rangers pitcher - currently with the Padres) had a choice between being a possible starting pitcher in baseball or a career backup PF in the NBA (the Kings were courting him - hey, nice unintentional pun). He chose baseball, where you can make outrageous money even if you're a bit player - and your career can last nearly 20 years.

 

[Rampage]

6 new york yankees on that list......pathetic

 

[Achozen]

I wish I was Jalen Rose.

He makes 18 Mill just to sit on the bench.

 

[kTXe]

It's disgusting that Michelle Wie makes that much money despite never having won ANYTHING.

 

[Mavs Man]

It's disgusting that Michelle Wie makes that much money despite never having won ANYTHING.

But it explains why she keeps trying to make the cut on the men's tour.

$$$

 

[kTXe]

But it explains why she keeps trying to make the cut on the men's tour.

$$$

Yup, if I was in her shoes, I'd be doing the same thing. I put the blame on those giving her the sponsor exemptions. Seriously, she still hasn't won on the LPGA tour...she's not ready to play with the men.

 

[peplaw06]

Last time I saw something like this I thought Michael Schumacher and David Beckham were way up there too. I guess this list is for Americans or for American sports/leagues.

Schumacher is retired I think now, but he made over $80 million in 2004. Beckham was pulling in $35 million or so for that year also.

But yeah, none of em are close to Tiger.

 

[silverbear]

I guessed Tiger Woods, but I had no idea he got that much in endorsements. I knew he got a lot, but not that much. Wow, that $100 million is incredible.

But not surprising... like Michael Jordan, he combines an exceptional athletic talent with a likeability that translates well into commercial endorsments... in fact, in both cases, I liked their commercials better than I liked them as competitors (perhaps because the media crammed both of them down my throat so relentlessly)...

 

[Mavs Man]

Last time I saw something like this I thought Michael Schumacher and David Beckham were way up there too. I guess this list is for Americans or for American sports/leagues.

Schumacher is retired I think now, but he made over $80 million in 2004. Beckham was pulling in $35 million or so for that year also.

But yeah, none of em are close to Tiger.

If you continue through the top 50 there's a link for the top 20 international players. Not surprisingly, I think over half were for soccer ("football") players.