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The 10 Richest Sports Stars In The World And What They Spend Their Money On
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Dan Fitch /
16 March 2009 /
77 Comments
You know when your parents and teachers told you to forget about trying to earn a living from playing sport and to knuckle down to your studies? Well they were idiots.
We may be in the midst of a global economic meltdown, but the world's top sports stars are still up to their necks in cash.
According to the Forbes list of celebrity wealth, here are the 10 richest sports stars in the world today.
10. Alex Rodriguez - Baseball - $34m per annum
The New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez is the youngest player to have ever hit 500 home runs. In 2007 A-Rod signed a record breaking 10 year, $275 million contract, to become the highest paid player in baseball history. The previous record was his existing contract with the Yankees, which paid $252 million.
In total Rodriguez's career earnings from baseball alone stand at $197,431,586. Add to that his lucrative endorsements with the likes of Nike, Rawlings and Topps and the 33 year old is sitting on a fortune.
Rodriguez divorced last year, amidst claims of an affair with Madonna. Following the split from his wife Cynthia, A-Rod placed their marital home on the market for $14.9 million, though he has since dropped the price to $12.3 million.
This at least proves that the rich and famous aren't entirely impervious to the credit crunch, but I think he'll get by.
9. Roger Federer - Tennis - $35m per annum
Roger Federer's ATP ranking may have slipped from world number 1 down to number 2, but Rafael Nadal still has some way to go before he can top the Swiss star in terms of earnings.
Having won 13 Grand Slam titles, Federer has coined millions in prize money and has sponsorship deals with Nike, Rolex and Gillette. His marketing company have claimed that Federer is the wealthiest tennis player of all time and he has been named as one of the 300 wealthiest people in Switzerland (an area where the neighbours tend to have a little dough).
Unlike some of his sporting contemporaries, Federer has kept his feet on the ground. In a 2007 interview with Sports Illustrated he admitted to not even owning a house.
8. Ronaldinho - Soccer - $37m per annum
Like Federer, Brazilian soccer legend Ronaldinho has been upstaged by young upstarts such as Messi, Ronaldo and Kaka in recent years, but he's still sitting pretty from the days when he was widely accepted as the greatest player in the world.
Ronaldinho has enjoyed massive contacts with soccer giants Barcelona and present club AC Milan, as well as commercial deals with Nike, Pepsi and Cadbury Schweppes. It is arguable that it has been the contentedness that comes with such wealth, which has been responsible for Ronaldinho's loss of form.
Still, at least the money has allowed an ugly guy like Ronaldinho to sleep with hundreds of beautiful women and live in this amazing house.
7. LeBron James - Basketball - $38m per annum
LeBron James was never going to be short of money from the day that he signed a $90 million contract with Nike, before he'd even made his professional debut. LeBron was the first pick in the 2003 NBA draft, joining the Cleveland Cavaliers.
At 24 years old, married to his childhood sweetheart and a father of two, clean cut LeBron is a marketing man's dream. James has stated that he intends to become the world's first billionaire athlete.
The home he is currently building is certainly fit for a billionaire. At 35,000 square foot, it's certainly roomy. Having knocked down the pre-existing 11 bedroom house on the site, LeBron's mansion will include a full size casino, a six-car garage and bowling alley.
6. Kobe Bryant - Basketball - $39m per annum
Kobe Bryant plays his basketball in Los Angeles and only a select few of Hollywood's great and good can claim to earn more than the Lakers' shooting guard.
Bryant saw many of his endorsement deals ripped up after he was accused of rape in 2003. The exception was Nike, who had just signed him to a 5-year $45 million contract prior to the incident. In addition to this, he is signed to a 6-year $71 million deal with the Lakers.
After the rape accusation, Bryant bought his wife Vanessa a $4 million diamond ring as an apology. It must be nice to get out of the doghouse so easily. Most of us would be on dishwashing duty for at least a month.
![VanessaB[1]](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3585/3360317370_f310703bcf.jpg)
5. Kimi Raikkonen - Formula One - $44m per annum
Kimi Raikkonen became the highest paid man in motor racing when he joined the Ferrari team in a three year deal and earned his money when he walked away with the Formula One World Drivers' Championship in his first season.
The Finnish driver leads something of a playboy lifestyle and in 2005 got into trouble with his former employers on the McClaren team, when he began cavorting with a lapdancer at a London club, before embarking on his own strip show
Raikkonen is now settled down and married to Jenni Dahlman, a former Miss Scandinavia. Well, she would be enough to see anyone onto the straight and narrow.
4. Phil Mickelson - Golf - $45m per annum
If there was no one on earth named Tiger Woods, then Phil Mickelson would undoubtedly be even higher up this list. Mickelson picked up $10 million in prize money and $35 million in appearance and sponsorship fees.
Mickelson is something of a serial endorser, having given his name to Ford, Rolex and Callaway golf clubs amongst others. He has earned far more off the course than on it, but at least he spends his advertising bounty the right way.
In 2007, after hearing the story of retired NFL player Conrad Dobler and his family on ESPN explaining their struggles to pay medical bills, Mickelson volunteered to pay for Conrad's daughter Holli's college education at Miami University in Ohio.
3. Michael Jordan - Basketball - $45 m
Michael Jordan edges ahead of Mickelson on this list, despite earning roughly the same amount of money, due to the fact that he has actually retired from professional sport.
These days Jordan works as head of basketball operations for the Charlotte Bobcats, but the vast bulk of his income comes from royalties from the $800 million a year in sales of the Nike Jordan brand.
It's no wonder then that Jordan can be so free with how he spends his money. In 2005 author Richard Esquinas claimed he had won $1.25 million from Jordan on the golf course. In 2006 Jordan divorced his wife Juanita, who received a $168 million settlement.
2. David Beckham - Soccer - $50m
David Beckham is a global marketing phenomenon. Despite being a very good, rather than truly great soccer player, Beckham has amassed a huge fortune, due to his film star looks.
Though Beckham's base salary with LA Galaxy was only $5.5 million, the figure was more than doubled with his cut of the team's ticket, merchandise and sponsorship revenues. Add endorsements with Adidas, Motorola and Pepsi, to name just a few and Beckham has a huge yearly income.
Despite having recently signed a deal to spend much of his time playing on loan for AC Milan, Beckham obviously sees a future in the US, as he has recently stated that he might buy his own MLS franchise. Beckham lives in a $22 million mansion, in a gated community near to the home of Tom Cruise.
Unlike most famous sportsmen, his wife actually earns money, rather than just spending his. In 2007, Victoria was paid $20 million for the Spice Girls reunion tour. She is the 52nd richest woman in Britain.
1. Tiger Woods - Golf - $115 m
Eldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods, has won 14 major golf championships and 65 PGA tour events. Ranked as the number 1 golfer in the world, Woods is thought by many to be greatest player of all time.
He's also one of the most marketable. In 2000 he signed a 5-year $105 million contract with Nike, which at the time was the largest endorsement deal ever made by an athlete. Tiger also has deals with American Express, Buick, TAG Heuer and EA Sports, amongst many others.
Woods' company Tiger Woods Design creates golf courses around the world. The Tiger Woods Dubai will open in September of this year and features a a 7,700-yard par-72 course, a 60,000-square-foot clubhouse, a golf academy, 320 exclusive villas and a boutique hotel with 80 suites. There are further plans afoot to open golf courses in North Carolina and Kariba in Zimbabwe, with the latter expecting to cost $608 million.
According to Golf Digest, Woods made $769,440,709 from 1996 to 2007 and that by the end of the decade he will become the first athlete to have made over a billion dollars. If LeBron James thinks he can really pip Tiger to that title, then he'd better start buying lottery tickets.
Below is the very modest clubhouse at the Tiger Woods Dubai.
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K. | 17 March 2009
Damm!!!
Will | 17 March 2009
Great post, I wonder where some of the other F1 drivers rank.
WHK | 17 March 2009
How is Michael Schumacher not on this list? I'm pretty sure he's wealthier than Tiger. And if Jordan, who's retired, is on the list, I cannot understand why Schumi isn't.
Nemo | 17 March 2009
Nice post. Of this list it is a shame that the one at the top may have used performance drugs to get him there.
nick | 17 March 2009
I believe that the home in Ronaldinhos section actualy belongs to Tiger Woods.
Adi | 17 March 2009
Great post was thinking of this myself
Debbie | 18 March 2009
I can tell you what Tiger doesnt spend his money on and that is gratuity. The man doesnt tip AT ALL. Go figure all that money and he can't tip for services rendered. I guess he doesnt understand gratuitous employees do not make a high hourly wage because they are supposed to receive a gratuity.
Looney | 18 March 2009
WHK: It's an annual income list, not a wealth list. Jordan is still making oodles of money after retirement, thanks to Nike Air Jordans. Schumacher made lots of money while active, but hasn't done that much since he retired.
TKA | 19 March 2009
I believe Buick either dropped or significantly cut back Tiger's endorsement deal recently due to GM's financial troubles.
I'm sure Tiger will manage to get by, but I thought you guys might want to point that out...
tatsa | 01 June 2009
i love lebron james and i do pray that he gets to the top one day.am his fan and i like his courage,he is the most determine player in NBA.i love him but i don't know why they said his age is only 24.
Konvict | 16 June 2009
When was this last updated?? Federer has now won 48 mil and should be in the top 3'z...
phillip kulera | 04 July 2009
wow..Tiger Woods wants to build a golf course in Kariba Zimbabwe..dats my home..town..wow dat would be so great..good on you tiger..
Joda ibrahim | 17 May 2010
I don't agree with the list,christiano ronaldo need to be included.
sunny francis | 22 May 2010
woods seems to be taking residence yearly at the no.1 spot.....wooow
Zeeshan Badini | 29 May 2010
Its my pleasure to see the most richest sports man in the world i want to say just few words that is good give you lot of money and success in your life my simple msg for all sports persons that please remember poor people in your success and to help them because we are not able to good give us more and more.
Thank Regard
Zeeshan Badini
Pakistan Quetta.
Goke Olaniyan | 06 June 2010
Please tell me,that Messi and C.Ronaldo are not there,what a great.
lowell mayson | 16 December 2010
why is christiano ronaldo not in the first ten ranking?
Roger Rabbit | 03 January 2011
This list is for entertainment, it is incredibly difficult to calculate earnings with all the endorsements and so on.... maybe some of those guys should have been on the list but it is an interesting article any way
GBENRO WILLIAMS | 10 February 2011
Tiger still number despite what happen to him last year.I wonder why michael schumacher is not there....
syed ahmed | 24 February 2011
i wonder wer r the other soccer players.Christiano Ronaldo should be there atleast
Innocent Chikonzo | 27 February 2011
wel im glad tht Tiger is at the top of the list,he is the best golfer ive ever seen in my life and he wants to build a golf in Kariba Zim nw thts news.
yash thakur | 12 March 2011
i wonder why Sachin Tendulkar................the greatest cricketer of all time is missing from the list!!! Damn:(
sharweshwar haritash | 18 March 2011
where is The Lord o f cricket Sachin
sss | 12 April 2011
Why not here in little master the god of cricket
Paps | 19 April 2011
Hey! ma main man Messi isn't that poor!!!!
Anonymous | 19 April 2011
lebron was never married...
ANDY | 20 April 2011
MICHEAL SHUMACHER MUST BE THERE AT NO 2
naruto | 21 April 2011
sachin is not in the list cuz cricketers r nowhere as rich as baseball,basketball,golf,soccer or tennis players n all these sports r global sports except maybe for baseball which is played only in America n few Asian countries like Japan. Don't expect any cricketers to be in the list while even C.Ronaldo n Messi r out. Cricket will never be that big n don't brag about having large viewers cuz i know all those viewers r mostly from 1 billion populated India which does not make it a global sport.
Anonymous | 21 April 2011
This is crazy considering it doens't include the money they make from endorsements.
saif | 29 April 2011
sachin is definetly the richest sportsman ever,i am very sure that Tiger is no where near him.Remember Sachin is playing from the 80'S.He makes the Bulk of his money from endorsments and TV ads...N.B ALL SPORTS STARS BUY FERRARIS,HE WAS THE ONLY SPORTSMAN TO BE GIVEN ONE FOR FREE FROM FERRARI
Anonymous | 05 May 2011
love kobe bryant
Pal | 06 May 2011
Sachin may not b d richest.but he is d greatest sports man in d world.
UK Hatton | 13 May 2011
my friend manny pacquiao should be there..
Edwin | 14 May 2011
Christaino ronaldo is suppose 2 b on dat list.
ridwan | 14 May 2011
i think messi should be in this list .
arun vishwambharan | 15 May 2011
i wish my friend shubhdeep meshta will be thr in top 100 atleast next year:-P
Sunny | 20 May 2011
IPL's revenue ie more than NBA, MLB or Wimbledon (second only to NFL). I am surprised that no cricket players are in the list.
Bolaji sobukonla | 31 May 2011
Why is tiger wood not on top the ranking table. Dont tell me that nadal is not there
satya | 04 June 2011
sachin is d grest player in world.....and he is also d richest.....
ala | 06 June 2011
where is cristiano ronaldo
Anonymous | 07 June 2011
where is manny pac
quio???
seif | 14 June 2011
ronaldo chris should atleast be number 10 in the list, or time is comin 4 him lets wait
Adebayo afeez | 19 June 2011
I'm surprised to see ronaldinho in the list.
football fanatic | 21 June 2011
cricket in trms of globalisation is nower near football or tennis....christiano ronaldo n nadal ought 2 b der....
Olawale afeez | 22 June 2011
I surprise to see messi in list
FRANK PASTORY.Y. | 25 June 2011
Seeing Tiger on da list it doesn't suprise me.But when it comes to Ronaldihno my eyes are widely open with fear and shock.
Marti cranky | 02 July 2011
fedex 9 not thruth
albert | 03 July 2011
cricket is global sport too and cricketers should in include in the list
jude andrews | 04 July 2011
lebron james rocks !!!!!
Bdx | 21 July 2011
schum' suppose to be in the list definitly, who knows the updater might be tigers fans anyway, its a nice breakdown, still a bit confused about why christiano should be excluded..
KAB | 26 July 2011
I think it is so sad that so many are making such ridiculous amounts of money while so many are struggling to have food or shelter each week. Granted, you do something great, get a good pay, but do you really need your own casino or bowling alley in your own home? Wouldn't it be interesting if we shook our heads at those that made so much money instead of idolized them? There is more to life than money and fame. Love, giving, friendships, good deeds. Why are they not paid big buck for?
Dilraj | 28 July 2011
Cricket may nt b s famous as futball bt its rapidly catching popularity. . Im sure in d near future der wil be many cricketers in d list
mikemaloy maluya | 28 July 2011
where are the boxing superstars there?????do you know that boxing superstars like manny pacquiao earned millions of dollars through pay per view.....????i think MANNY pacman PACQUIAO is on the list in terms of endorsements from local and international brands...and his currently congressman in his country....go , go , kabayans.......
gabriel rihard | 11 August 2011
becky u're too good i love you 4real.up galacticos,up madrid up white angel,up los merengues.up jose.
Lawal ibrahim olatunde | 19 August 2011
I should be personaly included > $15m per annum Rugby player club lilolalicama izalikaliboo!
sri | 21 August 2011
sachin the god in india, no need to be richest
Busari mahbub | 29 August 2011
This is g8!
Taophic | 31 August 2011
I beleive messi will soon be in the first ten.
minsang | 09 September 2011
these rankings look very funny and unreal damn to these informations
Tom | 09 September 2011
Samuel Eto'o will be the top payed soccer player now so this list will needs to be remade
awfkenny | 10 September 2011
the problems of the world is created by the overvalue of a few over the undervalue of many.
Lucky ayo | 11 September 2011
If u think the update is wrong pls try and do your research. Congrate to ronaldinho
Anonymous | 03 October 2011
OSCAR DELAHOYA?!?!?!?!?
how the hell is he not there?
Remmy | 18 October 2011
I will soon be read on intenet as the richest... watch out for me....
Anil Raulo | 14 November 2011
This is a list of 2009 in todays 2011 Federer is No2 with 65mil & since the rise of Mahendra Singh Dhoni hes the Richest Cricketer in world he ate Sachin in Brand values Sachin is nowhere near him & Dhoni is in the 9th spot in 2011 i guess. all Sachin did is he made Centuries in which India loose 90% of matches but during MS.Dhonis captaincy Indias winning 90% of matches so whose greater hear.
Mohammed bello | 17 November 2011
this is a list made in 2009 does it cover up to, two years after? cos we are in 2011 and, a lot have change.
akash | 29 December 2011
wre does ms dhoni gone????al i cn say dat its fake,,,
raymond m | 29 December 2011
tiger is a very great man.
Diphehli joel sekgobela | 03 January 2012
Am going to be a richest businessman one day with positive mind towards my works
egbinola adeyemi | 21 January 2012
My name will soon be among them.
Gooxy | 19 February 2012
Hey u gents hw re u making tha kind of cash but i wonder were rick ross's money is fitting he is th best nd blowing money fast *rozay
naman gupta | 13 March 2012
i m fan of you tiger wood
jerry | 18 March 2012
I'm really happy with the list but I know very soon my man c.ronaldo will def be among da top ten someday.....
rocky | 18 March 2012
tiger wood is a man who is richest sport man till now.
Anonymous | 19 March 2012
i'm shocked for not seeing sachin tendulkar's name in the list,the god of cricket
barry buckley | 04 April 2012
what bout the little boxing king, floyd money Mayweather? His name isn't money for notting!!!!!
Anonymous | 04 April 2012
Why is christiano & messi absent