Thursday, June 5, 2008

Sports Illustrated 50 highest-earning athletes in the U.S.



1
Tiger Woods
Pro Golf
Last Year's Rank: 1
$22,902,706
$105,000,000
$127,902,706
With close to $800 million in total earnings on and off the course over his 13-year career, Tiger should become the first billion-dollar athlete in the next two years -- and he's still only 32. See Tiger's sponsors.


2
Phil Mickelson
Pro Golf
Last Year's Rank: 3
$9,372,685
$53,000,000
$62,372,685
Lefty's numbers jump thanks to an extra $2 million in FedEx Cup points in '07 and lucrative appearance fees for his first participation on the Asian Tour in Singapore and Shanghai. See Phil's sponsors.


3
LeBron James
Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA)
Last Year's Rank: 6
$12,455,000
$28,000,000
$40,455,000
King James has earned $167 million during his five seasons in the NBA, and has his eyes on serious entrepreneurship: He counts billionaire Warren Buffett as a role model and friend.

4
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Boxing
Last Year's Rank: 21
$20,000,000
$20,250,000
$40,250,000
It's been a monster year for Pretty Boy, who made $20 million in purse and pay-per-view shares for his fight with Ricky Hatton and another $20 million for his foray into professional wrestling.

5
Kobe Bryant
Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)
Last Year's Rank: 5
$19,490,625
$16,000,000
$35,490,625
How's that for a change of tune? He once criticized his teammates; last month Bryant bought each of them $9,000 Swiss watches as a thank you for helping him win his first MVP award.
Click here to see the rest of the list!!

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