Remember when Tiger Woods’ sex scandal caused him to retire from golf “indefinitely” and sponsors started running away? His bank account hasn’t even noticed. According to People Magazine, SI.com’s “Fortunate 50″ list of the highest-earning American athletes has ranked Tiger as #1.
Tiger, 34, will earn $90 million in 2010, between his $20 million in sports winnings for 2009 and $70 million in estimated endorsement earnings for 2010 – putting him in the top spot for the seventh straight year. The crazy thing is, the scandal did cost Tiger some cash. He made $22 million less in endorsement money compared to 2009, but his golf winnings last year were greater than in 2008 – leaving him only about $10 million down overall. He may have lost his wife and some respect, but he has a whole lot of cash to cry into.
Second on the list was Tiger’s rival golfer Phil Michelson, with a combined $62 million in earnings. Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. was third with $60 million. NBA star LeBron James, who had to give up some money to play for the Miami Heat next season, was fourth with $46 million. Yankee Alex Rodriguez is the top-earning baseball player, ranking fifth with $37 million.
How are two golfers the highest paid? Who actually watches golf?!
First of all Golf is not an athletic sport…it is a “game”. Takes specialized skill of course, but no athletic prowess or stamina; so to call Woods an athlete is a big misnomer. Athletes sweat, exert, strain, suffer physically…none of which involves golf – a game that can be played by the infirmed, the handicapped, the aged and yes, even the blind.
But, TW is a first class embarrassment to any activity and if the PGA had any courage, it would have barred him for life. To place TW in the same classh as Nicklaus, Player, Arnie, Nelson, etc., is to diminish their accomplishments and allow a person with no integrity to shame the game.
Most of these figures are based on part of last year earnings before the scandal!!! This may change in the future! Tiger Woods is poison for sponsors. His name/ reputation are damaged forever and will be always linked to his sex scandal!!! What business or product wants to be associated with a serial adulterer and liar like Tiger Woods? The only business that could benefit from Tiger’s name now is the porn/ sex business. All Tiger Woods has now is a mediocre Golf game, a Damaged Reputation for the rest of his life and many immoral, spiteful, shameless, money hungry mistresses, that will continue to make his life miserable. What a future!!!