12/21/24
May 14, 2004
The Fortunate 50: A list of the highest-paid athletes, combining salary and endorsements.
#7 Agassi made $2.5 million in winnings and $24.5 million in endorsements. I could see the shaggy, mulleted, rebellious Agassi making that kinda cash, but the sleek, humble Agassi? Strange indeed. #10- Grant Hill. That's kinda funny.
posted by crank at 07:19 PM on May 14, 2004
I find it hard to believe neither Michael Schumacher or David Beckham made the top 10. Were they further down the list or was this a US-based list only?
posted by salmacis at 07:27 PM on May 14, 2004
Sal, they certainly don't mention any non-US athletes. Mike Piazza's (No. 14) career may be on the downside at age 35, but his $6.5 million in endorsements ranks first among baseball players. JG's just gonna love this one!
posted by billsaysthis at 08:16 PM on May 14, 2004
I saw this on the late news last night. i don't have a subscription, so i cant see the entire list... Pudge?! what's he endorsing? what i can't figure out... Manny Ramirez is at 12. ARod is at 16.
posted by jerseygirl at 11:35 PM on May 14, 2004
maybe arod will pick up some more endorsements now that he's in a bigger market.
posted by goddam at 12:03 AM on May 15, 2004
I can't believe Schumacher was omitted either. Beckham, okay, if it's a US based list, he's not associated. However much I hate Schumacher, to see him not on that list is pretty sad. F1 is a global sport, and makes a stop in the US every year now... And last I heard MS was right behind Tiger Woods on the earnings list. Just shows what a piece of crap Sports Illustrated is IMO.
posted by Drood at 01:42 PM on May 15, 2004
This list seems woefully incomplete. US only. I'd like to see a list not of each year individually, but total earnings from the start of their careers. Grant Hill at 10 is very funny.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 02:24 PM on May 15, 2004
I can only see the first ten. Any hockey players make the top 50? Okay, probably a stupid question.
posted by Samsonov14 at 02:12 AM on May 16, 2004
I don't think so - Sammy. According to SI, hockey's barely a sport.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 02:43 PM on May 16, 2004
Weedy, SI can fuck themselves. And I think the thousands of screaming throats at Calgary's arena this afternoon (we're at the 2nd intermission as I type) would disagree and use ruder language. But damn, how about those four goals in the period by the Sharks?
posted by billsaysthis at 04:54 PM on May 16, 2004
Just check out forbes instead - they have cute pics: http://www.forbes.com/finance/lists/53/2001/LIR.jhtml?passListId=53&passYear=2001&passListType=Person&uniqueId=PNLA&datatype=Person
posted by Mossy at 06:16 PM on May 16, 2004
Erm, I mean this one: http://www.forbes.com/finance/lists/53/2003/LIR.jhtml?passListId=53&passYear=2003&passListType=Person&uniqueId=5WRJ&datatype=Person
posted by Mossy at 06:17 PM on May 16, 2004
Any hockey players make the top 50? Never mind hockey players, did any women make the top 50? I can't think of any real contenders except maybe the Williams sisters.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 07:23 PM on May 16, 2004
Agreed browny - I'm always interested in the earnings of the super athlete, but I've yet to find a list that seemed remotely inclusive and accurate. Of course - these people aren't just going to turn over their tax returns for all us regular folk to gander.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:43 PM on May 16, 2004
"...did any women make the top 50? I can't think of any real contenders except maybe the Williams sisters." Oh, I'd be willing to bet that Anna Kournikova is earning a hefty amount in endorsements.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 02:43 PM on May 17, 2004
I agree, crash....Anna's deals have nothing to do with her skills, but rather her attributes. Michelle Wie should be up there in a couple of years. Until then, the big $$$ will be going to Pamela, Paris, and now Demi.
posted by garfield at 03:03 PM on May 17, 2004
It's not only just US sports figures, but US sports figures who are also US citizens. Manny got in just under the wire, I guess. For the record, the only women on the list are the Williams sisters with Serena at #23 (17.5 million) and Venus at 41 (15.1 million).
posted by Jugwine at 06:40 PM on May 17, 2004
I'm sorry, I just realized that they only included the top ten - the other 40 are in a pay-only section. The article is interesting anyway.