Tiger Woods: No Longer Highest Paid Athlete

The reigning world’s highest paid athlete, Tiger Woods, has lost his crown.  This year’s “Fortunate 50” released by Sports Illustrated reflects Woods relinquishing his title for the first time since the publisher started its financial tracking of athletes in 2004.  In fact, Tiger Woods is not even number two in the recent estimates.  That spot goes to rival golfer Phil Mickelson.  

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The report is compiled using a total of the athlete's salary, winnings, bonuses, endorsements and appearance fees.  So who is number one you ask?

Well his nickname should give it away.  It’s none other than the face of professional boxing, Floyd “Money” Mayweather. Mayweather had an outstanding financial year bringing home $40 million in his win over Victor Ortiz in September and $45 million in his most recent fight with Miguel Cotto.    

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Woods has been long battling to maintain sponsors since the news of his infidelities and sex scandal hit the post more than two years ago.  CNN Money shows Woods’ estimated endorsement income dropped from $92 million annually in 2009 to $60 million in 2010 and in 2011, only $54.5 million.

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Several high profile sponsors, such as Gatorade and General Motor’s company Buick jumped ship shortly after the scandal.  Other notables included communications powerhouse AT&T and Gillette.  However Woods’ largest sponsor Nike stuck by his side reportedly paying him $35 million a year throughout the ordeal.  Woods also barely maintained his relationship with video game maker Electronic Arts for the licensing of Tiger Woods PGA Tour, in which he has shared the cover with another athlete or wasn't even on the cover since 2010.    

Fortunately for Tiger, Kobe Bryant has shown us in the sporting world all scandals will be forgotten as long as you win, and Tiger has been doing just that.  He now leads the PGA with three victories this season and with the British Open this weekend in England this could be the major championship that allows Tiger to put the past behind him and make strides towards the top of the highest paid list next year.

In case you were wondering this is how the top 10 looks:

1. Floyd Mayweather
2. Phil Mickelson

3. Tiger Woods

4. Lebron James

5. Kobe Bryant

6. Alex Rodriguez

7. Payton Manning

8. Dale Earnhardt Jr

9. Derek Jeter

10. Larry Fitzgerald

To review the entire list  - Visit the online link here.