Modern sports and money are inseparable
concepts. Athletes in various sports earn
their incomes from various ways, matches
and competitions, winning, brand
endorsements, advertising, including
having their own businesses and brands.
Find out who are the top 10 richest
sportsmen in the world.
Who is the richest sport man in the world?
Legendary basketball player Michael
Jordan is the richest sportsman
according to the Forbes rating published
on the official website of the magazine.
The American's income is estimated at
$1.85 billion.
The second place in the ranking is
occupied by golfer Tiger Woods at $1.7
billion. The top three is closed by
another golf player, Arnold Palmer at
$1.4 billion.
Cristiano Ronaldo took the 12th position
in the list, Cristiano Ronaldo net worth
is $725 million. "Barcelona" forward
Lionel Messi is on the 16th place with
$600 million.
So, let's return to our list and find out
who are top 10 richest sportsmen in the
world.
1. Michael Jordan (basketball) - $1.85 billion
Michael Jordan is a man whose name
has long been a true symbol of
basketball. He is one of the main NBA
players who eventually turned into a
figure of the world scale. Do not think
that his career was simple. Making his
way to the very top, Michael went
through many different tests and
therefore really deserved the right to be
called best of the best.
Our hero played only in two
professional clubs: Chicago Bulls and
Washington Wizards. As part of these
teams, he was a real star, and therefore
a huge number of personal and team
awards should not surprise anyone. He
was a six-time champion of the NBA,
two-time champion of the Olympics, as
well as the owner of other numerous
awards.
Michael Jordan several times
interrupted and resumed his career, but
he always was in sight, had a lot of
advertising contracts as well as an army
of fans. However, this great athlete has
always been himself - a simple
American guy who makes one hundred
percent efforts during training.
Outside the basketball court, Michael
Jordan is known as a passionate
admirer of baseball, motorcycle racing,
golf, and a participant in numerous
charity companies. Once during his
career, he even managed to prove
himself as an actor in the popular film
"Space Jam" where he courageously
played basketball against the team of
aliens.
In addition, Michael worked as a model.
He continues to earn a lot on
advertising contracts. A billionaire
made his investments in basketball, in
particular, the purchase of 90 percent of
shares in the club "Charlotte Hornets".
At the moment the club costs $780
million.
2. Tiger Woods (golf) - $1.7 billion
There are many worthy and wealthy
athletes born in the US. This group
includes the billionaire Tiger Woods. He
reached incredible heights in golf, was
awarded with 14 winner’s titles in
men's major golf championships and
concedes 4 victories in comparison with
the bright and popular Jack Nicklaus (18
wins). 3. Arnold Palmer (golf) - $1.4 billion
The sports world continues to grieve
over the departure of Arnold Palmer
who died in 2016 at the age of 88.
Palmer was the person who radically
changed the perception of golf, made
this sport more democratic and massive.
His star lit in the late 50's, and by 1964
he already had 42 tournament victories.
In total during his career, Palmer won
62 PGA contests, including 7 Grand
Slam tournaments.
4. Jack Nicklaus (golf) - $1,2 billion
Jack William Nicklaus is one of the best
sportsmen in the history of golf. For
twenty-five years of his career, he won
in 73 different professional
tournaments.
The last big victory in the career of the
golfer was won at the US Open in 1980.
It was a record 18 victory in the main
professional tournaments. This
achievement is unbeaten until today.
In the 90s, Nicklaus founded the
eponymous firm that manufactures golf
equipment. One of the brands of
"Nicklaus" is the Golden Bear.
5. Michael Schumacher ("Formula 1") - $1 billion
Michael Schumacher is German racing
driver of Formula-1, seven-time world
champion, two-time vice-champion of
the world and three times a bronze
medalist. He is the holder of numerous
records of Formula-1: by the number of
victories (91), podiums (155), wins for
one season (13), fastest laps (77), and
also titles in a row (5).
In the press, he is often called the "Red
Baron". During the First World War, the
Red Baron was named the best ace of
war Baron Manfred von Richthofen who
flew on the airplane of red color.
Schumacher also received the nickname
"Red Baron" because of the national
resemblance, the red "Ferrari" car,
sports form and his invincibility.
6. Phil Mickelson (golf) - $815 million
The American golfer gained worldwide
fame due to the titles won at the golf
masters competition in 2005 and 2006.
Among the fans, he was nicknamed
Lefty. Being a right-handed man, he
invariably played golf only with the left
hand.
7. Kobe Bryant (basketball) - $800 million
Kobe Bin Bryant is an outstanding
basketball player of our time, an
attacking defender of the Los Angeles
Lakers nicknamed "Black Mamba". In
his sports biography, there were a lot of
ups and almost no downs (except for
numerous injuries).
The best moments of his games will
forever remain in the memory of fans.
Twenty years of career is a whole epoch
for the athlete. Usually, sportsmen go
from the big basketball much earlier,
but Kobe stayed up to the last with
incredible efforts always standing at the
peak of fame.
8. David Beckham (football) - $800 million
David Beckham is a former professional
footballer of English origin who played
on the midfielder's position. During the
sports biography he changed a number
of football clubs: played for Manchester
United, Preston North End, Real Madrid,
Milan, Los Angeles Galaxy, and Paris
Saint-Germain.
9. Floyd Mayweather (boxing) - $785 million
It is the greatest boxer in the world who
wasn't been defeated in a single
professional fight. Floyd Mayweather Jr.
belongs to the dynasty of outstanding
athletes. From the earliest years, he
immediately formed a special type of
fight - not too spectacular, but very
effective, which allowed him to become
a winner regularly.
10. Shaquille O'Neal (basketball) - $735 million
Shaquille O'Neal is a legendary player
whose name has long been a symbol of
the NBA and the entire basketball
world. He is fast, strong, technical, and
incredibly smart. The subtle ability to
"read the game", feel the shoulder of a
partner and also lead his team forward
made him a true icon in his sport.
As part of the US team, Shaquille O'Neal
became the 1996 Olympic Champion
and 1994 World Champion. Up to the
present time he is considered one of the
best center players in the history of
basketball.
Now you know who the richest
sportsmen in the world are. Each of
them has made great efforts to build a
career and deserves deep respect. These
men are perfect inspiration for
upcoming athletes.
