Four golfers including Tiger Woods ranked in the top 10 of highest paid athletes of all time.
Golf is the winner when it comes to the top 10 highest paid athletes of all time as four golfers including Tiger Woods have made it onto Sportico’s latest list as of 2024.
According to Sportico, their list is measured in inflation-adjusted earnings of sporting stars past and present based on their value.
Three golfers inc. Tiger Woods in top five of highest paid athletes of all time
NBA legend Michael Jordan is the runaway winner on $3.3 billion, with 15-time major champion Tiger Woods a clear second on $2.5 billion.
After retiring from basketball in April 2003 aged 40, Jordan went on to make huge money as an entrepreneur. His Air Jordan brand, in collaboration with Nike, brings in around £1 billion a year in sales.
Jordan shoes are widely available in a range of different sports, including golf.
This week, we were drawn to the Jordan 1 Golf Mule, the newest shoe in the collection, which some golf enthusiasts have remarked “looks like slippers.”
Woods announced his departure from Nike on January 8, 2024, following 27 years of partnership. After leaving Nike, the former World No. 1 made an emotional post on social media.
Woods’ actual net worth as of 2024 is estimated to be $1.1 billion.
Two more PGA Tour legends in Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus follow Woods in third and fourth spots on $1.7 billion and $1.63 billion respectively. Those numbers, as we say, are inflation-adjusted earnings.
Late great Palmer, who won seven major titles from 1958 to 1964, was seen as golf’s trailblazer as he became the first superstar of the sport’s television age in the 50s, while Nicklaus is a record 18-time major winner.
Cristiano Ronaldo, a former legend of Real Madrid and Manchester United, is nestled in close behind with $1.58 billion on the most recent list.
Last season, Ronaldo decided to relocate to Saudi Arabia and join Al Nassr.
NBA star LeBron James, who has $1.53 billion, is closing in on Ronaldo, while Lionel Messi, who is ranked seventh with $1.48 billion, is Ronaldo’s fiercest rival in the GOAT debate.
Four golfers in top 10 of highest paid athletes of all time.
Rounding out the top 10 are boxing star Floyd Mayweather ($1.41 billion), tennis ace Roger Federer ($1.38 billion) and six-time major champion Phil Mickelson ($1.36 billion).
Golf legend Mickelson has spent the majority of his career on the PGA Tour but he made the controversial switch to join the LIV Golf League in 2022.
It is estimated Mickelson accepted a signing fee of $200m to join the Saudi-bankrolled golf league back then.
Jon Rahm became the highest paid LIV Golf player of all time when he accepted in the region of $600m to join the circuit ahead of the 2024 season, but the Spaniard is nowhere near the top 10 on the all-time list.
Top 10 highest paid athletes of all time.
