Sporty, the unit specializes in monitoring sports business activities, has just released the latest report on the 50 highest -income athletes of all time.
Although the sports industry has grown constantly, the top two names have been steadfast in the top for many years.
Basketball superstarMichael JordanContinue to surpass rivals with an estimated income of up to 300million USDIn 2024, most of the contract with Nike.
This figure has brought the total income in his career since becoming athletesprofessionalFrom 1984 to 3 billion USD, equivalent to 4.15 billion USD (adjusted by inflation).
Despite retiring more than 20 years ago, Michael Jordan still made the most money for sports, continuing the dominant series in the field lasting for four decades.
Top 50 athletes with the highest income of all time from 8 different sports, most of which retired and only 18 people were playing.
But similar to Jordan, “hanging shoes” does not mean cash flow ends for legends.
Ranked second in the list is a familiar name not only for golfers, but almost everyone around the globe:Tiger Woods.
Like Jordan, Tiger Woods is a “old village” in this list, with an income throughout his career adjusted by inflation of up to 2.79 billion USD. Although no longer often play onPGA Tour, but with the investment in TGL and Sun Day Red, Woods’s property continues to grow.
Woods stand with other golf legends in the top 10, includingArnold Palmer(rank 6 – 1.82 billion USD) and Jack Nicklaus (rank 7-15 billion USD). Other names in golf participated in this list include Phil Mickelson (11), Greg Norman (15), Rory Mcilroy (24), Ernie Els (35) and Gary Player (37).
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Golf accounts for a total of 8 positions in the top 50 with the second highest income (11.12 billion USD) after basketball. Golfers benefit from the career that lasted for decades, and are still very popular with brands even when retiring or not peaking at form.
Arnold Palmer still earns nearly 40 million USD/year from his brand until he died in 2016 at the age of 87. Tiger Woods won only 3 prizes since 2013 (the last time was 2019), but still earned more than 60 million USD each year.
Sportico is a specialized monitoring unit. When ranked, they base on income (have been in inflation) from salary, bonus, advertising contracts, funding, operating personal rights, attending remuneration ….
