Woods is sporting rich list’s big hitter

Multiple marital infidelities pitched him from the sports pages to front page headlines in 2009, but today Tiger Woods finds himself not only at the top of the world’s golf rankings but also at the pinnacle of the Forbes ‘World’s Highest Paid Athletes’.

The magazine estimates the 37-year-old has earned more than $78m (€60m) over the last 12 months. Only $13m of that total came from salary and winnings — the other $65m came from endorsements.

Forbes said Woods continues to get a healthy payout from his Tiger Woods PGA Tour video game franchise, with new versions released annually.

“Nike remains Woods’s biggest meal ticket, paying him more than $20m annually by our count, and the company is on the verge of signing Woods to a contract extension, which will keep Woods as the top golf endorser at the $25bn-in-sales sports behemoth,” it said.

In fact, massive endorsements and salaries paid in America’s most popular sports mean they make up the bulk of the Forbes highest paid athletes list.

Of the top 100 stars, more than 60 have made their name in either baseball (27), basketball (21) and American Football (13).

In fact the entire list is mainly inhabited by American names.

The most fruitful sports for other nationalities are soccer — including David Beckham — motor racing, tennis and boxing.

The only Irish name on the list is Rory McIlroy in 21st place. Forbes estimates he earned almost $30m (€23m) over the last 12 months. He actually earned more than Tiger Woods in salary and winnings at $13.6. However, his endorsements were miniscule by comparison at $16m.

Last year’s holder of the number one spot on the Forbes list was boxer Floyd Mayweather. He only fought once between the magazine’s Jun 2012-Jun 2013 window for its table. For a portion of that 12 months, he was in jail serving a sentence for domestic abuse against his ex-girlfriend. He now finds himself in joint 14th position with rival Manny Pacquiao with both men earning $34m over the year.

He may have competition for the number one spot in his sport, but Roger Federer ranks second on the Forbes list with earnings of $71.5m (€54m).

The magazine said he had the most impressive endorsement portfolio in sports, with 10 sponsors that collectively pay him more than $40m annually, including long-term deals with Nike, Rolex, Wilson and Credit Suisse.

Top 10

Tiger Woods (golf) $78.1m.

Roger Federer (tennis) $71.5m.

Kobe Bryant (basketball) $61.9.

Le Bron James (basketball) $59.8m.

Drew Brees (American football) $51m.

Aaron Rodgers (American football) $49m.

Phil Mickelson (golf) $48.7m.

David Beckham (soccer) $47.2m.

Christiano Ronaldo (soccer) $44m.

Lionel Messi (soccer) $41.3m.