Undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. is the
highest-paid professional athlete in the United States with expected earnings
of at least $90 million this year from just two bouts, according to Sports
Illustrated magazine.
The 36-year-old welterweight - considered
the best defensive boxer of his generation - topped the magazine's Fortunate 50
list, issued on Wednesday. Mayweather also took the top spot last year, earning
an estimated $85 million, again from just two fights, the magazine reported.
Miami Heat basketball star LeBron James, 28,
a four-time National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player, came in this
year in the number two slot, earning a total of $56.5 million.
The list is calculated by combining
estimated salary, winnings and endorsements. Mayweather's total earnings are
even more impressive considering he received no endorsement money either this
year or last.
James' $56.5 million income combines a $17.5
million salary with an additional $39 million in endorsements.
Golfer Tiger Woods, the highest paid U.S.
athlete from 2004, when the list was first published, through 2011, dropped to
the No. 5 slot on this year's list, earning $40.8 million.
Chicago Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano came
in as the 50th highest-paid U.S. athlete with an estimated $18.2 million.
Candidates for the list must be U.S.
citizens and compete in a U.S.-based league.
Internationally, soccer great David Beckham
is estimated to earn more than $48 million, landing him the top spot on the
magazine's annual list of highest-paid athletes worldwide, The International
20.
- Reuters
No comments:
Post a Comment