World's Top Paid Athlete for 2009
Each year (since 2004) Sports Illustrated Magazine's have published the Fortunate 50 (top paid US athletes) and the International 20 (top paid other athletes). It made sense to combine these two and create the World 10.
We have combined the 2009 Fortunate 50 and the 2009 International 20 lists to give you the top 10 paid athletes in the world in 2009 according to Sports Illustrated. The top 3 are exactlly the same as in 2008. Compare this list to the Forbes 2009 Top Paid Athletes List. Earning totals are based on salary, winnings, endorsements and appearance fees.
| Name | Country | Sport | earnings (US$ million) | previous year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Tiger Woods | USA | Golf | 99.7 | 1 |
| 2. | Phil Mickelson | USA | Golf | 53.0 | 2 |
| 3. | David Beckham | Great Britain | Soccer | 45.2 | 3 |
| 4. | LeBron James | USA | Basketball | 42.4 | 5 |
| 5. | Kimi Räikkönen | Finland | Auto Racing | 40.1 | 4 |
| 6. | Manny Pacquiao | Philippines | Boxing | 40.0 | >10 |
| 7. | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Soccer | 39.9 | 8 |
| 8. | Alex Rodriguez | USA | Baseball | 39.0 | >10 |
| =9. | Valentino Rossi | Italy | Motor Sports | 35.0 | >10 |
| =9. | Fernando Alonso | Spain | Auto Racing | 35.0 | >10 |
| =9. | Shaquille O'Neal | USA | Basketball | 35.0 | >10 |
Related Pages
- About Sports Illustrated Lists
- Other sporting lists, including the Forbes list of the World's Best Paid Athletes
- More about the World of Sport
Any comments, suggestions, or corrections? Please let us know.
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