Woods tops list of biggest earners in sports while rediscovering his winning form

The money trail

Tiger Woods tees off during the final round of the Northwestern Mutual World Challenge tournament in Thousand Oaks, California, on Dec 8. Frederic J. Brown / Agence France-Presse

NO.1 Tiger Woods

Total salary: $78 million

Earnings: $13m

Endorsements: $65m

Sport: Golf

Tiger rediscovered his killer instinct in 2013, surging back to the top of the world rankings after a blistering start to the season when he won five of his first 11 events. Although he failed to add to his haul of 14 major victories his off-course income perked up, according to the Forbes annual sporting survey, thanks to sponsorship bonuses with Nike and Rolex tied to success. He also collected sizeable appearance fees for competing in Abu Dhabi, China, Malaysia and Turkey.

NO.2 Roger Federer

Total salary:

$72m

Earnings: $7m

Endorsements: $65m

Sport: Tennis

He slipped down the rankings and suffered his leanest season since 2001, but when it comes to endorsements Federer remains one of sport's most bankable assets. The 17-time Grand Slam winner's reflexes might have slowed and the picture-perfect backhand has lost its bite, but he retains an impressive portfolio of sponsors.

NO.3 Kobe Bryant

Total salary:

$62m

Earnings: $28m

Endorsements: $34m

Sport: NBA

A 15-time All-Star, Bryant's $28 million salary made him the highest-paid player in the NBA in the 2012-13 season and the future Hall of Famer signed a two-year contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers in November.

NO.4 LeBron James

Total salary:

$60m

Earnings: $18m

Endorsements: $42m

Sport: NBA

The man nicknamed 'King James' crowned a memorable 2013 with his second NBA title, putting in a regal 37-point performance in the decisive game of the finals to sink the San Antonio Spurs. Having scooped a fourth Most Valuable Player award, it comes as no surprise that he is the sport's biggest endorsement attraction, according to Forbes, thanks to deals with Nike, McDonald's and Coca-Cola, among others.

NO.5 Drew Brees

Total salary:

$51m

Earnings: $40m

Endorsements: $11m

Sport: NFL

With six Pro Bowl selections and a Super Bowl title to his credit since joining the New Orleans Saints in 2006, the quarterback commands a salary befitting his status as one of the NFL's most successful players. Gifted with a strong arm and outstanding vision, Brees has endorsement deals with several US companies, including Nike, Procter & Gamble and Verizon Wireless.

NO.6 Aaron Rodgers

Total salary:

$49m

Earnings: $43m

Endorsements: $6m

Sport: NFL

The three-time Pro Bowler and 2011 Super Bowl Most Valuable Player signed a five-year contract worth $110 million in April that made him the highest-paid player in the National Football League. A broken collarbone in November, however, meant he suffered a painful end to 2013.

NO.7 Phil Mickelson

Total salary:

$49m

Earnings: $5m

Endorsements: $44m

Sport: Golf

Nicknamed 'Phil the Thrill', Mickelson clinched his fifth major title in commanding fashion in 2013, winning the British Open with a scintillating five-under 66 in the final round. One of the biggest draws in the game and capable of driving up television ratings almost single-handedly, he earns more than $40 million annually from endorsement partners.

NO.8 David Beckham

Total salary:

$47m

Earnings: $5m

Endorsements: $42m

Sport: Soccer

The world's most marketable soccer player called time on a career that combined glitz and glamor with some sparkling silverware in 2013, signing off with a league title at Paris St Germain. Endorsements make up the bulk of his earnings, and his bankability is reflected in the Forbes rich list as he tops shining lights like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Beckham ended the year with a bid to put a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in Miami.

NO.9 Cristiano Ronaldo

Total salary:

$44m

Earnings: $23m

Endorsements: $21m

Sport: Soccer

This could be the year that Ronaldo finally steps out of the shadows of Lionel Messi after a stunning hat-trick performance helped send Portugal to the World Cup finals and made him the favorite to win the World Player of the Year title. Four years of playing second fiddle to the Argentine for the coveted Ballon D'Or has not constrained his earning power, however, with nearly half of his $44 million earnings coming from endorsements.

NO.10 Lionel Messi

Total salary:

$41m

Earnings: $20m

Endorsements: $21m

Sport: Soccer

Having been named the best soccer player on the planet every year since 2009, Messi has already guaranteed his place among the sport's pantheon of all-time greats. But after smashing several scoring records in 2012, this year has set off alarm bells as he has been hampered by significant injury problems for the first time in his illustrious career.

Source: All earnings estimated by Forbes annual sporting survey in June 2013

(China Daily 12/22/2013 page12)