Projo Sports Blog

June 3 (Bloomberg) -- Tiger Woods has made almost $128 million in prize money and endorsements over the past year, more than twice as much as any other U.S. professional athlete, according to Sports Illustrated.

The world's No. 1 golfer tops SI.com's "Fortunate 50" list of the highest-earning U.S. athletes, raking in $22.9 million in winnings and another $105 million in endorsements. Woods, 32, has earned almost $800 million over his 13-year career and may become the first billion-dollar athlete, according to SI.com.

Fellow golfer Phil Mickelson is second at $62.4 million, followed by basketball player LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers. James made almost $40.5 million in the past year, including $28 million from endorsement deals, and is one of 26 National Basketball Association players in the "Fortunate 50," the most of any sport.

Boxer Floyd Mayweather ranks fourth with $40.3 million in earnings, followed by NBA players Kobe Bryant ($35.5 million) and Shaquille O'Neal ($35 million).

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez is the top- earning Major League Baseball player and ranks seventh on SI.com's list at $35 million.

Kevin Garnett, whose Boston Celtics are playing Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals, is eighth with $31 million, while Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning is ninth and the highest-earning National Football League player at $30.5 million. Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter completes the top 10 with $30 million in salary and endorsements.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the top earning racecar driver among U.S. athletes and ranks 11th overall with $27.2 million -- $5.2 million from winnings and $22 million from endorsements. His total was almost $20 million less than the winnings and sponsorship money received by Formula One driver Kimi Raikkonen of Finland, who ranks second in SI.com's list of top-earning athletes from outside the U.S., with $46 million, after soccer player David Beckham.

Boston athletes on the SI Fortunate 50 list
8. Kevin Garnett: $31 million
20. Manny Ramirez: $22.5 million
32. Tom Brady: $18 million
34. Paul Pierce: $17.86 million
38. Ray Allen: $16.75 million

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