Clockwise from top left: Phil Mickelson, LeBron James, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Alex Rodriguez and Tiger Woods (center)
Landov; Getty; ABC; Splash News Online; Globe
That's how much the golf champion raked in between his $20 million in sports winnings for 2009 and $70 million in estimated endorsement earnings for 2010 – putting him in the top spot, for the seventh straight year, of SI.com's "Fortunate 50" list of the highest-earning American athletes.
In the wake of his sex scandal, Woods, 34, is pulling in about $22 million less in endorsement money compared to 2009, but his golf winnings last year were greater than in 2008 – leaving him only about $10 million down overall.
Woods's rival Phil Mickelson, who also had a difficult 2009 – his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer – landed second on the list, with a combined $62 million in earnings.
Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. was third with $60 million. NBA star LeBron James, who will sacrifice a bit of money to play for Miami next season, was fourth with $46 million.
Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez, at No. 5 with $37 million, has plenty of cash on hand to buy gifts for Cameron Diaz.
Rounding out the top 10 are: Shaquille O'Neal, with $35 million; Kobe Bryant, $33 million; Derek Jeter and Peyton Manning, both $31 million; and Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade, $27 million.
See what other readers have to say about this story – or leave a comment of your own
