Three golfers in top five (inc Tiger Woods) of highest paid athletes of all time

Golf is the winner when it comes to the top 10 highest paid athletes of all time as four golfers including Tiger Woods have made it onto Sportico's latest list as of 2024. 

According to Sportico, their list is measured in inflation-adjusted earnings of sporting stars past and present based on their value. 

Three golfers inc. Tiger Woods in top five of highest paid athletes of all time

NBA legend Michael Jordan is the runaway winner on $3.3 billion, with 15-time major champion Tiger Woods a clear second on $2.5 billion. 

What is Tiger Woods' net worth in 2024?

After retiring from basketball in April 2003 aged 40, Jordan went on to make huge money as an entrepreneur. His Air Jordan brand, in collaboration with Nike, brings in around £1 billion a year in sales.

Jordan shoes are widely available in a range of different sports, including golf. 

The latest shoe from the Jordan range caught our attention this week in the shape of the new Jordan 1 Golf Mule, which some golf fans have commented "look like slippers".

Woods confirmed on 8 January 2024 that he had left Nike after 27 years together. The former World No.1 posted an emotional statement following his exit from Nike. 

Woods' actual net worth as of 2024 is estimated to be $1.1 billion.

Two more PGA Tour legends in Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus follow Woods in third and fourth spots on $1.7 billion and $1.63 billion respectively. Those numbers, as we say, are inflation-adjusted earnings. 

Late great Palmer, who won seven major titles from 1958 to 1964, was seen as golf's trailblazer as he became the first superstar of the sport's television age in the 50s, while Nicklaus is a record 18-time major winner. 

Former Manchester United and Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo is tucked in close behind on the latest list with $1.58 billion.

Ronaldo made the decision to move to Saudi Arabia and play for Al Nassr last season. 

NBA hero LeBron James is hot on Ronaldo's heels with $1.53 billion, while Ronaldo's arch rival in the GOAT debate, Lionel Messi, is in seventh place on $1.48 billion.

Four golfers in top 10 of highest paid athletes of all time

Rounding out the top 10 are boxing star Floyd Mayweather ($1.41 billion), tennis ace Roger Federer ($1.38 billion) and six-time major champion Phil Mickelson ($1.36 billion).

Golf legend Mickelson has spent the majority of his career on the PGA Tour but he made the controversial switch to join the LIV Golf League in 2022. 

It is estimated Mickelson accepted a signing fee of $200m to join the Saudi-bankrolled golf league back then. 

Jon Rahm became the highest paid LIV Golf player of all time when he accepted in the region of $600m to join the circuit ahead of the 2024 season, but the Spaniard is nowhere near the top 10 on the all-time list.

Top 10 highest paid athletes of all time

Results according to Sportico - learn more about the results here

What do you make of these results? Are you shocked four golfers are in the top 10 of all time, according to Sportico? Share your thoughts and comments over on the GolfMagic social media channels. 

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