1

Tiger Woods

Golf

Last Year's Rank: 1

$2,294,116

$60,000,000

$62,294,116

Tiger's empire has crumbled, but Rome wasn't built in a day. His Nike and EA
deals still keep him on top of the charts while other endorsers -- and his
game -- have gone in other directions. But his reign at No. 1 may soon be ov
er. For more on Tiger go here.

2

Phil Mickelson

Golf

Last Year's Rank: 2

$4,185,933

$57,000,000

$61,185,933

Lefty's hefty sponsorship portfolio isn't flashy -- deals with Callaway, KPM
G, Rolex, Barclays Capital, ExxonMobil and Amgen/Pfizer -- but he's one of t
he most reliable endorsers in pro sports. For more on Phil Mickelson go here
.

3

LeBron James

Miami Heat (NBA)

Last Year's Rank: 4

$14,500,000

$30,000,000

$44,500,000

There's plenty of room for LeBron's talent in his $9 million Coconut Grove m
ansion. King James' compound features a wine cellar, library, home theater a
nd dock that can fit two 60-foot yachts. But all the money in the world can'
t buy an NBA title.

4

Peyton Manning

Indianapolis Colts (NFL)

Last Year's Rank: 9

$23,070,000

$15,000,000

$38,070,000

Who needs a lucrative new contract, anyway? If the Colts place the franchise
tag on the four-time NFL MVP again next year, Manning will earn more than $
50 million in salary over two seasons.

5

Alex Rodriguez

New York Yankees (MLB)

Last Year's Rank: 5

$32,000,000

$4,000,000

$36,000,000

If A-Rod's bat catches fire, he could cash in this season on the first miles
tone bonus written into his contract: another $6 million for passing Willie
Mays (No. 4 at 660) on the all-time home-run list.

6

Kobe Bryant

Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)

Last Year's Rank: 7

$24,806,250

$10,000,000

$34,806,250

Kobe relinquished a pair of back-to-back titles this spring: the NBA champio
nship and his crown as the NBA's top jersey seller worldwide. LeBron's No. 6
Heat top now outsells Kobe's No. 24.

7

Kevin Garnett

Boston Celtics (NBA)

Last Year's Rank: 15

$18,832,044

$14,000,000

$32,832,044

This could be KG's final appearance on this list, as he's set to earn $21 mi
llion next season in the last year of his contract and could retire. He'll h
ave earned more than $300 million over his career.

8

Matt Ryan

Atlanta Falcons (NFL)

Last Year's Rank: NR

$32,250,000

$450,000

$32,700,000

The bulk of guaranteed money in Ryan's six-year, $72 million contract he sig
ned in 2008 should be paid out this year, when he'll earn a $22 million rost
er bonus on top of his $10.25 million salary.

9

Tom Brady

New England Patriots (NFL)

Last Year's Rank: T-28

$20,007,280

$10,000,000

$30,007,280

Brady's four-year, $72 million extension signed last September gives him the
highest average annual salary in the NFL. He's due to collect $10 million o
f his $16 million signing bonus in August.

10

Dwight Howard

Orlando Magic (NBA)

Last Year's Rank: 12

$16,647,180

$12,000,000

$28,647,180

Any dream of Superman joining Lakers needs a cold dose of reality: Howard wo
uld have to accept a huge reduction from $17.9 million he's own next year; K
obe might have to take a pay cut, too.


Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/specials/fortunate50-2011/index.
html#ixzz1rwgv5CwE
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