http://www.forbes.com/2009/06/17/top-earning-athletes-business-sports-top-earning-athletes_slide_9.html
The World's Highest-Paid Athletes
Kurt Badenhausen
Drop-offs from last year include boxer Floyd Mayweather (has not fought since December 2007), NFL players Ben Roethlisberger and Dwight Freeney (both made the 2008 list after inking contracts with big signing bonuses) and Formula One driver Fernando Alonso (just missed the cut).
The highest-ranking of the four newcomers to the list is boxer Manny Pacquiao who earned $40 million over the last year, tied for the sixth most. Pacquiao cemented his claim as the world's best pound-for-pound fighter with convincing knockouts of Oscar De La Hoya in December and Ricky Hatton in May. The two blockbuster fights garnered more than 2 million pay-per-view buys in the U.S. and earned Pac-Man $30 million combined.
Pacquiao's massive popularity in his native Philippines is why companies like Nike and San Miguel beer have signed him to endorse their products. Pacquiao intends to use that popularity to run for political office when his ring career is over.
Our 20 highest earners have a very international flavor with Pacquiao one of eight non-Americans on the list.
david beckham guarntees $100sM to his employers just by putting on their t-shirt.
Go to anywhere in asia and say the name david beckham. he's even more poplular there than manny pac.
Japan, Korea etc love their football (thats right, FOOTBALL) and the people there dont support clubs like the rest of Europe, they support players and Beckham is HUGE there.
Its no coincidence that Real Madrid took over Manchester United as the worlds richest club when he switched clubs
Beckham, for his limited ability makes his employers a serious amount of money, and his wages are reflected in that.
Dawg, where be Money May? Dat Nicca have to be a multi-Trillionaire by now, 'specially after he sold a whoppin' 3 Thousand tickets against Marquez.lol - sarcasm at its best.
The highest-ranking of the four newcomers to the list is boxer Manny Pacquiao who earned $40 million over the last year,
not bad for someone who come from a slum...
The real coin is from the endorsements. Tiger Woods appearance money is staggering by itself. All he has to do is show up and don't even have to win and he gets paid millions, same as the other athletes you've mentioned...