Zimpapers Logo

NEW YORK. — Basketball and golf have next to nothing in common, however, retired basketball player Michael Jordan and golfer Tiger Woods do. 

Both athletes are considered, arguably, the very best players of their respective sports, and now the two are both the highest-paid athletes in history. 

Jordan ranked number one on the Top 25 Highest-Paid Athletes of All-Time chart, reported by Sportico. Since turning professional in 1984, calculations show the former Chicago Bulls shooting guard has earned a little over US$2.6 billion to date, which amounts to US$2.05 billion in non-inflation adjusted earnings. 

Woods, not far behind the NBA Hall of Famer, came in at number two, earning US$2.1 billion since turn pro in 1996, or US$1.66 billion in non-inflation adjusted earnings. 

Tiger Woods

The results of the list were tabulated from athletes’ total earnings based on salaries, endorsements, licensing, and memorabilia since their first year of playing professionally. What’s remarkable about Jordan’s fortune is that only about six percent of his US$2.6 billion was made from his NBA contracts during his 15-year career. 

The first 13 of those 15 seasons were spent with the Chicago Bulls, with whom he won six NBA championships. His final two seasons were spent with the Washington Wizards from 2001 to 2003, the first of which he donated his salary to various 9/11 related relief efforts, as reported by CNN. 

Other basketball players on the Top 25 list include LeBron James at number seven with US$1.17 billion, the late Kobe Bryant at 13 with US$930 million, Shaquille O’Neal at 14 with US$870 million, and Kevin Durant at 19 with US$625 million. — theGrio