The Powerball jackpot for this Saturday’s drawing has increased to an estimated $1.23 billion. That’s a lot of cash, for sure. But where does it rank amongst the richest athletes?
In a world where athletes are often described as ‘striking it rich’ or having ‘won the lottery’ following their latest contract agreement, it’s natural to wonder where newfound wealth might land you should you win the jackpot.
The bad news? You’re only going to get a percentage of that $1.23 billion after taxes. But let’s just use that number for the purpose of this exercise.
Turns out, you wouldn’t even crack the top 10 list of richest athletes of all time. This, based on a Sportico list of the top 50 richest athletes of all time based on inflation-adjusted earnings.
That’s right, your $1.23 billion score would land you at number 13. Just behind former Formula One racecar driver Micahel Schumacher ($1.36 billion) and NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal ($1.21 billion).
Here are the top 5 richest athletes of all time according to Sportico.
Michael Jordan ($3.75 Billion)
Michael Jordan, a revered figure in the realms of basketball and business, is widely celebrated as one of the sport’s greatest all-around players. He led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships and amassed numerous accolades, including five MVP awards, during his illustrious career.
But his star power transcended the basketball court.
Jordan’s endorsement deals have been a significant part of his financial success, with his partnership with Nike, including the Air Jordan brand, being the most lucrative. Additionally, Jordan has had long-term deals with Hanes, Gatorade, Upper Deck, and 2K Sports, among others.
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Tiger Woods ($2.66 Billion)
Tiger Woods is an iconic PGA golfer who dominated the links in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He made history as the first player of either African American or Asian descent to win the Masters Tournament in 1997.
And in 2001, he became the first golfer to hold all four major championship titles simultaneously (The Tiger Slam), cementing his status as one of the greatest players in the sport’s history.
Woods had a long-standing partnership with Nike, which was one of the most iconic and lucrative deals in sports history, lasting 27 years. However, this partnership ended in early 2024.
Cristiano Ronaldo ($1.92 Billion)
Cristiano Ronaldo is a professional soccer player widely considered one of the greatest of his generation. He has achieved numerous accolades, including five Ballon d’Or awards and a record three UEFA Men’s Player of the Year Awards.
Ronaldo has played for prestigious clubs such as Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. He currently plays as a forward for and captains both for the Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr and the Portugal national team.
Ronaldo has a lifetime endorsement deal with Nike, a partnership that has been in place since 2003 and is potentially worth over $1 billion. Additionally, he has had endorsements with Tag Heuer, Herbalife, and Clear.
These contracts make him one of the richest athletes of all time.
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Arnold Palmer ($1.76 Billion)
Arnold Palmer was one of golf’s most successful and well-liked stars from the late 1950s through the mid-1960s. He was the first to win the Masters Tournament four times (1958, 1960, 1962, and 1964) and the first to earn $1 million in tournament prize money.
He had a legion of adoring fans affectionately known as Arnie’s Army who followed him on the PGA tour, the Senior Tour, and just about anywhere he went.
But, as we all know from drinking the iced tea, a great deal of his wealth was made off the course.
Palmer’s endorsement portfolio included deals with companies like Rolex, Pennzoil, and AriZona Beverage Co. He also designed over 300 golf courses and helped found the Golf Channel.
Sadly, we lost this charismatic golf icon in 2016 at the age of 87.
LeBron James ($1.70 Billion)
LeBron James is often considered in the conversation as one of the greatest NBA players of all time. He won NBA championships with the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Lakers.
He also captured gold medals in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.
James recently became the first player in the league to ever score 40,000 points for his career.
The Los Angeles Lakers star has a diverse portfolio of endorsement deals, including major partnerships with Verizon, Beats, and Sprite. He also has a lifetime contract with Nike worth approximately $1 billion.
When not accounting for inflation, your $1.23 billion winning Powerball ticket would actually land you on the top 10 list of richest athletes according to Sportico.
The list would be:
- Michael Jordan ($2.70 billion)
- Tiger Woods ($1.85 billion)
- Christiano Ronaldo ($1.57 billion)
- LeBron James ($1.36 billion)
- Lionel Messi ($1.36 billion)
- Johnny Powerball
- Roger Federer ($1.17 billion)
All it takes is a dollar and a dream as they say. And you too can live like one of the richest athletes in the world. Good luck!
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