Who earns the real money in world sport?
By Lazlo , 27 Sep 2010 The Crowd is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- Alex Rodriguez, All Blacks, Dan Carter, Fernando Alonso, French Rugby Union, Kobe Bryant, Manchester United, Maria Sharapova, New York Yankees, new zealand all blacks, Rugby Union, Sachin Tendulkar, Toulon
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Dan Carter’s holdout for a couple of million a year from the Toulon club certainly made headlines. But to keep things in perspective, and illustrate how rugby is, unfortunately, just a blip on the world sporting map, here are some salaries people make in other sports.
Topping the list is Alex Rodriguez, the New York Yankees slugger, who signed a contract worth $275 million over 10 years (all figures in US dollars). Fifteen other baseball players will make over $100 million. Next is Fernando Alonso, the Ferrari F1 driver, on $160 million over four years.
Kobe Bryant is next at $136 million over seven years. Ten other basketball players will make over $100 million. In the NFL, Carson Palmer, QB for the Begals, will make $120 million over nine years.
On the distaff side, Maria Sharapova is way ahead of the other ladies in sports cause she’s pretty and has oodles of sponsors. She makes around $27 million a year.
However, the most valuable franchise is not in the USA but in the UK. Manchester United is valued at upwards of two billion. The Dallas Cowboys are second at a billion seven. Collectively, the 32 teams in the NFL are worth thirty four billion.
Highest paid cricketer is probably Tendulkar. It’s not known how much he makes a year but I’m sure Vinay and Kersi could make a good guess.
However, if you want to be really rich, forget Yankee Stadium and go downtown to Wall Street.
Last year, Jim Simons, who runs the Medallion Hedge Fund, made two billion – his share of the fund’s performance plus management fees plus return on his own invested capital.
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- Alex Rodriguez, All Blacks, Dan Carter, Fernando Alonso, French Rugby Union, Kobe Bryant, Manchester United, Maria Sharapova, New York Yankees, new zealand all blacks, Rugby Union, Sachin Tendulkar, Toulon

September 27th 2010 @ 8:05am
BigAl said | September 27th 2010 @ 8:05am | Report comment
This is a bit of a fluff piece considering all that’a happening in Australian. sport at the mo !
Besides, I’m sure I remember a report showing that Michael Schumacher was way way ahead of the pack as far as pure Sports contracts go – I know he’s no longer in the hunt, but it would be indicative of where the leading F1 drivers sit in this scheme of things.
September 27th 2010 @ 9:12am
Luke W said | September 27th 2010 @ 9:12am | Report comment
Tom Brady just signed the most valuable contract in NFL history. Peyton Manning is coming off contract this year as well, and don’t be surprised if Brady’s record is short lived.
September 28th 2010 @ 3:18pm
mushi said | September 28th 2010 @ 3:18pm | Report comment
Um wow that saved me three google searches…
October 1st 2010 @ 8:30am
Mushi said | October 1st 2010 @ 8:30am | Report comment
It’s also worth mentioning that Bryant is not guaranteed that 130+ as his contract is a “max” contract so changes in the CBA may lead to the allowable max being reduced.
January 16th 2012 @ 11:22pm
Amanuel said | January 16th 2012 @ 11:22pm | Report comment
i think i know who earns the real money in the world.