10 RICHEST ATHLETES IN HISTORY

1. Michael Jordan (basketball) - $1.85 billion

He is one of the main NBA players who eventually turned into a figure of the world scale. Do not think that his career was simple. Making his way to the very top, Michael went through many different tests and therefore really deserved the right to be called best of the best.

Our hero played only in two professional clubs: Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards. As part of these teams, he was a real star, and therefore a huge number of personal and team awards should not surprise anyone. He was a six-time champion of the NBA, two-time champion of the Olympics, as well as the owner of other numerous awards.

 He still earn a lot on advertising contracts. A billionaire made his investments in basketball, in particular, the purchase of 90 percent of shares in the club "Charlotte Hornets". At the moment the club costs $780 million.

2. Tiger Woods (golf) - $1.7 billion

There are many worthy and wealthy athletes born in the US. This group includes the billionaire Tiger Woods. He reached incredible heights in golf, was awarded with 14 winner’s titles in men's major golf championships and concedes 4 victories in comparison with the bright and popular Jack Nicklaus (18 wins).

3. Arnold Palmer (golf) - $1.4 billion

The sports world continues to grieve over the departure of Arnold Palmer who died in 2016 at the age of 88. Palmer was the person who radically changed the perception of golf, made this sport more democratic and massive.

His star lit in the late 50's, and by 1964 he already had 42 tournament victories. In total during his career, Palmer won 62 PGA contests, including 7 Grand Slam tournaments.

4. Jack Nicklaus (golf) - $1,2 billion

Jack William Nicklaus is one of the best sportsmen in the history of golf. For twenty-five years of his career, he won in 73 different professional tournaments.

The last big victory in the career of the golfer was won at the US Open in 1980. It was a record 18 victory in the main professional tournaments. This achievement is unbeaten until today.

In the 90s, Nicklaus founded the eponymous firm that manufactures golf equipment. One of the brands of "Nicklaus" is the Golden Bear.

5. Michael Schumacher ("Formula 1") - $1 billion

Michael Schumacher is German racing driver of Formula-1, seven-time world champion, two-time vice-champion of the world and three times a bronze medalist. He is the holder of numerous records of Formula-1: by the number of victories (91), podiums (155), wins for one season (13), fastest laps (77), and also titles in a row (5).

In the press, he is often called the "Red Baron". During the First World War, the Red Baron was named the best ace of war Baron Manfred von Richthofen who flew on the airplane of red color. Schumacher also received the nickname "Red Baron" because of the national resemblance, the red "Ferrari" car, sports form and his invincibility.

6. Phil Mickelson (golf) - $815 million

The American golfer gained worldwide fame due to the titles won at the golf masters competition in 2005 and 2006. Among the fans, he was nicknamed Lefty. Being a right-handed man, he invariably played golf only with the left hand.

7. Kobe Bryant (basketball) - $800 million

Kobe Bin Bryant is an outstanding basketball player of our time, an attacking defender of the Los Angeles Lakers nicknamed "Black Mamba". In his sports biography, there were a lot of ups and almost no downs (except for numerous injuries).

The best moments of his games will forever remain in the memory of fans. Twenty years of career is a whole epoch for the athlete. Usually, sportsmen go from the big basketball much earlier, but Kobe stayed up to the last with incredible efforts always standing at the peak of fame.

8. David Beckham (football) - $800 million

David Beckham is a former professional footballer of English origin who played on the midfielder's position. During the sports biography he changed a number of football clubs: played for Manchester United, Preston North End, Real Madrid, Milan, Los Angeles Galaxy, and Paris Saint-Germain.

9. Floyd Mayweather (boxing) - $785 million

It is the greatest boxer in the world who wasn't been defeated in a single professional fight. Floyd Mayweather Jr. belongs to the dynasty of outstanding athletes. From the earliest years, he immediately formed a special type of fight - not too spectacular, but very effective, which allowed him to become a winner regularly.

10. Shaquille O'Neal (basketball) - $735 million

Shaquille O'Neal is a legendary player whose name has long been a symbol of the NBA and the entire basketball world. He is fast, strong, technical, and incredibly smart. The subtle ability to "read the game", feel the shoulder of a partner and also lead his team forward made him a true icon in his sport.

As part of the US team, Shaquille O'Neal became the 1996 Olympic Champion and 1994 World Champion. Up to the present time he is considered one of the best center players in the history of basketball.

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