This was taken from Wanadoo so don't blame me if there are any mistakes
Sport's rich list No.10: Serena Williams
Age: 24
Career length: 1999-
Earnings 2004-2005: £7.1m
Serena Williams has left her elder sister Venus behind in the earning stakes to become one of the world's top-paid tennis players. Since her debut in 1999, the junior Williams has already entered the record books following her streak of four straight grand slams that netted her £2.2m in winnings for the 2003 season.
Although it’s been an unusually quiet year for Serena on the tennis circuit, her annual £4.5m Nike contract maintains her position as one of world's highest paid sportswomen. Her additional endorsements for McDonald's and Wilson Racquet Sports should ensure the money keeps pouring in while she gears up for the next round of grand slams.
Sport's rich list No.9: Maria Sharapova
Age: 18
Career length: 2003-
Earnings 2004-2005: £10.3m
Maria Sharapova's living proof that it's possible to combine a successful sports career while enjoying a jet-set lifestyle (take note Anna Kournikova). The glamorous Russian has notched up match-winning performances on the tennis circuit in between stints as a model and some serious party-going.
Her win at Wimbledon in 2003 was quickly followed by several multi-million-dollar deals and invites to the hottest film premieres and celebrity events.
More money should come her way from the recent release of her own perfume, 'Maria Sharapova', and future tournament successes. But if it all falls through, there's always a contract with top model agency IMG for her to fall back on.
Sport's rich list No.8: Ronaldo
Age: 29
Career length: 1994-
Earnings 2004-2005: £13m
Unlike the other footballer in our top 10, Ronaldo has seen worldwide interest in his career decline recently. Thierry Henry, Ronaldinho and David Beckham have all overtaken him in the popularity stakes elsewhere, but his star status is still assured in Brazil and Spain.
Siemens recently signed the soccer star for a multi-million-pound deal to promote its mobile phones in both these countries, which will keep the striker in fast cars and flash footie boots for a while longer.
And don't forget that, despite his likeness to Plug from the Bash Street Kids, Ronaldo is still a magnet for some of the world's most beautiful women. He could easily turn this to his advantage with a handful of publishing deals as the likes of Hello and OK clamour for any future wedding.
Sport's rich list No.7: Lance Armstrong
Age: 34
Career length: 1987-2005
Earnings 2004-2005: £15.8m
Life just gets better and better for superstar cyclist Lance Armstrong. Not only does he have rock chick Sheryl Crow on his arm, but he’s also one of the best-paid sportsmen in the world. Plus he's put the Tour de France on the map and helped make the previously unfashionable sport of cycling popular.
Armstrong's also a high achiever in the earnings stakes. The greatest cyclist of all time can rest assured that he’ll never have to worry about money again, having made £15.8m in the last year alone.
Winning his seventh Tour de France, then retiring to retain his legendary status, has made Armstrong a favourite with the ad men. A TV deal with the Discovery Channel and further endorsements from Nike, should ensure he remains one of the highest paid sportsmen long after his retirement.
Sport's rich list No.6: Andre Agassi
Age: 35
Career length: 1988-
Earnings 2004-05: £14.7m
Andre Agassi has enjoyed success that even the greatest ad man couldn't have dreamed up. Not only has he remained at the top of his game despite his advancing years (he's still ranked in tennis's world top 10), he's also become one of the most lucrative earners in the history of the sport.
Agassi recently saw his £80m deal with Nike expire but his adverts for American Express will ensure he has plenty of cash for his retirement. In fact, given the player's staying power, it's a surprise Duracell hasn't signed him up as a sponsor.
His marriage to former Wimbledon Champion Steffi Graf in 2001 hasn't hindered his financial success either. There'll be no shortage of deals for the Graf-Agassi dynasty if their offspring take up tennis. Now that really would be an ad man's dream!
Sport's rich list No.5: David Beckham
Age: 30
Career length: 1992-
Earnings 2004-2005: £18.3m
Becks has joined the big earners - regardless of his wife's millions - thanks to his long list of endorsements. Multi-million-pound contracts with Gillette, Vodafone and a clutch of clothing deals have all helped build Beckingham Palace.
Becks' move from Manchester Utd to Real Madrid in 2003 has played a crucial role in the growth of his wealth. The worldwide popularity of Real Madrid, combined with his celebrity, has generated millions from club shirt sales - and he gets to take home a percentage.
His recent return to form and England’s place in the World Cup finals will also ensure more lucrative deals come his way on the build-up to next year's competition.
Sports rich list No.4: Michael Jordan
Age: 42
Career length: 1984-2003
Earnings 2004-2005: £18.6m
Michael Jordan may have retired from basketball two years ago, but he still has a hefty income from his multi-million-dollar deal with Nike.
This deal, along with his signature Air Jordan trainers selling like hot cakes, and a move into movies, guaranteed his status as one of sport's top earners while he was still playing.
But it hasn’t always been easy for the man who brought the slam-dunk to the world - at one point his wife threatened to divorce him for £86m. Fortunately for his bank balance, Jordan managed to save his marriage and is currently building a new career in basketball team management - bringing the sport which made him a global phenomenon to a new generation.
Sport's rich list No.3: Shaquille O'Neal
Age: 32
Career length: 1992
Earnings 2004-2005: £18.9m
The 7ft giant who is Shaquille O’Neal narrowly beats Michael Jordan as the richest basketball player in the world, though he does have the advantage that he's still playing.
Like Jordan, he enjoyed lucrative earnings from clothing and footwear endorsements not to mention the release of his own computer game. However, Shaq’s fortunes had taken a downturn until his move from the Los Angeles Lakers to Miami Heat in July 2004.
Helping Miami to the second best record in the NBA has raised his diminishing profile back to the star status of his earlier career, and he's kept the endorsements rolling in. His move into reality TV with his show Shaquille which launched in May on ESPN, along with his £15.8m salary (the highest in the NBA) has ensured his place as one of sport's highest earners.
Sport's richest stars No.2: Michael Schumacher
Age: 36
Career length: 1991-
Earnings 2004-2005: £33.9m
F1’s most successful driver ever, Michael Schumacher remains one of sport's highest earners.
Having been at the top of the list for years, Schumacher's slide from pole position hasn't been helped by his decline in form and a new breed of jetset drivers. The arrival of Fernando Alonso as the new king of F1, with Jenson Button following closely behind, has put Schumacher in the shadows.
Despite this, he still made a cool £33.9m last year. Schumacher also promises to return to top F1 form next season, following his humiliating exit at the Japanese Grand Prix. With seven titles under his belt who are we to argue.
Sport's richest stars No.1: Tiger Woods
Age: 29
Career length: 1996-
Earnings 2004-2005: £49.1m
It’s been a disappointing couple of years for Woods. Vijay Singh ended his record of 264 straight weeks as the world's highest-ranked player in 2004, and he waved goodbye to his PGA Tour record of making consecutive cuts. Woods first claimed the record in 1998 and only lost it at the EDS Byron Nelson Championship.
But off the golf course Tiger tells a different story. In the past year alone he pocketed a massive £45.2m from endorsements and appearance fees. And that's not all. At the WGC-American Express Championship at Harding Park Golf Course in San Francisco, he picked up £1.3m and increased his lead in the world rankings over rival Singh to 6.25 points.
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Originally Posted by hec16
