Show me the Money

In Jerry Maguire, Cuba Gooding Jr's charachter asks sporting agent Maguire "Show me the money". Well Forbes Magazine has done just that with it's lates Rich list. It has put out a list of the top-paid sports persons in 2009.
It's no surprise to see Tiger Woods at the top of the list. Michael Jordan sits tied at No. 2 with Kobe Bryant, both on $45million, even though MJ retired 6 years ago now and Bryant is still playing.
Jordan is doing well in 'retirement' with the Jordan Brand and is now considering purchasing a basketball team.
Motorcar racing, golf and basketball dominate the list with the two outsiders being David Beckham (soccer) and Manny Pacquiao (boxing). Beckham's precense in the list demonstrates that you don't have to be at the top of the game to earn the top money. Beckham has done well through endorsements and publicity and knows how to keep himself in the media spotlight.
How do you make money from a sporting career? As Beckham shows, it's not about being the best. Jordan is still making money when he has long finished playing basketball.
There are no females in the top 10 but a good friend of mine, Kerri Pottharst, knows something about leveraging one's athlete career. Since winning Gold in the 2000 Olympics in beach volleyball, she is a frequent guest speaker at Australian events, runs corporate events and has numerous media spots. She proves you don't have to come from a high-profile sport. It's how you leverage and promote yourself. Want to find out more? I'm interviewing Kerri in August. Find out more