Phil Mickelson to take over Tiger Woods as the top-earning US athlete, Roger Federer tops European list
As if back to back injuries and his deteriorating form on the course were not enough, Tiger Woods’ current status as the top-earning US Athlete in the world is in dire straits. The 14-major-winner has been facing consecutive blows after his extra marital
affairs were revealed in 2007 and later his wife Elin Nordegren decided to part ways with the golfer.
Woods has been without a victory for almost two years and has dropped down to number 15 in the world rankings. The American has also been forced to sit out the current major of the season, the US Open at Congressional Country Club in Maryland, due to a knee
injury.
Phil Mickelson, the second most notable player in the US, is all set to supersede Woods in terms of earnings. Mickelson’s endorsement earnings for 2011 have topped $61.2-million while Woods' earnings have dealt a severe blow of 31 percent drop and are currently
poised at $62.3-million.
Woods has remained the top earning athlete for eight consecutive years and perhaps the most celebrated sportsman in the world. His endorsements and sponsorship deals brought in a staggering $74.2-million in the year 2010. Also known to be the world’s most
marketable athlete, Woods’ signed a five-year contract with the sports giant Nike in 2000 estimated to be $105-million and was the largest endorsement deal signed by any athlete.
The 35-years-old suffered the worst blow to his earnings when corporate sponsors like Accenture, Gillette, AT&T, and Gatorade dropped him just weeks after his philandering hit the headlines.
Current season has been the most devastating for Woods as he slipped out of the top ten in Official World Golf Rankings for the first time in ten years, following his disappointing bids in consecutive events. Woods also announced recently to part ways with
his longtime sports management company, the IMG, after the company refused to extend Mark Steinberg’s contract for another three years. Steinberg has been Woods' agent for several years.
For the non-US sportsmen, Swiss tennis player Roger Federer, winner of a staggering 16 Grand Slam titles, currently tops the earnings with $52.6-million for the year 2011, closely followed by the little smiling Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao. Pacquiao has
the honour of wining several world championships in a number of categories.
Among the various American sportsmen trailing behind Woods and Mickelson are NBA’s Lebron James with his total earnings of $44.5-million, NFL’s Peyton Manning with $38-million and Major League Baseball (MLB) player Alexander Rodriguez with $36-million.
Woods is battering severe injuries to his left knee and Achilles and has decided to stay put, following his doctors advice. He has already undergone four surgeries to his left knee. He was seen limping out of the TPC Sawgrass last month at the Players Championship
after four shots in the first round.
PGA Tour officials have observed a sharp decline in golf viewership this week following Woods decision to stay out of the US open.
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