Golfers dominate highest-paid athletes list

In a new report on the top 25 highest-paid athletes of all-time golfers filled three of the top four spots. Unsurprisingly Tiger Woods was leading the way with $2.1 billion, followed by Arnold Palmer ($1.5b) and Jack Nicklaus ($1.38b) though all three trailed Michael Jordan who has pocketed a staggering $2.1b.

Further down the list, produced by Sportico, we also had Phil Mickelson in 11th on $1.08b and Greg Norman with $815m in 15th spot.

Woods has made $121 million and he was also earning $100m a year away from the course at his peak – at one point he was able to command up to $3m per event for appearance fees. Nicklaus meanwhile has now completed 425 courses which has made up a large chunk of his earnings, Palmer interestingly had a 50-year relationship with Rolex.

“With competitive careers that can span 30 years or more, golfers have the longest shelf life of any pro athletes,” said Bob Dorfman, a sports marketing expert at Pinnacle Advertising. “Combine that with their global appeal across a broad and high-end fan demographic, and it’s no wonder so many rank high among the all-time earners in sports.”