C.R.E.A.M.

Fortunate 50

SI’s Fortunate 50 is composed of the 50 greatest earning athletes in America. You must be a U.S. citizen to qualify. The athlete’s final figure is composed of his salary, bonuses, winnings, endorsement money, and appearance fees for 2005.

Top 10
1.Eldrick
2.Phil Mickelson
3.Shaq
4.Kobe
5.Carson Palmer
6.Bron Bron
7.Jeter
8.ARod
9.Driver Number Eight
10.Mike Vick

Notable Numbers and Names from the List:
*Figures In Millions*

-Atlanta related athletes on the list include Mike Vick (10 from 5 last year), Chipper Jones (42), and former GT basketball star Stephon Marbury (29). Vick signed a 10-year $130 extension with the Falcons in '04. Chipper Jones made $15 in salary in '05. "Starbury" has a player option for '07 worth $20.1, so I doubt he will want to test the FA market until '08-09.

-No.1 Tiger Woods ($97, $87 in endorsements) made more than double what no.2 Phil Mickelson made ($46, $40 in endorsements).

-Lefty moved from no. 9 to 2 on the fortunate list and more than doubled his money in doing so. Last year his figure was $27.4.

-At 30, Tiger has over half a billion in earnings. Last year his figure was $86.

-Despite making less than $1 in endorsements Carson Palmer was the no.5 paid athlete last year.

-LeBron made the most endorsement money ($24) of the "big 3" sport athletes. He was followed by Kobe ($18), Shaq ($14), Peyton Manning($11.5), T.Brady($9), and T.Mac($7.5).

-The 3 Drivers on the top 50 were Junior (9), Gordon (17), and Stewart(34). Earnhardt only had winnings of $6, but he and Gordon made over $15 in endorsements, whereas Stewart only had $3 in endorsements.

-The only other non "big 3" athlete on the list was Agassi (18). He was no.2 last year.

-No women on the top 50 list. Possibilities in the future would include Danica Patrick and Michelle Wie. Wie made $10 in endorsements in '05 at age 16. Serena was no.17 last year.

-Finley (20) and Brian Grant (35) were paid by two different teams last year.

-Baseball's best position player (Pujols) was left out of the top 20 (21).

-Penny Hardaway, Jalen Rose, Brian Grant, and Keith Van Horn all made the list.

-The Knicks will have Starbury(29), Stevie Franchise (43), and Jalen Rose (37) on their team and had Penny (36) last year.

-The Bronx Bombers make up one fifth of the top 25 with Jeter (7), E-Rod(8), Giambi (21), Mussina (22), and the Big Unit (25).

-Jeff Bagwell and his $17 salary made him no. 30 for a year that included 4 doubles 3 HRs and one functioning arm.

-CWebb comes in @ no.16 thanks to a $19.1 salary. He signed a $127 conctract in ’01 while in Sacromento and he will be the NBA’s highest paid player in 07-08. But somehow the Kings actually were able to find a taker for his contract (thanks Billy King). Not only does King have Cwebb's contract but he also has no.14 Allen Iverson who will still have a $22 year on his contract three years from now.

-The average figure actually dropped $0.5 since last year.

-Oscar De La Hoya dropped from no. 4 after two fights in 04 to NR.

INTERNATIONAL 20
These are athletes who are not U.S. citizens.
1.Michael Shumacher - $80 - Auto
2.Valentino Rossi - $30 - Motorcycles
3.Ronaldinho
4.Sharapova
5.David Beckem
6.Ichiro
7.Roger Federer
8.Ronaldo
9.Hedeki Matsui
10.Christian Vieri

FORTUNATE 50 from si.com

INTERNATIONAL 20 from si.com