The world146;s big-ticket players

The basic endorsement issues for players run into problems only for amateurs. When a player has turned professional, he has declared thereby that his primary source of income is that sport.

David Beckham

Although Beckham is no longer captain of the England football team and has moved overseas to play with Los Angeles Galaxy, Beckham is kept in the spotlight with endorsements like his 160 million lifetime deal with Adidas and other lucrative relationships with PepsiCo, Vodafone, Marks 038; Spencer, as well as his line of cologne. His deal with the Galaxy alone was worth a whopping 250 million for five years. His major endorsements include Adidas, Gillette, Marks 038; Spencer, Pepsi, Snickers Candy Bar, TBC Cosmetics, and Vodafone.

Michael Jordan

He was the biggest name, and maybe still is, in basketball. Probably the first athlete to have a whole line of sneakers in his name. During the fiscal year 1998, gross sales for Nike hit 9.89 billion, the highest in industry history. Even through 2004, Jordan8217;s royalty cuts from his product revenues continued to total in the range of 25 million per year. Jordan8217;s star grew so big that even a cologne bearing his name became a hit. Jordan enjoyed royalties of roughly 5 million per year from Bijan. His major endorsements include Nike, Hanes, Bijan, MCI, Gatorade, and Rayovac

Tiger Woods

Quite possibly the most marketable athlete since Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods was on his way to affluence within his first month of turning pro. In 1996 signed first deals with Nike and Titleist for 60 million. Nike signed a 5-year contract of 40 million. Titleist makers of golf balls signed a 5-year contract with Tiger 20 million. American Express has signed a 5-year deal 13 million. Plus Tiger has his own line of clothing with Nike, plus associating with Nike8217;s new golf ball 8212; approximately one per cent share of its 820 million annual market. Predicted to become the first athlete to reach a billion dollars in endorsements. Yearly earnings pegged at around 100 million. Major endorsements include American Express, Buick, Nike, Tag Heuer, and Titleist

Michael Schumacher

Nothing succeeds more than when you are the king now retired of a sport that generates 3 billion a year from broadcasting, merchandising and sponsorship deals. Schumacher is as dominant in making money as he is behind the wheel. He was part of the trio8212;also including Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan 8212; who have earned more than 200 million from their sport over the past five years. Schumacher8217;s two-year contract with Ferrari, guarantees him 35 million a year. The rest comes from win bonuses, endorsements and merchandising. He has sold 300,000 Schumi caps, 30 each.. A German investment outfit inked an 8 million, 3-yr deal to have him wear a 4-inch ad on the baseball cap before and after races. His major endorsements are Philip Morris, Marlboro cigarettes, Shell motor oil, Vodafone, FedEx and Ferrari