How much can you make a year managing a sports team? A lot–if you’re in the right sport, and in the right country. If you can guide the Brazilian soccer team to yet another World Cup victory, or bring an NBA title to every team you touch, you will be rewarded. Handsomely.

Here are the 25 highest-paid sports coaches on the globe. See what it takes to make those millions:

25. John Calipari
Salary: $4.2 million

Image: Sean Davis/Flickr

After sixteen years of NCAA coaching, this hot University of Massachusetts college basketball coach got his big shot with the NBA. Alas, it was for the New Jersey Nets. When the University of Memphis came calling four years later, Calipari moved there. Compared to Jersey, the blue grass smells just fine, thank you very much.

24. Charlie Weiss
Salary: $4.2 million

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Weiss, a 15-year NFL veteran, went “back to school” to coach Notre Dame’s team. Weiss’ mother reportedly told this good Catholic boy that if he could ever work for Notre Dame, he should do so. For free. Luckily, the school and alumni were nice enough to give him a little bit of money for food, bills and such.

23. Joe Torre
Salary: $4.3 million

Image: Laphoto/Flickr

This 9-time MLB All-Star player won the World Series in his first year as the Yankees’ head coach. The stellar manager topped it off with three more World Series wins before coming out to bask in the Los Angeles sunshine.

22. Pete Carroll
Salary: $4.4 million

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Thinking about going back to college? It worked for Pete Carroll. After enjoying 15 years of moderate success as an NFL coach, he went back to USC. He turned USC’s program into a powerhouse again, snagging two BCS bowl National Championships within 4 years. He also gets to live in sunny California.

21. Nick Saban
Salary: $4.72 million

Image: Wikimedia Commons

What are you going to be doing in 2017? Nick Saban knows what he will be doing: Coaching the Alabama Crimson Tide. A long-term deal with a legendary college football program has a way of throwing the spotlight on you. But, jeez, Nick. Watch the tan. It’s inching toward George Hamilton territory.

20. Jim Mora
Salary: $5 million

Image: Keith Allison/Flickr

The Atlanta Falcons were a fun team to coach. That Michael Vick has some future, eh? But Atlanta just doesn’t have enough rain and coffee. What to do?

Jim Mora solved that problem by taking an assistant coach job with the Seattle Seahawks, owned by that other Microsoft guy. He waited for Mike Holmgren (previously the highest paid NFL coach) to retire.

Bam. 5 million. Not bad.

19. Bill Bellichick
Salary: $5 million

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Sure, he has three Super Bowl Rings, four conference titles and six division crowns. But Bill Bellichick is known more for his cut-off hoodies. You could call him a football genius, impresario, sloppy Bill, or cheater. Just know that the Mastermind doesn’t really care what he looks like. Or what you think. That’s Tom Brady’s job.

18. Tom Coughlin
Salary: $5.25 million

Image: Tom O’Neill/Flickr

Coughlin kind of looks like your neighbor who screams at you to “get off his lawn!” Known for his old-school style and colorful language, the New York Giants coach secured his dream QB in Eli Manning. He then guided the team to a Super Bowl championship after 12 seasons in the NFL.

Well done, sir. And nice black socks!

17. Glenn ‘Doc’ Rivers
Salary: $5.5 million

Image: Wikimedia Commons

With the addition of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to the Boston Celtics, Doc Rivers has made some people forget just how bad of coach he was in Orlando (he won under 50% in more than 8 years). During the past two seasons, he had the Celtics and their faithful believing in the playoffs once again.

16. Lovie Smith
Salary: $5.5 million

Image: Wikimedia Commons

He took the Bears to the Super Bowl in 2006, twenty years after Ditka did it with the Fridge. Beset by injuries and QB changes, the soul of Chicago football still reflects Lovie’s smooth style and tireless work ethic.

15. Jeff Fisher
Salary: $5.5 million

Image: Wikimedia Commons

One of the most beloved members of the NFL football family, Jeff Fisher was known as a hard working, loyal player. Those traits solidified his Tennessee Titans coach position for the past 15 years–the longest tenure of any current head coach. It turns out that they pay well for loyalty and stability, too.

14. Larry Brown
Salary: $6 million

Image: Ballerblogger/Flickr

Take heed, D’Antoni. New York put so much pressure on the Knicks owners to fire Larry Brown that they paid him $18 million to kindly take his ball and leave. His bags of cash and legend remained firmly intact when he moved down to Charlotte, N.C to coach the Bobcats. Besides, $6 million goes a lot further down South.

13. Don Nelson
Salary: $6 million

Image: BettorsEdge

Earlier in his career, Nelson was a five-time NBA champion. He’s the second-winningest coach in the history of the NBA (1,309). He was named NBA Coach of the Year three times.

Despite all those accolades, he has the worst job in the NBA. It has been said that the team he coaches, the Golden State Warriors, couldn’t beat a Catholic girls basketball team.

Ouch. Maybe that is why Don Nelson lives in Hawaii during the off-season.

12. Mike D’Antoni
Salary: $6 million

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Mike D’Antoni turned the Phoenix Suns around. Then, it all fell apart. After that, the storied Chicago Bulls came calling with a bit more money. But who can say no to coaching in the world’s media capital? After struggling for an identity, the New York Knickerbockers landed their elusive coach. Now the Big Apple has a new punching bag.

11. Arsene Wenger
Salary: $7 million

Image: Shields_t/Flickr

The French manager’s patented approach of crafting young players into superstars keeps Arsenal on top. Wenger turned down a pile of money from Real Madrid in the summer of 2009, endearing him to fans for years to come.

Continue to the top 10 Highest Paid Sports Coaches in the World ->

The Yankees won the world series last yesterday, thanks in part to Hideki Matsui’s stellar performance. They also top the MLB payroll for 2009. Here’s part of the list, as compiled by the AP:

1. New York Yankees $201,449,289
2. New York Mets $135,773,988
3. Chicago Cubs $135,050,000
4. Boston Red Sox $122,696,000
5. Detroit Tigers $115,085,145
6. Los Angeles Angels $113,709,000
7. Philadelphia Phillies $113,004,048
8. Houston Astros $102,996,415
9. Los Angeles Dodgers $100,458,101
10. Seattle Mariners $98,904,167

See the full list here.

Clearly, the Yankees used more than money to win last night. And if payroll is that crucial, what happened with the Mets, the MLB’s second-highest paying team this year?

Fedor Emelianenko has been called the baddest man on the planet. We think a case can be made that he is the most fit man to have ever lived in the history of our species. Undefeated for nearly a decade, this MMA (mixed martial arts) hero’s explosive ring style leaves opponents and spectators stunned.

On November 7, Fedor fights American Brett Rogers in Chicago. Rogers has remained undefeated for two years—but will his aggressive fight stand up to Fedor’s thunderous punches and uncanny ability to power out of submission attempts?

Fedor is one of this decade’s most skilled athletes. When you investigate him more closely, it becomes clear that he has set himself up for success. Discipline, a simple routine, the right support network, and calm before the fight are some of the secret ingredients to Fedor’s unparalleled success. Business can learn from his style. Here are ten business lessons that Fedor can impart:

1. Stay calm

Fedor stays calm and stoic before a match, to the point of looking bored. Unlike some of his opponents, he doesn’t get himself pumped up or trash talk before a fight. Instead, he has been known to play cards with his friends. When Fedor enters the ring, he does so with respect. He saves all his energy for the fight.

During Fedor’s fights, that focus pays off. Nobody has proven a match for his explosive speed and power in almost a decade. Moreover, Fedor’s calm demeanor adds to his mystique. It disarms many opponents, giving him an instant advantage. They just can’t read him. It makes them nervous–which is something Fedor benefits from.

2. Focus on the fundamentals

Fedor appears nonchalant and stoic–until he throws a punch. He wastes no energy on appearances. He doesn’t express emotion during fights. By not distributing his energy elsewhere, he is able to focus completely on a fight. And by focusing completely, he is able to use more energy in the fight. And win.

3. Be prepared & disciplined

Fedor knows that a fighter is as good as the work he puts in. He keeps a regular, intense training schedule. He runs five miles in the morning, then wrestles, practices boxing, grappling and sparring, and strengthens by doing pull-ups, crunches, and dips.

He doesn’t take days off. He does everything from start to finish—and devotes himself completely. That takes an incredible amount of discipline and endurance.

This preparation and discipline pays off in the ring, where his focus doesn’t waver.

4. Avoid complacency

When Fedor started fighting, he said that he always felt he could do great. His coach said that he always had raw talent, and learned new things quickly. Fedor was promising from the very beginning.

As he ascended through the MMA ranks, Fedor easily could have grown complacent, relishing his position on the top. But he didn’t. He doesn’t see himself as the best, but as someone who is always growing. He is always getting better. And that attitude keeps him on top.

5. Keep it simple

Fedor adheres to a steady, normal routine. It’s the same basic routine, week in and week out. And it works.

Moreover, he trains virtually in secrecy. His seclusion keeps him from being distracted by fans, fads, and other potential weakeners of the will. Moreover, his seclusion adds to his mystique. He always keeps everyone guessing—in part by staying guarded about his own routine.

His consistency also pays off in the ring, where he remains undefeated.

6. Stay steady in a storm

Fedor stays relaxed and flexible, even in the ring. During his PRIDE fight with Kevin Randleman in 2004, Randleman suplexed Fedor, potentially injuring him. Fedor, however, was so relaxed and flexible that he recovered quickly—and ended up winning the match. He generally looks and acts calm, even in the heat of a fight.

7. Respect everyone

When Fedor fights, he explodes on his opponents. Any opponent has good reason to be scared of him before entering the ring. Yet Fedor is always respectful of his opponents. When he enters a fight, he wishes respect. He doesn’t glare or talk or move around. He’s inert and polite—until he starts hitting.

8. Have the right team

Fedor surrounds himself people he knows well and respects. He trains with longtime grappling, boxing, and Muay Thai coaches. His doctor Oleg Neustroev is also his masseur and psychologist. He is close to his training partners. He also remains close to his friends, who have known him for a long time, and family. He and his priest are also close. His good relationship with his team gives him a tight-knit, steady support network.

9. Be a leader

Fedor’s stellar fighting has inspired millions of fans. But he doesn’t let fame fluff up his ego. Instead, Fedor uses popularity to help others succeed. He enjoys trying to be useful to people. He takes on the role of a mentor instead of a superstar. He teaches classes. Before the Beijing Olympics, he carried the torch for Russia in St. Petersburg. He is exemplary rather than haughty, which proves his strength of character.

10. Live in the present

Fedor knows life can’t be scripted. That’s one reason he stays so relaxed in the ring. He remains present during the fight, allowing him to adapt his moves as the fight unfolds. Staying aware also helps him study his opponent in real-time and react efficiently to situations within the fight. His discipline helps him prepare, his focus concentrates his energy, and his present-moment awareness leaves him prepared for any move.

Some of this year’s top contenders also happen to be some of the most financially endowed players, too. Roger Federer, though he tops the list, is hardly the only multimillionaire serving during this week’s Grand Slam. The four players trailing behind him have all done incredibly well of prize money, sponsorships, and other ventures. See who ranks richest in the 2009 US Open*:

5. Andy Roddick

Career prize money: $16,818,084
Sponsors: Rolex, Lacoste, SAP, Babolat, Lagardere

Roddick won the US Open in 2003, but since then, rival Roger Federer has continually taken the title. In fact, Federer has beat Roddick for several Grand Slam titles over the years, leaving Roddick steadily behind on the court (worldwide, he is ranked 5th). The 27-year-old Omaha native, who boasts the fastest serve in tennis (155 mph), faces Federer again in this year’s US Open. Good thing he has sponsors to keep him afloat if he doesn’t win–again.

4. Venus Williams

Career prize money: $23,870,938
Sponsors: Electronic Arts, American Express, Kraft, Powerade, SEGA
Also owns EleVen (a women’s clothing line) and, with Serena, part-owns the Miami Dolphins.

The #3-ranked women’s tennis player has won 18 Grand Slam titles. A number of her games have been against sister and sometimes-rival Serena, who currently outranks Venus at #2. Yet Venus, who is also a design entrepreneur and successful campaigner for equal pay in tennis, continues to show her prowess at raking in funds through areas outside of tennis. She is not only a successful tennis player, but an advocate and entrepreneur, too.

3. Rafael Nadal

Career prize money: $25,182,970
Sponsors: Nike, Kia, Babolat, Mapfre, Illes Balears, Time Force, Banesto, L’Oreal, Lanvin

#3-ranked Rafael Nadal has never won a US Open. This six-time Grand Slam winner no doubt has his sights on the prize. The real question is whether his knees, which are recovering from tendinitis, will let him perform the way he needs to in order to beat rivals like Roger Federer. That said, the 23-year-old Spaniard has raked up significant earnings during his career. Hopefully they will be enough to keep him competitive on the court.

2. Serena Williams

Career prize money: $25,999,373
Sponsors: Nike, Wilson, HP, Kraft, Electronic Arts, Home Shopping Network, Gatorade
Also co-founded MISSION skincare, and has her own line of Nike designer clothes

#2-ranked Serena Williams has won more career prize money and Grand Slam titles than any other female player. Her success on the court has allotted her an unprecedented amount of prize money (for a female player). Like her sister Venus, she designs fashion, which she sells through Nike. She also has a good shot at winning this year’s US Open.

1. Roger Federer

Career prize money: $49,977,919
Sponsors: Gillette, Jura, Mercedes-Benz, Nationale Suisse, NetJets, Nike, Rolex, SWISS (airlines), Wilson

Federer has won every US Open since 2004. What’s to stop him this year? A Rafael Nadal comeback, maybe, but certainly not a lack of funds. The #1-ranked men’s player is not only the richest tennis player in history, but arguably the best player, too.

*Based mainly on career prize money, as listed on the US Open official site.

Cities around the nation are celebrating 2009 Bike to Work day this Friday, May 15. The League of American Bicyclists has more on Bike-to-Work Day, which is part of Bike-to-Work Week, which, you guessed it, occurs during Bike Month.

The purpose of Bike-to-Work Day is to increase knowledge and incentive for bicycle commuting. According to the League of American Bicyclists, more than half of the US population lives within five miles of their workplace. After participating in Bike-to-Work day, many former drivers become full-time bike commuters.

Why participate in Bike-to-Work Day? As a commuter, this should be a no-brainer. You get free breakfast. You get your bike tuned up for free. More often than not, you receive free schwag. You get a workout. Other possible perks include:

–Free public transportation for cyclists
–Festivals and rallies
–Free water or coffee
–Bike convoys
–Concerts
–Free T-shirts
–The chance to bond with your community

Employers benefit from Bike-to-Work Day through marketing and networking opportunities as well as the chance to groom a fitter, happier, more productive workforce.

If you choose to make biking to work a permanent activity, it will pay off handsomely. Benefits include (from the LAB):

-Save money on parking fees, traffic tickets, gas, car maintenance and insurance, and transit fares.
-Avoid traffic jams.
-Relieve stress.
-Burn calories: A 10-mile bike commute burns 400 calories for a 180-pound man.
-Sculpt your butt.
-Reduce your carbon footprint.
-Save gas.
-When you ride your bike on short trips instead of driving, you save 3.6 pounds of pollutants per mile
-Park almost anywhere.
-For companies: Healthy, fit employees are more productive and register fewer sick days.
-More than 66% of the US population is overweight. It only takes 30 minutes of moderate physical activity three days a week to improve fitness levels. Biking to work is a no-brainer way of achieving this minimum.
-The average commuter travels at 10 mph. This is not terribly hard to beat on your bike.
-Bikes are quicker on trips of 3-5 miles.

Regardless of your age, a bike may also help you count yourself among the ranks of the young and hip. Former FDIC chairman and CNBC commentator Bill Seidman, who passed away this week, biked to work almost every day, according to MSNBC–because he loved being around young people. It’s a subtle added bonus.

Happy Bike-to-Work Day! May your bicycling become a lifelong habit.

The New York Times recently published a provocative article on the swindle…err, business of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) and college bowls:

Statistically, the system is such an abomination that at least one expert…advocated that no self-respecting statistician should have anything to do with it…he wrote that the B.C.S. computer rankings serve as little more than a confirmation of the results of the two opinion polls the system also uses to create its rankings. The people who run the computer rankings, he noted…are not allowed to use the score or site of a game in their calculations.

“The six big conferences don’t want to share money with the smaller conferences,” (expert) Stern said. “That to me is the story that people don’t tell.”

After the derivatives crisis, Enron, Madoff, and other recent Great American money-mongering schemes, the BCS remains intact. According to this chart, the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl, the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, FedEx Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl presented by Citi, Allstate Sugar Bowl, and the BCS National Championship Game (with rotating sponsors) have a payout of $17 million each, for a total of $85 million. Compare that to the 30+ non-BCS bowl games that take place posteason. Their payouts total roughly $43 million.

More:

in the best-case scenario schools from the non-BCS conferences would receive approximately 34% of the least of the schools in the BCS conferences, including Notre Dame. These numbers are not the actual amounts paid to each school, but look at the amounts paid to each school on average.

The BCS Media Guide claims that over the first 10 years of the BCS arrangement, a total of $100 million has been given to the 51 non-BCS Football Bowl Subdivision schools and the 122 Football Championship Subdivision schools. This gives an average of $10M/year, or $58,803 per school year. By comparison, EACH BCS conference (between eight and twelve schools) is guaranteed $18 million this year, an average of $1.66M per school for the 65 participating institutions. These disparities are clearly defined within the Media Guide.

Why not a playoff, like every other sport in the NCAA? The BCS isn’t a requirement of the sport at all; rather, it is a corrupt financial system that rewards those in the club, propogates mediocrity, and often fails to decisively decide the best team in the nation.

Jordan Kobritz at The Guiding Light of the Sports Business has this to say:

A playoff is held in every other football division and every other NCAA sport. But the BCS isn’t affiliated with the NCAA. The six conferences that comprise the BCS broke away from the governing body in the aftermath of a 1981 lawsuit brought by the Universities of Oklahoma and Georgia.

So why allow yourself to be ripped off by the existing bowls? The answer has nothing to do with tradition or the sanctity of the bowls. The current system suits the BCS conferences just fine. They get to decide who gets how much money and they don’t have to deal with the NCAA. In this case, power is more important than money.

Let me get this straight. The polling system that decides who attends BCS bowls is notoriously faulty. The payouts for attendees of those conferences–and, even more, the BCS itself–are ridiculous in comparison to non-BCS games. BCS championships attract more sponsors, viewers, and promotions than any of the others, providing incentive for those profiting most off the system to maintain it.

This very well may be one of the most blatant lacks of oversight remaining in the American economy. If Obama pushes around his weight here, it will be welcomed.

(Suppose she’s listening to total immersion English?)

In a controversial decision, the LPGA has decided to require players to speak English. What? Oh the horror! My only question is, what took so long?

The golf course has always been more about striking deals than the ball. Until recently, it was barley considered a sport. But Tiger changed all that. Now, in addition to fat white guys talking politics and rotary club, you’ve got a young, hip contingent hitting the links – even girls! Even people who don’t speak English! 

While youth and diversity bring all kinds of new opportunities to ‘monetize’ the game of golf, they also pose challenges to the old guard. The new kids on the course would do well to understand the economics behind their ability to earn a living from chasing a little ball around the lawn. There are sponsorships, clothing, and big tourism dollars. And as far as the LPGA is concerned, all these are bankrolled in English. Hence the new requirement.

…the LPGA, struggling to keep sponsors in certain cities, needed to make all of its players more fan friendly and, at the very least, capable of communicating with well-heeled pro-am partners. It’s a language fluency that most agree is the price of doing business on the golf course in the women’s game.

Conversation is part of the game of golf – any game. When the LPGA rolls in to town, it’s a big deal. Local media is all over it and corporations pay decent money to play with the ladies in Pro-Am tournaments. Is it too much to ask that the players engage reporters and sponsors in English?

The Golf Channel’s Brian Hewitt has seen it firsthand:

Four cigar-chomping, middle-aged American men saying hello to a 22-year-old South Korean woman who bows at the introduction on the first tee. There are smiles but very few words exchanged over the next five and a half hours after which the men scratch their heads and wonder why their foursome paid $10,000 for little or no conversation.

What do you think? Reasonable requirement or infringement of civil liberties?

Sports contracts over the years have gotten so extreme that they make even wealthy people envious. It wasn’t always like this, this era of contracts started in the late 80’s with Kirby Puckett being the first player to receive a $3 million dollar contract in 1989 according to the Sporting News. That might not seem like a lot, but for MLB, it was a great deal at that time. And it did not stop there. That was just what opened the flood gates.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the 25 biggest and most expensive sports contracts ever signed (in descending order).

1 – Jason Giambi – New York Yankees – Baseball – $120,000,000

These days, Jason Giambi seems more of a DH than a power hitting first baseman. That said, he was once the power hitting first baseman for the Oakland Athletics, but when Mark McQuire was traded in 1997, Jason became the first baseman.

In 2003, Giambi was named in the Balco investigation, blemishing his otherwise promising career. Since then, he apologized to the organization as well as the fans and promised to return to his previous form.

2 – Shaquille O’Neal – Los Angeles Lakers – Basketball – $120,000,000

Shaquille O’Neal originally played college basketball for the LSU tigers. He is probably one of the biggest players in the NBA to come along since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or Wilt Chamberlain, and we’re not referring to his stature. The contract in question was signed in 1996 and ran through the 2003 season and made NBA history.

Shaq, as he is endearingly called, spent the first 4 years of his career with the Orlando Magic where he helped them win 20 more games than in the previous year, and made his first NBA All-Star game in1993. Shaq is also one of the few players that has a better average shooting field goals (.581 lifetime) than he does with free throws (.524 lifetime).

3 – Mike Hampton – Colorado Rockies – Baseball – $121,000,000

Mike Hampton signed an 8 year deal with the Colorado Rockies worth $121,000,000 in 2001. What’s interesting about this deal is that Hampton hasn’t even pitched extensively since August 19, 2005. He faced several injuries in 2005, and underwent Tommy Johns surgery to repair his throwing arm.

In 2002, a year after the contract was signed, the Rockies traded him to the Florida Marlins, who then proceeded to trade him to the Atlanta Braves. Once in Atlanta, Mike was able to work with then pitching coach Leo Mazzone who helped him get out of the funk he had gotten himself into while in Colorado.

4 – Tim Duncan – San Antonio Spurs – Basketball – $122,007,704

Tim Duncan’s contract runs through the 2010 season with the San Antonio Spurs. Tim was born on the US Virgin Island of Saint Croix, and is still featured prominently on billboards all over St. Croix. Duncan was originally picked in the 1997 draft by the Spurs after a stellar college career for the Wake Forest Demon Decons.

Tim Duncan’s entire professional career has been with this one team, which in today’s sports, is remarkable in itself. Tim holds many awards, including the 1998 NBA Rookie of the year, 2002 and 2003 NBA MVP, 1999, 2003, and 2005 NBA Finals MVP, and a 4 time NBA Champion. He was on the winning team in 1999, 2003, 2005, and 2007.

5 – Chris Webber – Sacramento Kings – Basketball – $122,718,750

Chris Webber might be best known as a member of the famed Fab Five for the Michigan Wolverines. This group of five outstanding players all entered into college in 1991 and took their team to the finals twice, but did not win. In the 1993 draft, he was selected by the Orlando Magic who then proceeded to trade him to the Golden State Warriors. Chris played there through 1994 when he was traded to the Washington Bullets where he played until 1998. In May of that year, Chris was traded again; this time he was going to the Sacramento Kings. In 2001, the Kings locked him into a 7 year deal, but traded him once again in 2005, this time to Philidephia. Chris is still playing today as he has come full circle, playing in 2008 for the Golden State Warriors.

6 – Alexander Ovechkin – Washington Capitals – Ice hockey – $124,000,000

This is by far the longest contract that made this list. In 2008 the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League signed Alexander Ovechkin to the biggest contract of the league. He was originally drafted by the Capitals in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft first overall. Due to the 2004-05 NHL lockout, Ovechkin did not start playing in the NHL until the 2005 season, but when he did start playing, he became the first rookie that was named to the NHL First All-Star Team in 15 years.

Overchkin’s performance, and therefore his value continued to rise the more he played and continued to set records and collect rewards. On January 13, 2008, ESPN reported that Ovechkin and Washington Capital had come to terms on this 13 year contract for $124 million.

7 – Michael Schumacher – Ferrari – Auto racing – $124,000,000

In 1996, Michael Schumacher and Ferrari came to an agreement on a 4 year contract. One of the most amazing things was that out of the 7 championships that Schumacher won, none of them was during this span. His first two championships were 1994 and 1995 and his last 5 were 2000 – 2004. The first titles he was racing for the Benetton-Ford team.

Schumacher made his debut Formula One race at the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix for the Jordan-Ford team, wining his last five titles. Schumacher decided to retire in 2006 from Formula One racing and later came back as an advisor to Ferrari and Jean Todt’s super assistant in 2007.

8 – Rashard Lewis – Orlando Magic – Basketball – $126,000,000

In July of 2007, the Orlando Magic and Rashard Lewis came to an agreement in a contract that would lock him in for 6 years and pay him $118 million dollars over those 6 years. After spending the first 9 years of his career with the Seattle SuperSonics, he opted out of his final 2 years on May 25, 2007.

Rashard has averaged 16.8 points a game over his 10 year career. Rashard never played college ball as he opted out and went into the 1998 NBA draft. He was selected by the SuperSonics in the third pick of the second round that year, making him the 32nd pick overall. Lewis has been to the playoffs a total of 4 times, three times with Seattle and the last time (07-08 season) with Orlando. He holds an average of 17.1 points during the playoffs

9 – Vernon Wells – Toronto Blue Jays – Baseball – $126,000,000

December 15, 2006 saw Vernon Wells locked in with the Toronto Blue Jays on a seven year contract that would pay him $126 million dollars over that time. This contract will take him through the 2014 season and includes a “no trade” clause in it as well to protect the interest of Wells.

Vernon broke into pro baseball when he entered the amateur draft in 1997 and was selected by Toronto in the first round as the fifth overall pick. He bounced through the organization until he got his shot in 2002 with the Major League club. He belongs to the Top 500 home run hitters of all time list.

10 – Barry Zito – San Francisco Giants – Baseball – $126,000,000

Barry Zito locked into a 7 year deal with the San Francisco Giants worth $126 million dollars. Barry has become one of the dominant left-handed pitchers of the decade. He was originally drafted in 1996 by the Seattle Mariners and again in 1998 by the Texas Rangers, but did not sign with either of these teams.

Instead, he finished his college days at USC after transferring from Los Angeles Pierce College (and UC Santa Barbara before that). Barry was drafted again by the Oakland Athletics in 1999 and made major league debut against the Anaheim Angels on July 22, 2000. He pitched for the Athletics from 2000 to 2006.

11 – Kevin Garnett – Minnesota Timberwolves – Basketball – $126,000,000

Kevin Garnett is currently playing for the NBA’s Boston Celtics. When he was with the Minnesota Timberwolves, he had signed a seven year deal with the Timberwolves that would pay him $126 million dollars. Garnett was originally drafted in the 1995 NBA draft and was the first player since Moses Malone to be drafted right out of high school since 1974.

Minnesota decided that this would be their Franchise Player but they became increasingly frustrated with him starting in 2004 and through 2007 due to issues with the team and their inability to win. On July 31st of 2007, all of that was remedied as Kevin was traded to the Boston Celtics. Ironically enough, he would go on to win a NBA Championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008.

12 – Jermaine O’Neal – Indiana Pacers – Basketball – $126,558,000

Jermaine O’Neal is another player that never graced the floor of a college basketball team. A 6′ 11″, he declared his NBA eligibility in the 1996 draft. He was taken 17th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers that year. From the day O’Neal entered the league, till the time he was traded to the Indiana Pacer, O’Neal believed that he was treated unfairly.

O’Neal spent most of his time in Portland on their bench and was eventually traded to the Pacers where he debuted as a starter in the 2001 season. The Pacers were so impressed with O’Neal that on Jul 16, 2003, they decided to give Jermaine a six year deal that held a value of $126,558,000.

13 – Peyton Manning – Indianapolis Colts – Football – $132,500,000

Peyton Manning got his long term contract in 2005 when he signed on with the Indianapolis Colts. Peyton had already spent 7 years in Indianapolis as the Colts quarterback, and in 2004 he would have a record setting season (which was one of the main reasons the Colts wanted to desperately lock him in for the remainder of his career).

While still in college, Manning had amassed 11,201 yards and 89 touchdowns, winning 39 of 45 games as a starter, and becoming the Volunteer’s all-time leading passer. His highlights, records, and awards would not stop there though. In 2006, the Colts had their best season yet as Peyton led them to a Superbowl Championship against the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI.

14 – Alfonso Soriano – Chicago Cubs – Baseball – $136,000,000

Alfonso Soriano has made a name for himself during the New York Yankee years as their lead off hitter. He has made the 30-30 club, the 40-40 club, and is part of the Top 500 home run hitters of all time just to name a few of his achievements so far. 2001 was Soriano’s rookie year and he finished third in the Rookie of the Year award.

In 2004, Alfonso was traded to the Texas Rangers along with a minor leaguer for Alex Rodriguez and a cash compensation of $67 million. Soriano played in Texas through the 2005 season when in December, he was traded again. The Chicago Cubs also offered him an eight-year contract worth nearly $136 million dollars which he accepted.

15 – Kobe Bryant – Los Angeles Lakers – Basketball – $136,400,000

Kobe Bryant’s 7-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers gives him the title of the most expensive Basketball contract of all time. Kobe has been instrumental in leading the Lakers to 3 consecutive NBA Championships between 2000 and 2002. He made history when he became the first guard to ever be drafted out of high school in 1996, giving him instant notoriety.

Kobe’s contract came around the same time that the Lakers decided it was time to part ways with Shaquille O’Neal in favor of building their team around Kobe. Unfortunately, the Lakers have not won another NBA Championship since then (even as Kobe has ammassed numerous awards and achievements).

16 – Johan Santana – New York Mets – Baseball – $137,500,000

Johan Santana had one of the biggest and most talked about trade potentials in baseball’s off season. The New York Mets signed him to a 6-year, $137 million dollar contract that would make him the highest paid pitcher in the Major Leagues. And well-deserved when you look at what he can do to an offense. Santana debuted with the Minnesota Twins on April 3, 2000 and came out of the bullpen against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, as they were known then. He got his first major league start against the Kansas City Royals on August 7, 2000.

Santana holds a 3.29 career ERA that teams lovem and opponents are batting just .219 lifetime against him. With masterful control, he might be one of the greatest left handed pitchers to grace the mound in some time.

17 – Todd Helton – Colorado Rockies – Baseball – $151,500,000

Todd Helton, born in Knoxville, Tennessee, holds the second longest contract of this list at 11 years. He originally signed this long term deal in 2001, which was stated as a 9 year extension to his current contract. He also has an option for the 2012 season. Todd has accomplished a number of notable achievements over the years, including 5 time All-Star and a 3 time Gold Glove winner.

Todd was drafted in his junior year in the first round, eighth overall, in the 1995 Major League Baseball Draft by the Colorado Rockies. He was signed in July of the same year. Todd has spent his entire career with the Colorado Rockies and only recently have talks started about trading him away.

18 – Miguel Cabrera – Detroit Tigers – Baseball – $152,300,000

Miguel Cabrera busted on the scene in 2003 in style with the Florida Marlins by hitting a walk off home run in his first major league game on June 20, 2003. He was just 20 years old. His bat was so good that he was very instrumental in the playoffs for the Florida Marlins and was a huge part of them beating the Yankees that year. Miguel would end up on the cover of the ESPN magazine during the off season due to his exceptional statistics which showed no signs of tapering off. In December of 2007, the Marlins agreed on a deal that would send Cabrera and team mate Dontrelle Willis to the Tigers for 6 players. In March of 2008, Miguel Cabrera and the Detroit Tigers came to an agreement on his most impressive contract of his still young career. It is an 8 year deal that will take him through the 2015 season.

19 – Kimi Räikkönen – Ferrari – Auto Racing – $153,000,000

2007 saw Ferrari snap up one of the best drivers in Formula One Racing and giving him the second largest contract in racing history. Kimi Räikkönen busted on the scene in 2001 with the Sauber Formula One team and soon enough, he left them for McLaren where he would stay until 2006. During that span he was only able to muster a second place finish twice. The other 3 years saw a 6th place finish in 2002, a 7th place finish in 2004, and a 5th place finish in 2006. Kimi did not see success until 2007 when he moved to Ferrari. He was able to capture a 1st place finish in 2007 and currently is 2nd in 2008. His career was plagued with technical problems which caused 38% of his races to end in retirement.

20 – Fernando Alonso – McLaren – Auto Racing – $160,000,000

Even though McLaren™ decided to make Fernando the highest paid driver on the Formula One circuit in 2007, Alonso didn’t stick around for the 4 years of the contract due to an “on again, off again” relationship over the next two years. Alonzo started his F1 career with Minardi in 2001, as the third youngest driver ever to start a Formula One race when he debuted at the 2001 Australian Grand Prix. On August 24, 2003, Alonso would be the youngest driver ever to win a Formula One race when he took the checkered flag at the 2003 Hungarian Grand Prix. On December 19, 2005, Alonso announced that he would be moving to McLaren in 2007 after his contract expired with Renault. In 2008, Alonso would be back in a Renault owned car.

21 – Manny Ramirez – Boston Redsox – Baseball – $160,000,000

When Manny Ramirez signed this contract, it made him the highest paid Red Sox player of all time.

His strong bat has led him to be one of the most feared power hitters and placing him in the group of 24 sluggers that have hit 500 or more home runs.

22 – Michael Vick – Atlanta Falcons – Football – $167,000,000

Michael Vick had a celebrated career at Virginia Tech prior to be drafted by the Falcons in 2001. He joined Tommy Nobis, Steve Bartkowski, and Aundray Bruce as the Falcons only #1 overall picks in all of club history. Michael’s contract was short lived as he is currently serving a sentence for issues relating to his property in Virginia. His contract was signed in 2005 and extended to 2014. It remains to be seen if he can come back to the Falcons and even if he can, will he still have the effect that he once had.

23 – Derek Jeter – New York Yankees – Baseball – $189,000,000

One of only 2 baseball players with a 10-year contract, Derek Jeter started his career as a Yankee in 1992 as he was drafted 6th overall and has always worn the pinstripes. He has earned himself the name of Mr. Yankee, and is currently listed as the Yankees’ captain. He has also played in 9 All-Star games representing the New York Yankees and ranks in the top ten in the production catergories of hits (second), runs (fourth), and batting average (seventh). Derek signed his new 10-year contract in 2001. It currently runs through 2011.

24 – Alex Rodriguez – Texas Rangers – Baseball – $252,000,000

Alex received his first major contract in Texas when he became a free agent after the 2000 season was over. The Texas Rangers needed someone to build their team around after hitting rock bottom, and Alex seemed like the perfect player for the job. Unfortunately, however, A-Rod did not seem to be working for Texas as in 2001 and 2002 they still finished in the cellar of their division. It was time to let Alex go, and Texas did exactly that, right before the start of the 2004 season.

25 – Alex Rodriguez – New York Yankees – Baseball – $275,000,000

One of only 2 baseball players with a 10 year contract, Alex was originally traded to the Yankees on February 15, 2004 to replace a void created when then third baseman Aaron Boone injured his knee in a pick-up game of basketball. This injury put him out for the entire year. Furthermore, Texas had already been looking for a place to dump Alex and his enormous salary and this was just the opening that they had wanted. The re-signing of Rodriquez was strange to say the least as he would be opting out of his $252 million dollar 10-year contract. Lucky for him, the New York Yankees picked him up soon after, and signed him to a new 10-year contract worth $275 million.

Here’s the list, from richest to…poorest? I think not:

1. Kobe Bryant, basketball player from the United States.
Income: $39 million/year

This Lakers and NBA MVP rakes in millions through sponsorship contracts and an LA Lakers contract worth more than $130 million.

Recently, $39 million also went to:
–Dallas Cowboys’ free safety Ken Hamlin, who just won a 6-year contract for $39 million.
–Tennessee Titans right tackle David Stewart and New York Rangers defenseman Wade Redden won similar 6-year contracts.
–Mobile virtual operator Helio, who just received that amount in a Virgin Mobile buyout.

2. LeBron James, basketball star from the United States.
Income: $38 million/year

Nicknamed “The Chosen One” by Sports Illustrated, James turned the Cleveland Cavaliers into a household name. He’s 24 years old.

$38 million also went to:
–Victims of Minneapolis’ Interstate 35 bridge collapse, which killed 13 people in 2007.
–Cell phone manufacturer GreatCall, in a third round of funding.
–Rush Limbaugh, every year, for the next 8 years.

3. Ronaldinho, soccer star from Brazil.
Income: $37 million/year

Brazil’s second phenomenal Ronaldo got $42 million for signing with FC Barcelona. He’s also rolling in endorsements.

$37 million also went to:
–Canada’s Horseshoe Valley Resort, after it was bought out by Skyline International.
–Two dozen states, from the CVS pharmacy chain, after it billed Medicaid patients too much for an antacid.
–The largest homeless program in VA history.

4. Roger Federer, Swiss tennis star.
Income: $35 million/year

12 Grand Slam titles—including 5 Wimbledons—are only part of what make Federer eligible to be the greatest tennis player in history. With all those wins, he makes some serious prize money.

$35 million also went to:
–Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, in a seven-year contract.
–Rwanda, from the World Bank, for agricultural improvements.
–Various states during primary and caucus periods, from the US coal industry, to fight legislation that would slow global warming.

5. Yao Ming, basketball player from China.
Income: $28 million/year

China adores Yao. He’ll probably glean another million worth of sponsorships just by gracing the Beijing Olympics.

$28 million also went to:
–UC Berkeley, for helping build a science and technology university in Saudi Arabia.
–Ford Motor Co. CEO Alan Mulally, in 2007, for 4 months on the job.
–Senator Barack Obama’s campaign, in February, after raising $28 million in funds online in a single month.

6. Dwyane Wade, basketball player from the USA.
Income: $27 million/year

Wade, Miami Heat star and Sports Illustrated’s 2006 Sportsman of the Year, is a seriously accomplished player—at only 26 years old.

$27 million also went to:
–An Egyptian Al Qaeda foot soldier, by the US government, for giving United States intelligence information leading to a 9/11 mastermind’s arrest.
–Victims of last year’s horrendous California wildfires, by donors.
–The St. Regis hotel in Beijing, in a lengthy renovation.

7. Maria Sharapova, tennis star from Russia.
Income: $26 million/year

Tennis skill sells. Sexy blond tennis skill sells even more.

$26 million also went to:
–Anyone with a sound proposal to “advance innovative computational thinking,” from the National Science Foundation.
–Google.org beneficiaries, in grants and investments.
–Job seekers in New York, from the NY State Department of Labor.

8. Dirk Nowitzki, basketball player from Germany.
Income: $25 million/year

This Dallas Mavericks poster boy created Germany’s biggest love affair with an America-based star since Hasselhoff.

$25 million also went to:
–The person who figured out how to remove a billion tons of CO2 from the earth’s atmosphere in a year, from Sir Richard Branson.
–People like you, for giving the United States government tips leading to the capture of terrorists like these guys.
–TV ads by the lefty organizations behind Health Care for America Now, which will soon blitz your TV with ads advocating better healthcare.

9. Jason Kidd, basketball player from the United States.
Income: $20 million/year

Van Riper calls Kidd “one of the greatest point guards in NBA history.” He’s 35 years old, so should soon be enjoying a sweet nest egg.

$20 million also went to:
–Annoying Internet website HotorNot.com, after a buyout by Avid Life Media.
–Someone in Vietnam, for writing a killer business plan.
–Someone in the world, from Google, for offering a private moon mission.

10. Pau Gasol, basketball player from Spain.
Income: $15 million/year

A recent move to the LA Lakers made Gasol Kobe Bryant’s sidekick. More visibility will surely lead to bigger sponsorships.

$15 million also went to:
–IM/blogging company Twitter, from investor Spark Capital, to fund the company.
–Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, from celebrity magazines (this is a ballpark amount), for pictures of their twin babies.
–The John McCain campaign, in March.

With the Beijing Olympics in the not-too-distant future, I decided to find out more about the economics involved in hosting any Olympic Games.

Instead, I found an old BBC article claiming that rich countries’ athletes always perform best in the games. A pair of Harvard economists concluded that rich countries, along with ruling everything else in the world, rule the Olympic games.

Researching five decades of statistical information on GDP, “political factors such as multi-party democracy,” geographical factors such as average temps, and past Olympic performance, the economists came to the following conclusions:

Although there are certain anomalies – notably impoverished but sporty Romania – rich countries always perform best.

(James Arnold, “The Economics of the Olympic Games,” BBC Online, 2/14/02)

I think China will be doing pretty well this time around—not only because they’re huge and they’re hosting the Games, but because they have correlative GDP to these days to land some serious medals.

And, theoretically, their athletes are accustomed to Beijing’s chewable air.

I wonder what additional surprises Beijing ‘08 will bring…