[tps_title]20. Tiger Woods[/tps_title]
While A-Rod might have the largest playing contract in Sports History, Tiger Woods has probably outgrossed him with endorsements. The iconic golf superstar has become what ESPN called “golf’s $6 billion man“, as well as possibly the world’s first billion dollar athlete. Rick Burton, the University of Oregon’s resident marketing guru, opined in heavy agreement with ESPN’s assessment:
“Tiger Woods is the perfect earner,” says Burton. “Think of him as the offspring of Arnold Palmer and Michael Jordan.”
Unlike many athletes, who are content with a huge one-time payoff for their endorsement services, Tiger took a different approach. In order to get his face on a cereal box or a shoe commercial, he demanded an equity stake in the business itself. This has enabled him to commercialize his image to a level previously unheard of.
