You obviously didn't think too hard about this. Nike...Gatorade...EA Sports...among others. He isn't peddling his own goods, per se, but he has sponsorship deals with these companies that sell Tiger Woods branded merchandise. Same way many other athletes make most of their money.
There probably needs to be some adjustments for inflation and purse money: gotta wonder what the Lexus Accenture Cialis Memorial Invitational Open was paying when Walter Hagan or Sam Snead won it. Like when they say Shreck 3 was the second highest grossing film of all time, even though Gone With the Wind was probably watched by three times as many people.
The guy has almost perfect demographics to appeal across the board. Young, diverse and generally well-adjusted guy playing the Sport of Middle Managers.
He's still relatively young (from a golfer's standpoint), he could definitely go over $2 billion when it's all said and done.
Do you want to go out and buy a Buick? Or be like tiger? I can understand mike cause he played a sport that most of us played, but golf? I have gone golfing a couple times and it is frustrating and expensive. And from my friends who play golf nike isn't a preferred brand. I am just surprised that marketers would shell out for him.
from the forbes article... It is Nike, though, that has been Woods' most lucrative partner. The relationship has been hugely beneficial for both parties, as Nike launched a golf division from scratch, with Woods carrying the brand, and sales are now $800 million annually. Nike pays Woods upward of $30 million annually for his ringing endorsement. seems pretty good for both of them
ESPN did a story almost 10 years years ago predicting he would be worth over $6 billion when it's all said and done. http://assets.espn.go.com/magazine/vol3no14woods.html
You are an idiot. Norman has 88 victories world wide, the vast majority of which game outside of the US (20) and Europe (14), and only 2 majors. Tiger has 95 victories, with basically all of them coming in the US and Europe. and 14 majors. And he's not even close to being done.
with Jordan you have to add inflation, he was popular back in mid 80's/early '90s with his endorsements, his NBA contracts didn't get high till after Garnett got his $100 million contract http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jordami01.html Season Team Lg Salary 1984-85 Chicago Bulls NBA $550,000 1985-86 Chicago Bulls NBA $630,000 1986-87 Chicago Bulls NBA *$737,500 1987-88 Chicago Bulls NBA $845,000 1988-89 Chicago Bulls NBA $2,000,000 1989-90 Chicago Bulls NBA *$2,250,000 1990-91 Chicago Bulls NBA $2,500,000 1991-92 Chicago Bulls NBA $3,250,000 1992-93 Chicago Bulls NBA $4,000,000 1993-94 Chicago Bulls NBA $4,000,000 1994-95 Chicago Bulls NBA $3,850,000 1995-96 Chicago Bulls NBA $3,850,000 1996-97 Chicago Bulls NBA $30,140,000 1997-98 Chicago Bulls NBA $33,140,000 2001-02 Washington Wizards NBA $1,000,000 2002-03 Washington Wizards NBA $1,030,000 Career (may be incomplete) $93,772,500 if Jordan came into the league same time as Tiger went pro in '96, Jordan would've surpassed $1 billion easily within 5-6 years IMO with his $200 shoes, Jordan Brand, Men's Cologne (kidding....), and Hanes/Gatorade/McDonalds endorsements. if Lebron wouldve hit $1 billion before Tiger, that would've been impressive since Bron couldn't have earned a salary till 2003 when he was drafted (wink wink) and Tiger had a 7 year head start
Golf might cater to a relatively wealthy demographic, but Formula 1 caters to a filthy rich global demographic and is very extravagant. Jordan would have easily surpassed $1 billion if he was born 10 years later, and probably would challenge Tiger despite golf's career longevity factor. You can't say whether Tiger will still be marketable once he stops winning or if someone else will come along and steal his thunder. All of them pioneers for their sport, but Schumacher and Woods have the benefit of good timing.
Which is funny because 99% of golfers can't hit blades, X100 shafts or 110 compression golf balls like Tiger does. But it's the same with Callaway though. I have never fit anyone for our Proto irons that Phil and Ernie hit. They retail at $1500.
