An American golf prodigy and a kid from Akron have just joined Michael Jordan as the only athletes to be billionaires.
26 years into his golfing career, Tiger Woods has officially totalled over $1 billion in income, including salary and endorsements.
Less than 10% of his career earnings come from his golf salary, which is estimated to be $50 million per year. He has been sponsored by Gatorade, Nike, TaylorMade, and endorsed businesses such as TGR Design, a live events production company, and a restaurant called, The Woods. He also has stakes in several golf related companies in tech, software, and luxury experiences.
Tiger is an inspiration for many black golfers, and has been praised by his peers for his skills in creating his business, while being one of the best athletes on the planet. Even though he has only played in the Masters and PGA Tournament in the past year, he is the 14th highest-paid athlete.
In 1999, LeBron James was already a basketball star in the making when he scored over 2,500 points for his high school basketball team, St. Vincent-St. Mary. He was selected number one by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003 and the rest was history. He has 4 championships under his belt, 4 NBA MVP’s, and 3 Olympic medals. LeBron is the first active NBA player to become a billionaire, as Michael Jordan became a billionaire 11 years after he retired.
James credits his uncles on teaching him the importance of saving and smart spending. James said in an UNINTERUPPTED podcast, “They taught me how to have a savings account.”
He is the NBA’s highest paid player, has a lifetime deal with Nike, co-owns an entertainment company, starred in Space Jam: A New Legacy, the 2021 follow up of the 1996 Michael Jordan hit movie, Space Jam, owns a stake in Fenway Sports Group which owns teams like the Liverpool Football Club, and he owns a pizza franchise.
His foundation, the LeBron James Family Foundation, opened the I PROMISE School in Akron, Ohio in 2018, which helps at-risk student’s achieve academic success and support.
Tiger Woods and LeBron James are serving Black Excellence!
