Report by Anand Datla
October 09, 2014: Not much is going right for Tiger Woods this year. Injuries and poor form have beset the great golfer, who is steadily slipping off his high pedestal. Woods, the most valuable athlete on the planet since 2007, was overtaken by LeBron James this year. Even though the difference in value is marginal, Woods lost $10mn in brand value as he saw his endorsement value drop to $36mn even as James gained a similar amount to be valued at $37mn.
The big blow for Tiger’s monetary empire came mainly from the withdrawal of EA Sports from an association that has yielded 14 versions of the best selling golf game with the marquee golfer’s name on it. Tiger’s stock has been declining ever since he suffered a major fall out in his personal life after lurid details of his extra marital affairs made their way into the public domain.
Meanwhile, James’s soaring popularity has enabled the NBA to sign a record $24bn media and television deal that is set to usher in a new era of riches for an already wealthy sports league. Earlier this year, James signed up to play for Cleveland Cavaliers after four seasons with the Miami Heat, during which he won two NBA titles. The 29 year old is set to enjoy many more years of success and fame as he looks to build a lasting legacy for himself.
Forbes calculates the value of athletes using a formula. An athlete’s endorsement income reduced by the average endorsement income of the top 10 athletes in the same sport helps Forbes arrive at the value of an athlete. Phil Mickelson was a surprise inclusion at fourth on the list with a value of $29mn.
Tennis star Roger Federer is in third place, ahead of Mickelson. India’s cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is next at fifth, followed closely by record breaking sprinter Usain Bolt. Real Madrid and Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo comes in at seventh, which is incidentally also the number on his shirt. Kobe Bryant is in eighth, followed by football icon Lionel Messi. Rafael Nadal makes an entry into the top 10 for the first time in his career.
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