Lions QB Matthew Stafford has ranked 11th among U.S. athletes in terms of total earnings according to the Detroit News by way of Sports Illustrated. Stafford is getting ready to make $27.6 million with $750,000 coming from endorsements. The highest earning American athlete Tiger Woods took in $70 million in endorsements and more than $20 million in prize money for a grand total of $90,508,163. Stafford is the only Detroit athlete in the top 50.
Here is the top ten list of the highest earning American athletes…
1. Tiger Woods, golf — $90,508,163
2. Phil Mickelson, golf — $61,660,757
3. Floyd Mayweather Jr., boxing — $60,250,000
4. LeBron James, NBA — $45,779,912
5. Alex Rodriguez, MLB — $37,000,000
6. Shaquille O’Neal, NBA — $35,000,000
7. Kobe Bryant, NBA — $33,034,375
8. Derek Jeter, MLB — $31,000,000
9. Peyton Manning, NFL — $30,800,000
10. Dwyane Wade, NBA — $27,779,912