Previously on Top 5 (nah, I’m just playing). This week on top 5 we take a look at the richest men (so much for gender equality) in sporting history. These men’s speed, agility and strength aren’t their only traits that got them on this list. Their acumen off the field, in the board room, also contributed to their current net worth. Here’s the countdown.
5. Tiger Woods ($700 Million)
Eldrick Tont Woods popularly known as Tiger Woods is an American golfer who is considered one of the best of all time. The other thing he’s associated with is cheating scandals (hopefully a second divorce doesn’t stand in his way on his march to a billion seeing as his first one cost him a $100 Million). Woods has broken numerous golf records over the course of his career.
4. Michael Schumacher ($800 Million)
Michael Schumacher is a retired German Formula 1 racing driver. According to the official Formula One website, he is “statistically the greatest driver the sport has ever seen”. A list of his accolades is enough to fill pages. Sadly, Schumacher met a freak skiing accident at the French Alps in December 2013. He is currently getting treatment at his mansion in Lake Geneva. It has been said that Schumacher has a long way to go before he fully recovers, but the hope of his family, friends and fans does not falter.
3. Vincent McMahon ($1.1 Billion)
Vincent McMahon is an American professional wrestling promoter, former commentator, announcer, film producer, actor, and retired professional wrestler (talk about multi-talented, sheesh). A third generation wrestling promoter, Vince McMahon grew up in a trailer park in North Carolina and joined his father’s small wrestling company in 1972. He purchased the business 10 years later, then transformed the World Wrestling Federation from a regional operation into an international phenomenon.
2. Ion Tiriac ($1.13 Billion)
This member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame earned the nickname ‘Brasov Bulldozer’. The former professional tennis and ice hockey player is currently just an ordinary Romanian businessman (if ordinary business men have a networth of ) . After retiring from sports he founded a private bank, Banca Tiriac in 1990 and has grown his empire to include several companies.
1. Michael Jordan ($1.14 Billion)
“His Airness” or “Air Jordan” are some of the nicknames Michael Jordan earned during his career. His extraordinary ability to jump from the free-throw line always brought the crowd to life in dunking competitions and games for the Washington Wizards and the Chicago Bulls. A well-timed after-retirement investment, in the Charlotte Hornets basketball team, lifted star athlete Michael Jordan into the billionaire ranks in 2015, and is keeping him there this year.
For athletes who want to make it to the three comma (billionaire) club you can take a page out of the books of these legends.
