Words: Gentleman's Journal
Today’s world of sport looks a whole lot different to how it did 50 years ago. Not only are the salaries larger but the fame and stardom is immensely more substantial, meaning that athletes (and brands) are now able to capitalise on this and make a profit. Multi-billion dollar companies such as Nike and Adidas shell out millions to be partnered with these sporting stars – the eventual monetary payback a considerable amount more than they pay out. These are the biggest and most eye-wateringly expensive endorsement deals in history.
DERRICK ROSE, , Brand: Adidas, Estimated Value: $260 million, You thought Premier League football players were high earners, you make it big in the NBA or NFL in the US and you are guaranteed to be making some serious money. This is exactly the case for Chicago Bulls Point Guard Derrick Rose who, despite having a lengthy knee injury which has kept him off the court, is earning the big bucks with his impressive $94.3 million 5-year salary and even more impressive endorsement deal from Adidas. The reason the brand wanted him on board? Well, because despite his injury, Rose is on course to be one of the greatest NBA players of his generation. In 2011, he became the youngest NVP in NBA history and was rewarded with a 10-year, $260 million Adidas endorsement deal. Though none can match the mammoth Adidas figure, the 25-year old has also done endorsement deals with Skullcandy headphones, Powerade, Force Factor sports drinks, Wilson Sporting Goods and Chicago Nissan dealership.
RORY MCILROY, , Brand: Nike, Estimated Value: $250 million, It was about time that someone took over from the King of golfing endorsements, Tiger Woods. And with two major titles (the 2011 U.S Open and and 2012 PGA Championship) under his belt, the 24-year old is the perfect rising star to fill his shoes. The signing of the deal with Nike took place in early 2013, at a reported value of $250 million. Though McIlroy saw his form drop slightly from his incredible streak in 2012, this year he won the BMW PGA Championship, his first win in either of the two major tours in 18 months. He is currently ranked World No 7.
DAVID BECKHAM, , Brand: Adidas, Estimated Value: $160.8 million, You didn’t think we would have a list of epic endorsements deals without featuring our very own David Beckham? Not only one of the most iconic footballers of our generation, he is one of the most famous sportsmen of all time. And all this fame has paid him generously. Not least from Adidas who signed a lifetime contract with him in the summer of 2003 (after signing with Real Madrid), guaranteeing him just over $160 million as well as a percentage of profits in all his own branded Adidas merchandise. Alongside Adidas David has cashed in on brand Beckham, with a multitude of endorsement deals with Coty, H&M, Samsung, Breitling and BSkyB.
GEORGE FOREMAN, , Brand: Salton, Inc, Estimated Value: $137.5 million, The only sportsman on our list that has become so synonymous with his product that, to the younger generation coming through, he is that product. Enter the George Foreman Grill. Despite his multiple accomplishments in the ring, the former heavyweight champion can now be associated with grilled hamburgers. And he’s made A LOT of money from those hamburgers. Since launching the product in 1995, grill-making company Salton, Inc and Foreman signed a deal to sell the boxer’s name to the company for a mind boggling $137.5 million. From 1995-1999, Foreman also earned at least 40 percent of the profits for each grill sold. Throw in the TV appearances and the fact that the Lean, Mean Fat Reducing Grilling Machine is the American home’s go-to kitchen appliance, and Foreman is doing very well indeed.
TIGER WOODS, , Brand: Nike, Estimated Value: $105 million, Despite his catastrophic fall from grace in November 2009, Woods’ is still earning the big bucks (though not quite as much perhaps as if his indiscretions hadn’t been revealed). When Tiger signed a $105 million 5 year contract with Nike in 2000, it was the largest endorsement deal ever afforded to, not only a golfer, but any athlete in the history of endorsements. This was then renewed and upper in 2005 to $140 million for the next 7 years. After the scandal of 2009, Tiger saw his allowance slashed by Nike but by only enough to knock him down the list a spot or two.
DWYANE WADE, , Brand: Li-Ning, Estimated Value: $100 million, The only non-Western brand on the list, in October 2012, Dwyane Wade left Nike to sign with Chinese brand Li-Ning. And the partnership is paying him well. It’s a 10-year deal which now sees him market his line of shoes.
LEBRON JAMES, , Brand: Nike, Estimated Value: $93 million, Now one of the most famous basketball players of our time, LeBron James signed a 7-year $93 million contract with Nike before he had even had the chance to show off his skills in the professional ranks. The deal paid off as James has gone on to win four league MVPs, two NBA titles, two NBA Finals MVP Awards, two Olympic gold medals and an NBA scoring title.
MARIA SHARAPOVA, , Brand: Nike, Estimated Value: $70 million, At 17, she beat two time defending champion Serena Williams to win Wimbledon and become the 3rd youngest woman to ever win the competition. Since then, she has gone on to win 29 singles titles as well as all four grand slams, her most recent the French Open which took place last month. This, along with her undoubtable beauty, has led to a shed load of sponsorship deals. Most notably, her 8-year $70 million contract with Nike which was the highest value contract ever given to a female athlete.
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