1. Tiger Woods (Golf) $90m
His golfing achievements to date rank him among the most successful golfers of all time. Currently the World No. 1, Woods was the highest paid professional athlete in 2006, having earned an estimated $90 million from winnings and endorsements

2 Michael Schumacher (Formula One) $58m
A former Formula One driver, and seven-time world champion. According to the official Formula One website, he is “statistically the greatest driver the sport has ever seen”. In 2005 Eurobusiness magazine identified Schumacher as the world’s first billionaire athlete. His 2004 salary was reported to be around US$80 million. He donated $10 million for aid after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.His donation surpassed that of any other sports person, most sports leagues, many worldwide corporations and even some countries.

3 Phil Mickelson (Golf) $47m

4 Kobe Bryant (Basketball) $31m

5= Shaquille O’Neal (Basketball) $30m

5= Valentino Rossi (Moto GP) $30m

7= Alex Rodriguez (Baseball) $29m

7= Tom Brady (American Football) $29m

9 Carson Palmer (American Football) $28m

10 David Beckham (Football) $27m