In the turbulent economic times of today with few professions being safe from financial challenge, the top American athletes continue to find guaranteed financial success.

While the economy dips, the average salary of the top 50 highest-earning American athletes shows an increase of 11 percent from the 2009 average with an unprecedented $26.2 million.  Not only guaranteed of the salary agreed to in the terms of their contracts, today’s athletes are raking it in for various endorsements deals.

Golf actually topped the list with the top two American athletes in terms of overall earnings are golfers Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.  Despite the recent troubles Tiger Woods has faced, as well as the loss of several endorsements, he still leads the way as the highest paid American athlete at over $90 million dollars.  Woods also remains the leader in endorsements at $70 million.

At nearly $30 million behind fellow golfer Tiger Woods sits Phil Mickelson at a total of over $61 million in earnings.  Mickleson is second in endorsements as well at $52 million.  Woods and Mickleson represent the only two members of the PGA on the list.

Surprisingly, the NHL is not represented on the list and the only boxer listed is Floyd Mayweather coming in third at just over $60 million.  Mayweather was not listed last year but the earnings from two successful fights propelled him near the top.

While racing is represented on the list, it is only represented by NASCAR with three competitors receiving mention.  Of those, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was highest at 16th.  Each of the NASCAR drivers were alike in that the endorsements they received outweighed their salary and winnings by millions.  Coincidentally, all three are currently under contract to Hendrick Motorsports with the other two NASCAR representatives, in order of earnings, being Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson.

The NBA had the most athletes on the list at 16.  Not surprisingly, the league leader in terms of earnings was LeBron James at 4th.  Of the nearly $46 million James received in earnings, $30 million came as endorsements.  James’ new teammate Dwyane Wade landed 10th on the list at nearly $28 million in earnings.  The majority of Wade’s earnings came from his salary and winnings.  The other new resident of South Beach, Chris Bosh, is not currently on the list.

The NFL was the second most represented league with a total of 15 representatives.  Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning led the way at 9th.  Of the nearly $31 million earned by Manning the split between salary and winnings along with endorsements was almost even.

The second representative of the NFL was Matthew Stafford at 11th.  Nearly all of the almost $28 million Stafford earned came from his record breaking contract following the 2009 NFL Draft.  Stafford received less than $1 million in endorsements.

MLB players occupied 13 spots on the list.  Of these, five were members of the New York Yankees with the top MLB representative Alex Rodriguez coming in at 5th with $37 million as he looks to hit his 600th career home run in the near future.

The Boston Red Sox represented three spots on the list while the Toronto Blue Jays held one which may mean, in terms of salary, the ultra-competitive AL East appears to be the place a free agent looking for a big payday might wish to land.  Between New York, Boston and Toronto, the division held nine of the MLB’s thirteen representatives.

The MLB also held the final spot on the list.  New York Yankees starting pitcher A.J. Burnett was listed as 50th at a total of just under $17 million.  Nearly all of Burnett’s earnings were due to his salary.

The list appears certain to change.  For instance, popular Yankee Derek Jeter is currently 8th on the list but may be destined to climb higher as his contract ends and negotiations are likely to guarantee a pay increase.  Though not currently on the list, one might estimate that the recent deals of Joe Mauer and the soon to be on-the-market Prince Fielder will be propelled into the top 50.

The average of $26.2 million among the top 50 seems like an amount that is meant to be overshadowed with these and many new deals looming.  As sports in the major four professional organizations seems to be more competitive than ever with late season pushes into the playoffs and ratings at all time highs one can safely assume that these deals are only likely to continue as markets fight to place a winning product onto their fields.

Used with permission of the author.

Cade Caldwell is an Atlanta-based sportswriter and contributor to Sports Climax.

Copyright ©2010 Sports Climax, LLC

A record-setting crowd of 108,713 jammed into Cowboys Stadium Sunday to watch the NBA Eastern Conference squeak out a 141-139 victory over the West.

Originally designed and listed to support a capacity of 35,000 fans for basketball and 80,000 for football, most of the fans had to watch the game on the giant screen to even have a clue what was happening on the court.

This game went down to the final seconds and ironically it was Dallas native Chris Bosh who scored the winning points, sinking free throws with just five seconds left.

The West got one more possession but Carmelo Anthony, who had a game-high 27 for the West, bounced a 3-pointer off the rim at the buzzer that would have won it.

Miami Heat player Dwyane Wade led the East with 28 points and 11 assists took home the MVP honors.

“I’ve had a little luck in Dallas. Of course, 2006 is very, very memorable, something I dreamed of doing for a long time, winning the NBA championship and I was lucky enough and blessed enough to win the MVP there,” Wade said. “To come and do it again is special.”

Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James added 25 for the East and was in awe of the size of the crowd.

“To be in front of 108,000 fans, that was actually what it was, that was not a false number. You could look up in the stands, and there was not a seat open,” said James. “To be part of history is something that you always wish and dream for.”

The players spent their shoot-around trying to adjust to the gigantic stadium background which is so different from the standard size arenas they normally play in.

Copyright © 2010 – Sports Climax

CHICAGO – NBA referees let the league know what they thought of the latest contract offer when they voted 57-0 against it at their meeting in the Windy City Wednesday night.

That vote led to further discussions but after those hit a brick wall, the referees were sent home and both sides went to impasse.

NBA referees being sent home. What an awesome concept! How many times have we fantasized about that.

If this group of zebras are sent packing during the start of the season would we even notice the difference?

NBA refs have become notorious for calling fouls on anyone who gets within arm’s length of stars like Dwyane Wade and LeBron James and they appear willing to extend their summer to fight for their cause.

OK, the term ‘arm’s length’ is an exaggeration, well sort of; depends what tape or highlight reel you choose to look at and fighting for a cause is usually a strong, admirable characteristic depends on the details.

It appears the major disagreement stems around some retirement issues. I guess ex-referee and whistle-blower Tim Donaghy’s living conditions in jail are not quite up to par with the union’s idea of retirement. Donaghy is in jail where he belongs after fixing several NBA games over a several year period.

The performance of the zebras in all major sports have caused fans and media to scream “Fix!” but none as often as the NBA who many times end up with playoff match-ups that supply the best ratings.

After NFL referee Ed Hochuli blew a call in the final seconds of a game last year, he ‘manned up’ and admitted he made a mistake. When highlight reels are burning up the airways with questionable NBA calls that determine a crucial game’s outcome, the league’s officials and refs normally go about their business and withhold comments or admissions of any kind.

This same group of officials are certainly speaking out loud and clear now though; with that lopsided vote of 57-0.

Lead union negotiator Lamell McMorris sounded pessimistic concerning any quick resolution. “It looks like a lockout is both imminent and unavoidable,” McMorris said. “We have suspended dialogue again today. We’ve been in constant communication, but it’s not going to happen.” The union also presented a memo showing how statistically the number of fines and suspensions did increase the last time fill-in refs were used. 

“I am not optimistic,” lead NBA negotiator Rich Buchanan added.

A lockout appears likely at this point but how bad would the league and fans actually suffer with fill-in referees in NBA games? Would the quality of the officiating suffer or even be noticeable?

Before you answer, check out a last-minute Lebron gift granted by the referees, ponder it over a last-minute freebie handed to Dywane Wade then make your decision.

Other Stories:

NBA Refs Demonstrate Why a Lock-out Could Be Disastrous

NBA Ref Donaghy Indicted

NFL Ref Hochuli Admits Blowing Call Late in Game

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax