THE balance of power among U.S. athletes underwent a sea change last year as a retired Michael Jordan saw Tiger Woods zip past him in earnings.
Woods, 24, took home $47 million last year — up 75 percent from 1998, according to Forbes magazine.
Jordan, whose 1998 retirement forced him to get by on just his endorsement cash last year, earned “only” $40 million, according to Forbes, which published a list of the top earnings in sports and entertainment.
George Lucas, on the strength of his “Star Wars” prequel, took home a whopping $400 million last year, topping the list, while Oprah Winfrey, a mini-empire herself, earned $150 million, for the No. 2 spot, both dwarfing the top jocks’ take-home.
But cry not for Tiger and company, as sports’ grip on society remained firm last year. Salaries and endorsements remained on a steep upward trajectory, despite several off-field controversies, including the NBA lockout and Mike Tyson’s appetite for ears.
Formula One driver Michael Schumacher was the No. 1 earner among athletes, nosing out Woods with $49 million in earnings.
Schumacher, who was the No. 2 earner last year, behind Jordan’s $69 million, is midway through a $140 million, four-year sponsorship deal with Ferrari.
Oscar De La Hoya pocketed $20 million from his Felix Trinidad bout, helping the welterweight earn $43.5 million in 1999. It more than doubled the $18.5 million he earned in 1998.
Shaquille O’Neal was the top earner among active team sport players, earning $31 million, but he needed the NBA lockout to achieve the high water mark of his career. The Laker standout is one of a handful of players to receive his salary in a one-lump sum right before the start of the season. With last season not getting under way until February, O’Neal had two seasons’ paydays in one year.
Patrick Ewing of the Knicks and Mike Piazza of the Mets were the only two local stars to crack the Forbes’ Top 20 list, each taking home a reported $15 million.
Tennis’ Martina Hingis ($12 million in earnings) was the only women in the list.
