Michael Jordan tops 1997 Forbes' list for highest-paid athletes

Jet, Dec 15, 1997

Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan has regained the crown as the top money-earner among athletes, according to Forbes magazine.

The list of the top 40 highest-earning athletes includes 22 Blacks.

Jordan is top-earner for the fifth time in six years. He replaces last year's top-earner boxer Mike Tyson. Jordan is estimated to earn $78.3 million ($31.3 million in salary and $47 million in endorsements.)

In second place is boxing champion Evander Holyfield, who was sixth last year. Holyfield's estimated salary of $53 million and endorsement pay of $1.3 million totals $54.3 million.

Tyson drops from first place to fifth with a salary of $27 million. He earned nothing in endorsements.

Golfer Tiger Woods is in sixth place, up from 26th place last year Woods, the first Black to win The Masters tournament, earned $26.1 million, which breaks down to $2.1 million in salary and $24 million in endorsements. He is the second highest earner in endorsements.

Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal dropped from fourth place to seventh place this year with earnings of $25.4 million ($12.9 million in salary and $12.5 million in endorsements.)

Detroit Pistons forward Grant Hill moved to 10th place from 18th last year. His estimated earnings this year total $17 million ($5 million in salary and $12 million in endorsements) which almost doubles last year's endorsement estimate.