Tiger Woods, in full competition, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. AFP / Getty Images / Richard Heathcote
Just a year after first appearing enrolled in a professional golf tournament, Tiger Woods became champion at the age of 21 at the 1997 Augusta Masters. From there he built a very successful career that led to him. , this Friday, to fill the role of himself as third athlete in history with a fortune of over $ 1,000 million.
According to the ranking established by art Forbesmagazine specializing in the world of business and finance, the champion of 15 majors joins the list that, to date, included LeBron James and Michael Jordan, considered among the best basketball players in history.
Despite the scandalous separation of Elin Nordegren, has always remained at the top when it comes to revenue from sponsorship deals. Extramarital affairs, in addition to ending a seven-year relationship with the mother of his two children and leading to a multi-million dollar divorce, cost him a lot of damage to his public image. Likewise, brands weren’t slow to trust him again as an extraordinary figure.
LeBron James and Michael Jordan, the two highest earning athletes in history. EFE / EPA / David Maxwell Shutterstock.
It is estimated that less than 10% of your earnings come from rewards earned for your outstanding sporting achievementswhile a good part of them is thanks to advertising activities with a large number of brands, including Gatorade, Monster Energy, American Express, Gillette, Rolex and, of course, Nike, its main sponsor since 1996.
Although golf in the United States does not have the popularity of other sports such as basketball, baseball or American football, the public following the PGA Tour day by day are of the highest social strata, which is why the sponsors are aiming for this. target and billing numbers go on the same line.
The turbulent life of Tiger Woods
In February 2021, when his career began to resemble that of the legend he was in his early years, Tiger Woods was once again in the spotlight of criticism for an off-sports event. He was involved in a serious car accident in Los Angeles that could have cost him his life: Drive nearly twice the speed limit, roll over and suffer multiple leg injuries. He had to be hospitalized urgently, although, fortunately, he was able to recover.
High speeds, as well as his addiction to alcohol, were not something new in his life. In 2009, still married to Nordegren, he crashed into his villa in Florida, while in 2017 the police of that state arrested him after he fell asleep while driving and with evident traces of drunkenness.
That is how Tiger Woods’ car remained after an accident that could cost him his life. AP / Ringo HW Chiu.
Despite this, in 2019 he achieved one of the most important victories of his career, if not the most significant of all. He dedicated himself to the Augusta Masters, eleven years after his last major title (US Open 2008), after passing four back operations and the hell of addictions. In case there is any question as to who was the best golfer of all time.
The accident was a shock to his recovery, a new blow to a myth for which everything seemed to come easily, but in recent years he has had to overcome several difficulties. She keeps trying.
On Tuesday he announced that he will not participate in the US Open, still trying to recover his battered right leg, and aims to reach the British Open in optimal conditions. At 46, he wants to break more records, titles and earnings.
Source: Clarin
