Top 10 Highest Earners in Sports 2012

Meet the super talented athletes whose hard work and natural ability have been rewarded with skyscraping salaries and lucrative sponsorship deals. This ton ten, based on Forbes magazines "Sports Money 50-50" list of the most powerful people in sports, is ranked according to total earnings between June 2009 and June 2010

1. Eldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods

   Eldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods  (14 Time Pro Golf Champion)

$105 M

Tiger Woods (USA) born on December 30, 1975.

The golfing legend's income includes an annual $30 million payment from sponsors Nike. He has won the Masters four times, most recently in 2005.

2. Floyd Joy Mayweather Jr.

Floyd Joy Mayweather Jr. (Unbeaten Boxer in Five Classes)

$65 M

Floyd Mayweather Jr. (USA) born on February 24, 1977

Undefeated in his professional career (his 41 wins include 25 knockouts), this boxing sensation can boast nine world titles in five different weight classes.

3. Kobe Bean Bryant

Kobe Bean Bryant (Shooting Guard, Los Angeles Lakers)

$48 M

Kobe Bryant (USA) born on August 32, 1978

With 25,970 points as of April 2010, Bryant is the Los Angeles Laker's all time top scorer. He is set to earn $30.5 million in the 2013-14 season from just playing.

4. Philip Alfred Mickelson

Philip Alfred Mickelson (2010 Masters Golf Champion)

$46 M

Phil Mickelson (USA) born on June 6, 1970

Mickelson is the world golfing number two, but his prize money is dwarfed by his lucrative endorsements from companies such as ExxonMobil, Rolex and Barclays.

5. David R J Beckham

David R J Beckham (Midfielder, Los Angeles Galaxy)

$43.7 M

David Beckham (UK) born on May 5, 1975

The England football hero is still a financial top draw. Of the $40 million he earned in 2009, almost $33 million came via sponsorship.

6. Roger Federer

Roger Federer (16 Time Grand Slam Winner)

$43 M

Roger Federer (Switzerland) born on August 8, 1981

As of August 2010, Federer had won $56.9 million in prize money. His Nike deal is the most lucrative in tennis, worth over $10 million a year.

7. Lebron Raymone James

Lebron Raymone James (Small Forward/Guard, Miami Heat)

$42.8 M

Lebron James (USA) born on December 30, 1984

James enjoys lucrative deals with Nike and McDonalds, among others. In 2010, Forbes rated him the second most influential athlete, after US cyclist Lance Armstrong.

8. Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao

Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao (WBO Welterwieght World Champion)

$42 M

Manny Pacquiao (Philippines) born on December 17, 1978

Fights against Miguel Cotto and Joshua Clottey netted "Pac Man" a cool $35 million alone. In 2010, he became a member of Congress in the Philippines.

9. Eli Nelson Manning

Eli Nelson Manning (Quarterback, New York Giants)

$39.9 M

Eli Manning (USA) born on January 3, 1981

Manning is now officially the highest earning NFL player, following a $97.5 million, six year contract signed with the New York Giants in August 2010.

10. Terrell Raymonn Suggs

Terrell Raymonn Suggs (Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens)

$38.3 M

Terrell Suggs (USA) born in October 11, 1982

A $63 million contract in 2009, and bonus of $33 million made Suggs the best paid National Football League (NFL) linebacker in history.

Oklahoma City Thunders Take Game 1 of NBA Finals 2012

Game 1 of the best of seven NBA finals between the East big3 against the West big three. To make it short, its the Oklahoma City Thunders against the Miami Heat.

Early in the game the heat came out strong posting double digit lead with Battier and Chalmers nailing their 3 point shots. But the Thunders hang through, and ended the first half just behind by seven points 47-54. I myself although not a fan of both teams knew that this Heat lead is not safe, especially the way the Thunders played in the West semifinals against the Spurs, and true enough they did show how tough they are in the second half.

In the second half the tandem of Westbrook and Durant led the charge as they finished the 3rd quarter with a 74-73 lead, thanks to a driving layup by Westbrook plus a foul on Miller that resulted in a and 1 by Westbrook. Miami never recovered the lead again. A basket by Durant and Sefolosha up their lead to five at 78-73 and the Thunder just keep rolling on.

In a battle on MVP versus the scoring champion, Kevin Durant won this one as he finished with 36 points with 23 of his points coming in the second half and 17 of those point in the final quarter.While Lebron James had 30 points for the game, 23 of those came in the first three quarters, but only managed to score 7 points in the final quarter. 

Russell Westbrook added 27 points for the Thunder while Dwyane Wade had 19 points but have a miserable shooting night going 7 for 19 in the field.

Game 2 will still be played in Oklahoma.

James, Wade and Bosh too Much for Mavs in Game 1 of NBA Finals 2011

The Trio of Lebron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh was just too much for the Dallas Mavericks in game 1 of their NBA Finals as Miami wins 92-84. James led Miami with 24 points while Wade and Bosh each scored 22 and 19 points respectively. While Dallas was led by Dirk Nowitzki's 27 points.

Although the games was tight on all 3 quarters of the game, the Heats power trio exploded in the 4th quarter and blew the game wide open.

I gotta admit it, I did not expect Miami to reach the NBA finals this year, I thought they can only reach as far as the Eastern Finals. I know that they would be a powerhouse team, but I never thought they would be this dominant this year, maybe the following year, but not this year.

Game 2 is Thursday in Miami.

Miami Heat defeat Lakers behind King James Triple Double

A statement game? maybe too early to tell, but the Miami Heat just showed us today how good they can be by defeating the defending champs 96-80, behind Lebron James triple double 27 point, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, Bosh had 24 points and Wade 18 points . I have been waiting for months for this two teams to meet, wanting to see whether the Miami Heat would be a threat to the Lakers. Well if we are to look at this game, well they are. But the Lakers are on the west and Miami being in the East should still overcome Boston whom they have yet to defeat this season, the newly revamp Magic. But still it's nice to see the Miami heat playing this good compared to the early round of the season.

BASKETBALL TRIVIA

YOUNGEST PLAYER TO SCORE 9,000 POINTS

At 22 tears 252 days, Lebron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers is the youngest player in NBA History to score 9,000 career points. He reached the mark while playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 18, 2007.


YOUNGEST PLAYER TO REACH 20,000 POINTS(CAREER)

While playing for the Los Angeles Lakers on December 23, 2007, Kobe Bryant reached 20,000 career points, at the age of 29.


YOUNGEST PLAYER TO RECORD 3,000 REBOUNDS

At 21 years old, Dwight Howard is the youngest player in NBA history to record 3,000 career rebounds. He reached the mark while playing for the Orlando Magic on November 16, 2007.

NBA MOVERS

Shaq attack is coming to Cleveland, A new dynamic duo? The King and the Diesel are now teammates. The Cleveland made a huge trade in acquiring the 7-1 325 lbs. Shaquille O'neil from the Phoenix Suns. The suns in return get Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic, a 2nd round pick at the 2010 draft and $500,000 cash.

A decision based on experience is what I would say to this trade, the Cavs on the East Finals just have no answer for the Superman Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic. With O'neil in town big Z would slide down to a back up center. A good move?? that remains to be seen. Shaq in Phoenix just didn't work out, the suns really are into the up tempo run and gun style, while the Cavs are a half court team that may suite well with O'neil 37 year old legs. But still Shaq is a force to reckon with inside the shaded lane.