Tiger Woods, a 15-time major champion, achieved billionaire status last season, becoming the second athlete in sports history to do so after NBA legend Michael Jordan. Woods’ immense success on the golf course, combined with his lucrative sponsorships with Nike, Monster Energy, and Rolex, has cemented his status as a top earner in the world of sports. Despite placing 16th on Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes in 2023, Woods’ net worth stands at an astonishing $1.3 billion, with the majority of his income derived from endorsements rather than on-field earnings. As Woods transitions into the twilight of his career, he continues to occasionally deliver impressive performances, such as his remarkable victory at the Masters in 2019, marking his first major win in 11 years.
The question of whether Woods can clinch another major championship before retiring remains a topic of interest for fans and analysts alike. Meanwhile, soccer superstar Lionel Messi, who now plays for Inter Miami, earned $130 million in 2023, with half of that sum coming from his activities on the football field and the other half from external ventures. His contract with Miami reportedly amounted to $150 million over two-and-a-half years, with the potential for Messi to have a future ownership stake in the MLS franchise. Despite a near-fatal car accident in 2021 and a limited number of competitive appearances since then, Woods is set to return to golf at an upcoming tournament, having last played at the Genesis Open in February.
His participation in just eight events following the accident underscores the challenges he has faced in maintaining a consistent presence on the golf circuit.
