THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, December 4, 1995 TAG: 9512040126
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports Brief
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
LENGTH: Short : 40 lines
Michael Jordan was the top earner among athletes for the fourth consecutive year, increasing his annual income to $43.9 million from $30.01 million.
The Chicago Bulls' star earned $3.9 million in salary and $40 million in outside income, Forbes estimated in its Dec. 18 issue.
Jordan has made $170 million since 1990, the magazine said, and could become the first athlete ever listed in the Forbes 400 of wealthiest people.
Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, out of prison and back in boxing, was second on the list at $40 million - all from winnings. He made $25 million from his one fight and $15 million in signing bonuses.
Two-sport star Deion Sanders was third at $22.5 million. The outfielder and cornerback, 38th in 1994, made $16.5 million from salary and $6 million in endorsements.
Boxer Riddick Bowe, who wasn't listed in 1994, was fourth at $22.2 million, followed by basketball's Shaquille O'Neal at $21.9 million, boxer George Foreman at $18 million and tennis player Andre Agassi at $16 million.
Jack Nicklaus was the top golfer, finishing eighth at $15.1 million, just $600,000 in winnings. Auto racer Michael Schumacher was ninth at $15 million and hockey's Wayne Gretzky 10th at $14.5 million.
Cal Ripken Jr. was the top baseball player, finishing 16th at $11.2 million, including $4 million in endorsement income during the year he broke Lou Gehrig's streak.
Boxer Pernell Whitaker was 33rd on the list with $7 million, all in earnings.
KEYWORDS: FORBES MAGAZINE EARNINGS INCOME by CNB