Tiger joins Jordan and LeBron on Forbes’ billionaire athletes list
The rarified air that was once reserved for the NBA’s GOAT and King is now shared by a Tiger on the greens.
Tiger Woods joined the likes of LeBron James and Michael Jordan as the third athlete in history to reach billionaire status.
Forbes estimates that the 46-year-old golfer’s net worth is at least $1 billion based on his golf winnings, endorsements and other business ventures.
Less than 10% of his net worth and career earnings originated from his success on the course, Forbe said. The vast majority of his wealth was generated from lucrative endorsement deals with various brands, which include Nike, Gatorade, Rolex and TaylorMade.
At Woods’ pinnacle, he was the most sought athlete pitchman in sports, earning over $100 million per year. On Forbes’ highest-paid athletes’ list, he owned the No. 1 spot for a decade starting in 2002.
Woods’ capital also spans a few projects such as his live events production company TGR Live, his golf design business TGR Design and his flagship restaurant The Woods. He also has stakes in the golf training tool Full Swing and PopStroke, a lavish mini-golf experience with four Florida locations, that is expected to expand to six more places across the country this year.
Woods, who has won 15 major championships, is also a partner and investor in a SPAC (special purpose acquisition company) alongside British billionaire Joe Lewis’ Tavistock Group, golfer Ernie Els and Justin Timberlake in NEXUS Luxury Collection.
Outside of his endorsement and partnerships deals, Woods has made investments in the millions in real estate, including a $54 million mansion on Juniper Island.
Woods and James are the only two to become billionaires during their tenure on the course and court, respectively.
