Here’s to the goldbrickers.
Here’s to the Mark Madsens, Jason Kaponos, Carl Pavanos, and
Matt Cassels – the guys who inspired fictional classics such as
”
Championship Rings Made Easy,
”
and
”
I Can’t Believe He’s a Millionaire.
”
Thankfully, none of them were mentioned this week when
SportsIllustrated.com released its fifth-annual Fortunate 50, a
list of the 49 highest-paid U.S.-born athletes after Tiger Woods.
Although estimates, the rankings were based on salary, winnings,
bonuses, endorsements and appearances, ranging from No. 1-ranked
Woods ($127,902,706) to No. 50 Eli Manning ($15.45 million).
In between is where it goes from perplexing to interesting to
downright sad.
Here’s to the goldbrickers.
Here’s to the Mark Madsens, Jason Kaponos, Carl Pavanos, and Matt Cassels – the guys who inspired fictional classics such as “Championship Rings Made Easy,” and “I Can’t Believe He’s a Millionaire.”
Thankfully, none of them were mentioned this week when SportsIllustrated.com released its fifth-annual Fortunate 50, a list of the 49 highest-paid U.S.-born athletes after Tiger Woods. Although estimates, the rankings were based on salary, winnings, bonuses, endorsements and appearances, ranging from No. 1-ranked Woods ($127,902,706) to No. 50 Eli Manning ($15.45 million).
In between is where it goes from perplexing to interesting to downright sad.
We’ll start near the bottom with No. 46 Jason Schmidt – aka Sabean’s revenge. In his injury-riddled 19 months with Los Angeles, following a 5 1/2-year stint with the Giants, Schmidt has pocketed about $650,000 an inning. He tossed 25.2 frames in 2007 and hasn’t taken the hill in a MLB game since.
He has one victory with the Dodgers – well worth his three-year contract for $16.25 million a season.
Then there’s No. 31 Steve Francis, who carries the nickname “Franchise” in the same way Ashlee Simpson carries a tune. With his income of $18.2 million Francis takes in more money than Tom Brady, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Albert Pujols – not exactly a fall from grace for the guy who averaged an imposing triple-single of 5.5 points, three assists and 2.3 rebounds a game this year with Houston.
The Yankees are in last place; the Mets are in fourth and, still, spirits are high in the Big Apple. Never mind New York’s Super Bowl upset over New England, Stephon Marbury is entering the last season of his ridiculous four-year, $77 million contract with the Knicks – a deal that helped make the under-achieving salary cap killer the 25th highest paid athlete in the U.S.
The Fortunate 50 isn’t totally discouraging. While Schmidt, Francis and Marbury are making out like thieves, Kevin Garnett (No. 8), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 11), Todd Helton (No. 37) and Morgan Hill’s Jared Allen (No. 44) are reaping their fair share.
You could say the same for No. 23 Jason Giambi – eight years ago. The Yankees’ slugger hasn’t flirted with his 2000 American League MVP numbers since his departure from Oakland and steroids.
Giambi, who’s in the final year of his $120 million deal with New York, is still pocketing $21.5 million. Meanwhile, his pinstriped teammates, No. 10 Derek Jeter and No. 7 Alex Rodriguez, are still going strong, earning $30 and $35 million, respectively.
One of the most noticeable trends of this year’s Fortunate 50 is its youth movement. Kevin Durant (No. 13), Dwyane Wade (No. 16) and Carmelo Anthony (No. 18) each made the top 20, eclipsing $22 million, while LeBron James jumped to No. 3 at $40,455,000.
JaMarcus Russell, the Raiders’ top draft choice a year ago, ranks 26th at $20,875,000. You can only imagine how high he’ll climb – or fall – once he actually plays a full season.
Although unproven, Russell is the highest ranked Bay Area pro player.
Golden State’s Baron Davis follows at No. 29. Davis is hauling $18.94 million, thanks in large part to his split-screen NBA Playoffs commercial with Adam Sandler as the stylishly unfunny Zohan. It aired – ouch – two weeks after the Warriors were eliminated from the postseason.
Thankfully, no glaring goldbrickers graced the Fortune 50’s top 10. |t is surprising, though, to find Shaquille O’Neal tucked in there. Thanks to the baffling Phoenix Suns organization, O’Neal ranks sixth at $35 million – right behind No. 5 Kobe Bryant ($35,490,625). Shaq still outranks Garnett, Allen Iverson (No. 12), Tracy McGrady (No. 17), Anthony and Tim Duncan (No. 19). Each will likely still be in the league long after the Big Cactus retires next year.
Shaq is four spots ahead of No. 2 Phil Mickelson, who, fittingly, trails Tiger by more than twice his $62,372,685 earned.
