Beckham Becomes First Soccer Player in Sport's Top 10 Earners
Tuesday, March 23, 2004

David Beckham became the first soccer player to enter world sport's top 10 earners last year, overtaking the likes of Shaquille O'Neal and Alex Rodriguez to reach No. 3 for 2003, said France's L'Equipe magazine.

England captain Beckham, 28, for whose talents Real Madrid paid Manchester United a $43 million transfer fee last year, banked $36 million from salary and endorsements, L'Equipe said. Golfer Tiger Woods stayed top of the list with $103 million, an increase of $32 million on 2002.

Michael Schumacher, the Formula One motor racing driver who topped the list for three years from 1999, remained second even while taking a pay cut. Schumacher slipped to $64 million from $69 million even though he was champion for a record sixth time.

Beckham's looks and his marriage to pop star Victoria, of Spice Girls fame, have helped make him soccer's most marketable player. He's the first from his sport to make the top 10 since L'Equipe began the list in 1998.

TOP 10 EARNERS FOR 2003 NAME SPORT EARNINGS Tiger Woods Golf $103 million Michael Schumacher Formula One $64 million David Beckham Soccer $36 million Oscar De La Hoya Boxing $33 million Roy Jones Jr. Boxing $27 million Kevin Garnett Basketball $26 million Shaquille O'Neal Basketball $24 million Serena Williams Tennis $23 million Alex Rodriguez Baseball $22.5 million Michael Jordan Basketball $21 million

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