Woods tops highest-paid rankings with US$100 mil.

Woods, 33, had US$7.7 million in winnings and US$92 million in endorsement income to top SI.com's “Fortunate 50” list for the sixth time in the six years it's been published by the magazine.

The global economic decline caused average earnings of those on the list to decline for the first time, down US$1.5 million per athlete to US$23.6 million. Woods, whose off-course earnings declined from US$105 million a year ago, ended a marketing accord in November with General Motors Corp. after endorsing GM products including Buick for the past nine years.

Fellow golfer Phil Mickelson is again second to Woods at US$52.9 million, while basketball player LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers remains third at US$42.4 million. James is among 12 National Basketball Association players in the top 20 of SI.com's ranking.

Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees is fourth with US$39 million, including US$33 million in salary.

Yankees captain Derek Jeter is ninth on the list at US$28.5 million, while new teammates Mark Teixeira and CC Sabathia are also in the top 20.

Shaquille O'Neal is fifth with US$35 million in earnings, followed by fellow NBA players Kevin Garnett (US$34.8 million), Kobe Bryant (US$31.3 million) and Allen Iverson (US$28.9 million). Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning completes SI.com's top 10 with US$27 million in total earnings, the only National Football League player among the top 20.

Sports Illustrated uses data from the current or most recently completed basketball and baseball seasons, and the coming 2009 season for the NFL. Winnings for individual sports, such as tennis and auto racing, are from 2008. All endorsement and appearance income is for this year.

Soccer player David Beckham tops SI.com's list of top- earning athletes from outside the U.S., with US$45.2 million. He's followed by Formula One driver Kimi Raikkonen of Finland (US$40.1 million), boxer Manny Pacquiao of the Phillipines (US$40 million) and soccer player Lionel Messi of Argentina (US$39.9 million).

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