These top ten highest paid athletes earn some of the biggest incomes in professional sports today because of the attention that they attract. Most of these athletes are playing based on contracts, so they are guaranteed a set salary over a period of seasons or years.

Here are ten of the top highest paid athletes in sports today.
Sports teams, sports management and franchises are willing to pay a lot of money to secure the positive future of their teams and the sport in general.

1. Tiger Woods: Although his career has recently been shadowed by his personal life, Tiger Woods is still a top paid athlete, making approximately $100 million dollars in 2010. Despite dealing with a recurring injury to his knee, he is going to be one of the first athletes to earn $1 billion dollars during his sports career.
2. Kobe Bryant: Regarded as one of the greatest NBA players, the “Black Mamba” earns approximately $21 million dollars a year, and this amount is doubled when you consider endorsement deals.
3. Michael Jordon: Despite being retired, his name is still quite prevalent in the world of sports. His brand sales are currently worth around $1 billion dollars thanks to Nike, making him one of the highest paid of all athletes.
4. Kimi Raikkonen: Kimi Raikkonen is a Formula 1 driver, and the highest paid of all Formula 1 racers in the world. Thanks to Ferrari and lucrative endorsements, he makes approximately $45 million dollars annually.
5. David beckham: David Beckham is a famous football player in England who makes approximately $42 million dollars per year, especially due to endorsement deals with Adidas and Armani.
6. LeBron James: LeBron is one of the highest paid of all basketball NBA players. He earns approximately $40 million dollars every year, and he may earn even more this upcoming year.
7. Phil Mickelson: Phil Mickelson is another high-paid professional golfer who has become a household name in recent years. He stands to make approximately $40 million dollars this year.
8. Manny Pacquiao: This is a well-known boxer who has lethal power and speed. He has won fights against Ricky Hatton and Oscar De La Hoya, and as such, stands to make approximately $40 million dollars this year.
9. Valentino Rossi: A leader in motorcycle racing sports, Valentino Rossi has a solid win record under his belt, and he makes $16 million dollars from Yamaha alone. He earns approximately $35 million dollars annually due to endorsement deals.
10. Dale Earnhardt Jr: One of the most popular of all NASCAR drivers, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Earns approximately $34 million dollars every year due to merchandising and sponsorship deals, meaning that he earns almost twice as much as most of his rivals in the sport.

This is just a small sampling of the highest paid athletes in the business today. Whenever a new athlete breaks into the business and performs well, this balance of power can shift to accommodate the newest stars.

Sports are popular. Gambling is popular. It was thus inevitable for sports betting to be very popular – and so it is. To do it sensibly, the sports betting process breaks down into three areas: (1) knowing yourself (your budget, attitude, habits, temperament), (2) knowing your stuff (your knowledge of one particular sport, and your commitment to staying updated), and (3) knowing how and when to make bets. Here is a primer for combining all three. NOTE: We encourage you to comply with all the gambling laws in your city, county, state, and nation. Be aware that some people develop serious gambling problems that can have negative financial, psychological, and family repercussions.

AN OVERVIEW OF SPORTS BETTING

Sports betting rooms look a lot like NASA Flight Control.

As far as anyone can tell, more money is wagered on sports than anything else. It’s hard to know for certain, since there are few legal venues for it, and most bets are “underground,” as well as in the Cyber Grey Zone. We do know that $2.6 billion was bet legally through Nevada sports books in 2009 (from which the National Gaming Impact Study Commission (NGISC) estimated illegal sports wagering at some $380 billion that year). Bets on non-college teams (pro and semi-pro) make up two-thirds of all sports betting in Nevada. The Super Bowl is the big moneymaker for sports books, annually. Still, the $83 million wagered with sports books on the 2010 Super Bowl was just 1.5% of total Super Bowl wagers (because the bulk of the bets were illegal). Internet gambling on sports, as tracked by Christiansen Capital Advisors (CCA), totaled revenues of $4.29 billion in 2005; over twice the amount brought in just four years earlier. Legal and otherwise, the bets keep coming.

REALITY CHECK: BUDGETING & BEHAVIOR

Before you figure out your bankroll, you need to get a budget in order.

“Gambler, know thyself.” There’s no old saying like that, but there should be. The very first thing you need to do if you’re considering betting on sports is to understand (and follow) a budget. You do not have to risk financial ruin merely to have some safe and sane gambling fun. If you get serious, and work at it, you may even win. Before you wager the first dollar, however, you need to do a thorough and honest appraisal of your finances. If you are not using a budget now, and don’t know exactly what your income, expenses, assets, and liabilities are, you shouldn’t gamble a cent. You have to know exactly what your financial position is before you can determine how much you can afford to lose. That’s your “bankroll,” and it needs to be separate from your household funds.

You should never wager money that is not in your bankroll. You should never drink while betting, either; no matter how much you insist that alcohol has no effect on you. If you want to win, sports betting needs to be planned and executed in a sober, straightforward manner – unless you don’t mind losing, of course.

IT’S ALWAYS WISE TO SPECIALIZE

Yes, you will have to read and study, and even do math.

Even when you learn enough, and are disciplined and hardworking, the casinos and sports books still have an advantage. Your winnings are more than offset by the losses of the majority, which is an edge you never have as a player. But, there is facet of the casinos’ and sports books’ advantage that you can replicate: research. Professional gamblers that run betting operations spend their lives studying, calculating, maintaining databases, reading athletes’ injury reports, and crunching numbers. This is done across a vast number of team and individual sports, as they have to cover any action that any bettor (in the world now, because of the Internet) might bring their way.

Focus on just one sport’s specialization (your favorite makes sense), and build yourself an edge over the house, since you will develop more expertise as a specialist than a generalist could. Dedicate yourself to the effort, and constantly refine your niche betting expertise.

TYPES OF BETS & SETTING THE ODDS

There are lots of experts with advice, but you need to know how to discern good from bad.

If you do not know about sports betting, or the terminology for various wagers, then you need to add these topics to your study list – and a couple of years to your timeline. You really have no business betting on sports if you are just learning the difference between betting the moneyline and betting the spread, and between a “pick ‘em” and a “push.” Low-score sports like baseball and soccer use a moneyline, centered on $100 for ease of calculation. A moneyline is a wager where no point spread is involved. If the Dodgers are expected to beat the Cubs, L.A. might be -120 and Chicago +110, meaning you pay $120 to win $100 if you think L.A. will win, or pay $100 to win $110 if you think underdog Chicago will. Higher-scoring sports like basketball and football typically use a spread as the most popular bet; however the moneyline wager is still applicable. The margin of victory expected for the winner depends on the type of bet placed. If the Redskins are favored to beat the Falcons by a touchdown, the spread is Washington -7 and Atlanta +7. There are other kinds of bets and terms to learn, too – total points, middles, East Coast line, special Canadian hockey lines, and so forth.

This is not a group of serious bettors. It’s fine to make a party, but don’t expect to win.

A common myth says that odds-makers set the spread or the moneyline based solely on their expectation of the outcome. Wrong. While odds-makers do set the spread based on expected outcome, it is subsequently adjusted based on the expected outcome of the game and adjusted based on where the bettors are placing their money. The odds are created to keep bettors evenly split, which is why you will see movement in the spread from day to day.

If too much money is wagered on one side, the house will “balance the action.” For example, if an unusually large amount is bet on the favorite, odds-makers may add a half point to the spread to bring more action to the underdog.

SOMETIMES IT COMES DOWN TO TIMING

Time is pretty confusing as it is, but timing your sports bets right can be mind-bending.

Wagering on sports events often depends on timing, whether using sports books in person, betting online, or using other legal (or illegal) means. Some bettors bet on the release of the odds, especially when they believe they are more expert in the sport than the odds-maker(s). The downside to this is time, also – the time between the odds being placed and the game taking place, when injuries or weather could foul up your calculations. Another timing option is to watch the sports betting lines and track the moves against your own best analysis of the game. Remember that it’s the number of bettors, not their positions or judgments, which is in play and will affect the ongoing adjustments of the spread or moneyline. Like anything else, practice makes perfect.

There’s money to be made, if you’re good – and lucky.

Another new and exciting option in the world of betting is “live betting” where participants can actually place wagers in the middle of a game play. Various sports books now offer this option and it is the most interactive in the betting arena. Live betting allows users to place odds on everything involved when watching a game. For instance, when participants are watching a football game, they are able to wager on everything from; which score play will occur next, which team will be the first to score or even the team they believe will be the next to get a first down. A last option is waiting until the last moment to place a bet. This ensures there will be no movements on the game. There’s not any set rule for how the ups and downs of the moves will go (or end up), but at least they will not be a factor at the very end. Some professionals would advise consistency – play every bet the same way – while others recommend a broader approach.

BOTTOM LINE

As you learn more, and put your learning to the ultimate test with money, you will develop your own style as a natural result. You must understand that anything less than total commitment, will keep you forever a hobbyist. If you want to make money as a sports bettor, hit the books – first the library books, then the sports books.

The recent NFL lockout has caused many problems with the contract negotiation between Hasselbeck and the Seahawks. One of the biggest problems with the lockout is that the rules could completely change on all parties involved and could cause problems with the contract negotiations.

There have been rumors circulating the Seattle Seahawks have been on the lookout for younger quarterback to replace the aging Matt Hasselbeck. These rumors started as a result of Hasselbeck’s constant injuries last season and the fact that the Seahawks often favored backup quarterback Charlie Whitehurst for games of importance.

With the NFL draft on the horizon, many NFL experts believe that the Seattle Seahawks and team coach Pete Carroll could be on the lookout for a fresh quarterback for the team, leaving Hasselbeck looking for a new job.

Matt Hasselbeck has expressed his interest in wanting to stay for 10 season the Seattle Seahawks but with the recent lockout and the high stakes that he was asking for during preliminary contract negotiations could lead the NFL football team to look elsewhere for talent. If that were to happen Matt Hasselbeck has already been quoted as saying that he wouldn’t mind sharing the spotlight with a younger quarterback or even starting on another NFL team for the next season, that is if the NFL can sort out there problems and there is a next season.

Technorati Tags: Matt Hasselbeck, NFL football team, Seattle Seahawk

The two main defensive team players, cornerback Ron Bartell and linebacker James Laurinaitis have started to schedule and plan regular defensive workout routines for all players despite the lockout. Most NFL teams will usually engage in on the field workouts and training after the NFL draft and mini-camps, however all that is put on hold due to the labor dispute and the lockout.

The style of workout and training that the two players have planned will be very similar to what the players would receive if the lockout had not occurred. Both players are looking for a current location for the workouts and figure even without physically working out all defensive players can talk through defensive strategies and keep them fresh for the next season should it start on time.

Labor negotiations between the NFL team owners and player’s association broke down last month resulting in a lockout of the whole NFL. Players were barred from training facilities which could result in a drastic decrease in physical activity and training of all players involved. However, the St. Louis Rams are on top of the gaming staying with regular workouts and keeping in constant contact with other team members despite the lockout.

It looks like the St. Louis Rams will be ready to go physically and mentally should the NFL lockout stop anytime soon.

Technorati Tags: NFL draft, NFL lockout, NFL teams

This year at the NFL’s draft the collective bargaining agreement means that current NFL players cannot trade teams until one is in place. However, general managers and NFL team coaches have started to show a tremendous amount of interest in other teams potential draft picks.

Bill Belichick, the coach for the New England Patriots, mentioned in an interview that was conducted earlier in the month that there was an increased amount of interest in potential NFL draft picks.

While NFL teams traditionally make trades with each other for draft picks and people who join their team, it is believed this year there could be an increase in trades. With the NFL lockout in place no NFL team is doing anything. However, the 2011 NFL Draft is still in place and teams can still sign and trade draft picks.

NFL experts believe that since there is a lack of trading and action in the NFL due to the lockout that teams will be more likely to trade on draft day just so they feel as if they are accomplishing something for the proposed 2011 season. However, as most trades and NFL draft talk doesn’t really happen until the week leading up to the draft, NFL fans and experts will have to wait to see if this increased draft interest even happens or if it is all speculation.

Technorati Tags: 2011 NFL draft, Bill Belichick, NFL teams

This past Thursday, the New Jersey prosecutor announced that it would be reviewing all charges are brought against the wide receiver for the Tennessee Titans. The charges stem from an arrest that with me last week in Bayonne, New Jersey.

Kenny Britt, who was in his New Jersey hometown, was caught going over 70 miles an hour in a 55 mile lower speed zone. When police tried to stop the wide receiver he lead them on a police chase that had reported speeds of 75 miles an hour and up. Once caught the police booked him for alluding an officer, hindering apprehension and obstructing the function of the government.

Kenny Britt appeared before a New Jersey courtroom and entered no plea to the charges that were brought against him. Both him and his attorney have failed to comment on the incident.

The New Jersey prosecutor will review the charges and decide if there’s legal standing to pursue a court case against Kenny Britt. Should the prosecutor decide to go forward the wide receiver Tennessee Titans could face a maximum of five years per charge, or a minimum of no jail time and probation or suspension of license.

Kenny Britt has been known for his wild driving in the past. He has taken police on several high-speed chases and even been arrested for outstanding traffic tickets. This new charge is no surprise for the fast running wide receiver.

Technorati Tags: Kenny Britt, NFL player, Tennessee Titans

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Miami Dolphins Wide Receiver Brandon Marshall Stabbed by Wife

This past Friday Miami Dolphins receiver and his wife were involved in a domestic violence dispute which ended Brandon Marshall heading to the hospital and his wife arrested on assault charges.

Friday evening, Michi Nogami-Marshall and Brandon Marshall entered a verbal altercation that ended with Brandon Marshall ending up in the hospital. At the hospital Brandon Marshall told doctors that he had slipped and fallen on a broken vase. However, doctors did not believe this story and reported it to police.

Police entered the home of the family and noted that the evidence did not support the claim that he had slipped and fallen a broken vase. Instead, they found evidence that Michi Nogami-Marshall had actually stabbed him with a kitchen knife which resulted in the injuries.

Saturday Michi Nogami-Marshall was arrested and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and released on $7,500 bail. It is unclear at the time whether or not Brandon will press charges and whether or not Michi has an attorney to represent her.

This is not the first time that both members have been involved in a domestic dispute. In 2009, Brandon Marshall was arrested on smear battery charges from an altercation with his then fiancée Michi Nogami. The charges were dropped when both parties refused to testify in court and prosecutors were required to drop the case.

Brandon Marshall is expected to fully recover from this most recent incident and it will not effect any of his playing. Even though there is a current lockout the Miami Dolphins were able to release a statement wishing Brandon well during these tough family times.

Technorati Tags: Miami Dolphins, Michi Nogami-Marshall

The players Association on Wednesday expressed concern regarding the fact that all records from the NFL TV case were sealed. It is believed that the league may have tried to secure over $4 billion in TV contracts in which many of the players believe is being used to help find this lockout time. Currently, players are not entitled to a share of the money that the NFL gets from TV contracts or advertising.

The motion was submitted to the NFL and requires that the NFL show the records to the players association within the next seven days. This motion has been a long time coming as the players Association has asked repeatedly for the NFL to open its records up to the public. This Motion also comes off of a federal judge ruling with the players that the league the legally obtained over $4 billion in TV contracts some of which the players never saw a penny of the money that came in from the contracts.

When asked to comment the NFL league spokesperson answered that they will be responding to the court motion in due time and would not comment any further.

Technorati Tags: NFL league, NFL players, NFL TV

michael

While the NFL and the NFL players league continued to stay in a deadlock in regards to the labor dispute some NFL players taking the time to continue on the path of personal growth. One of the biggest names to continue with his off field growth is Michael Vick.

Michael Vickis known for his 23 month prison sentence for being found guilty in an extensive dogfighting ring. Despite the fact that he has made a huge on-field comeback after his prison sentence Michael Vick will be working with fellow volunteers to help with visits various area prisons.

During his visit to the prison Michael Vick will share his experiences and talk about what he learned and how he has grown since his prison stay. This past Saturday Michael Vick spoke to about 1000 soon to be released inmates and discussed with them how to prepare themselves for the outside world and what to expect. This program is put together by Abe Brown Ministries and is believed to help both the inmates and ex-inmates learn from each other and prepare for the outside world.

Michael Vick is quoted as stating that the experience was extremely humbling one and one that is helping him through his personal growth. This was the first time that Michael Vick visited the jail since his sentencing. However, this will not be the last time. Michael Vick plans on continuing his work with Abe Brown Ministries in the hopes that he can make a difference with other inmates.

Technorati Tags: Abe Brown Ministries, Michael Vick, NFL players