Future Fortunates

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
May 31, 2007

Future Fortunates

Eli Manning, New York Giants

Tiger Woods is the top-earning American athlete according to SI's fourth annual rankings of the top 50, but he can't stay king forever. Here's a rundown of who SI thinks will one day make their way to the ranks of the top 50 earners.<br><br>No, he's not Peyton but he's only 26 and plays in the biggest media market in the nation. Do the Giants believe in him? The team exercised a buy-back of Manning's contract to keep him from becoming a free agent at the end of 2007. That made Manning $8 million richer. His salary increases to $8.45 million in 2008 and $8.95 million in 2009.

Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets

Part of the famed draft class of 2003 with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, Anthony agreed to a contract extension with the Nuggets last July, a deal two years longer than the ones James and Wade signed

Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints

Everyone wants a piece of the NFL's most dynamic player not named LT. Bush, who signed a six-year, $62 million contract last year, has endorsements with Subway, EA Sports, Hummer and SportsLine.com.

LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers

He's one Super Bowl title away from being a Madison Avenue daring. Will it come this year?

Rafael Nadal, ATP Tour

Nadal is already the sport's King of Clay. If he wins Wimbledon or the U.S. Open, watch out. Expect more endorsement deals as his English improves.

Daisuke Matsuzaka, Boston Red Sox

In Japan, he hawks Asahi Super Dry beer and Nike, among other products. If Dice-K wins big in America, the sky's the limit. He signed a $52 million, six-year contract that could raise his base salary to as much as $12 million by 2011.

Danica Patrick, Indy Racing League

Still hasn't won a race but she's a big winner at the box office (Motorola signed her to a reported $25 million deal over three years and she also has deals with XM Satellite Radio, GoDaddy.com, Meijer, Air Tran and Argent Mortgage.) Patrick inked a deal last year with Andretti Green Racing, pairing her with another young star (Marco Andretti) as the face of the IRL.

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

Youth, personality and moxie on his side. But stay off the bike, Ben.

Lewis Hamilton, Formula One

As the first black Formula One driver, his impact could be Tiger-esque. No rookie has burst upon the Formula One scene with such force. Hamilton, 21, has been on the podium in every race and is tied with teammate Fernando Alonso for first in the standings.

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins

Gretzky 2.0? That's what the NHL is betting on. The league's leading scorer - he's 19 -- has A-list representation at the Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

David Wright, New York Mets

His good looks and aw-shucks demeanor have many predicting Wright can be Derek Jeter-esque as a product hawker. He signed a six-year, $55 million contract extension with the Mets last August.

Jozy Altidore, New York Red Bulls

Is the 17-year-old the next great American soccer star? It's Altidore -- and not Freddy Adu -- who appears on commercials on Major League Soccer broadcasts. And this teen boasts such sick talent and poise, it's not a stretch to think a huge future awaits him -- if not in MLS, then perhaps in one of the big European leagues.

Greg Oden, NBA draft prospect

Assuming he goes No. 1 to Portland - about the same odds as the sun coming up tomorrow - Oden can expect a four-year deal worth around $22 million. While he may not initially draw the endorsements of Shaq or LeBron, he is repped by Mike Conley Sr., who just signed with BDA Sports Management, the second-largest agency working with NBA players.