1. Tiger Woods
2009 has seen Woods getting back into the swing of things after a spell in the rough (knee problems). So far he's won two tournaments and is probably enjoying the £1.8m ($3million) appearance fees he commands. During the lay-off Tiger got into golf course design, and has new clubs springing up in Dubai, North Carolina and Mexico. One source suggests that in his first decade as a pro (1996-2007), Woods has made £466million ($770million) - that's £27million ($45million) more than Nike makes through selling golf clobber every year. And it puts him clearly at the top of this list.
2. Kobe Bryant
Most of us would double dribble at the sight of Kobe's bank balance. The yearly salary from the LA Lakers comes in at some £13million ($21million), but is that enough? 'Jelly-bean' Bryant supplements his income through tie-ins with Nike, Upper Deck, Activision and VitaminWater. Is that enough? Despite a spell a spokesperson for Sony, the album Bryant recorded 10 years ago still hasn't hit the shelves. Last year he released a track called "K.O.B.E", featuring supermodel Tyra Banks. Sample lyrics: "Uh, what I live for? Basketball, beats and broads / From Italy to the US, yes, it's raw."
3. LeBron James
Earns over £8.5million ($14million) playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers and equals that amount in off-court income. This has included a contract with Microsoft, and current deals with Nike, Upper Deck, State Farm Insurance and VitaminWater. Perhaps the corporate suits dig the LeBron tattoos - including ones of a crowned lion, the word "wit-ness" and the dialing code of his hometown (Akron, Ohio). In 2007 it was reported that James was building a 35,000 square-foot house complete with casino, bowling alley, barber shop, and - oh, can it be? - recording studio.
4. Roger Federer
All those grand slam titles and tour wins sees Federer ahead of Pete Sampras's place as the tennis player with the highest amount of prize earnings. Roger is on £29million ($47million) and counting, whereas Pete ended up with only £26million ($43million). Federer also does well on the Quentin Tarrantino impersonating circuit, and away from tennis, is thought to receive over $30m per year. Was "attacked" by a Barcelona-flag wielding man in the French Open Final this year - which Roger won.
5. David Beckham
Beckham claims he wants to buy an MLS team when he retires - though he might want to swap it for a Serie A club after a year or two. Despite looking to end his LA Galaxy career two years prematurely, Beckham still receives some £6million ($10million) in sal-ary and matches that again in shirt sales. The Beckhams' total wealth is put well above £121million ($200million). Popular as he is in the Far East, the Chinese Football Asso-ciation have put a stop to young players imitating outlandish Beck's hairdos by insisting on short, tidy hair.
6. Phil Mickelson
Like Woods, Phil certainly can hit the "green" - to date he's won some £32million ($54million) in prize money. Those imaginative people in the profession call him 'Lefty' because - you guessed it - he has a left-hander's swing. What's is slightly more unusual is that Phil is right-handed in everything else he does. (His knickname may be Lefty but, hefty better describes Phil's income.) Mickelson is currently rejoining the tour, and came fifth in the US Open earlier this year. Off the course he is reported to earn over £20m a year.
7. Kimi Raikkonen
You have to wonder where Forbes will place Raikkonen next year. Officially, he's still a big hitter in Formula 1, but with a sluggish Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton for company near the bottom of the points' standings, that may well change. Kimi is still said to be the sport's highest paid driver (somewhere close to £25million) and can be proud of the fact that Iceland's post office printed a run of stamps with his face on. First class.
8. Ronaldinho
Oh how the mighty fall (see Kimi Raikkonen). Ronaldinho's best days look well behind him and it looks unlikely that he will ever be crowned FIFA Player of the Year again. However... deals with Nike, Pepsi and EA Sports still prove to be lucrative and it is esti-mated that his image was worth some £30million every year. If the tabloids are to be believed, Ron is a bit of a party animal and all-time ladies man - though he's best re-membered (and eulogised on Youtube) for a catalogue of outlandish goals and touch-line trickery.
9. Manny Pacquiao
Manny Kapow more like. Touted the world over as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, Manny has proved it over the past 12 months by beating Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton. Receiving well over £9million ($15million) from the Hoya fight, Manny has announced that he will retire in August 2009 - something for which he again beats Hatton to the punch. Pacquiao is fiercely political and will be running in the Philippine general election in 2010. Also known as Pac-Man.
10. Kevin Garnett
Known as "The Big Ticket", 6'11 Garnett plays as a forward for the Boston Celtics and receives the NBA's highest salary, some $25million (£15million). Garnett first celebrated Christmas at the age of 19, as his mother was a Jehovah's Witness. At 33 years of age, Garnett may now be looking to start a new career off the court. Is quoted as once
saying: "We have to do the impossible, but it is possible" - a move into sports punditry beckons. Garnett is unique for as NBA star, as he never went to university.