DAVID BECKHAM has got nothing on motorcycling's Valentino Rossi, according to an earnings survey by Forbes magazine. The article lists the top-earning sportsmen from June 2005 to June 2006, where top of the pile Tiger Woods trounced the opposition.
Rossi suffered in Honda's 'War on Rossi' during the 2006 season; a poor start to the season, mechanical problems and fast-from-nowhere Honda rivals all played a part in his downfall, breaking the Italian master's 5-year reign in MotoGP.
Despite not winning the championship, the Rossi-effect won't suffer for too long at the hands of Hayden, the 2006 champ.
"Jerry for sure you are 7,984th, now go sort my bike's front-end"
Rossi ranks on a par with Shaquille O'Neal and four places higher than football's most marketed player; David Beckham.
1. Tiger Woods (Golf) £45 million
2. Michael Schumacher (Motorsport) £29 million
3. Muhammad Ali (Boxing) £27 million
4. Phil Mickelson (Golf) £23 million
5. Michael Jordan (Basketball) £16 million
6. Kobe Bryant (Basketball) £15.5 million
7. Shaquille O'Neal (Basketball) £15 million
8. Valentino Rossi (Motorcycling) £15 million
9. Tom Brady (American football) £14.5 million
10. Alex Rodriguez (Baseball) £14.5 million
11. Carson Palmer (American football) £14 million
12. David Beckham (Football) £13.5 million
