Tiger Woods as Himself: $100 Million
While Tiger hasn’t been able to shy away from the controversy over the years, you may be surprised to hear that his endorsement opportunities haven’t dried up as a result of the personal scandals he has been involved in. Nike signed him for a $100 million deal even after his car accident scandal, with many thinking this was a mistake that would backfire immensely. On the contrary, sales figures climbed, and everyone involved was vindicated. If that doesn’t showcase his star power, nothing will. Sometimes risks pay off, and at other times they really don’t. This was one of those times where taking a $100 million gamble was the right call, solidifying a long standing relationship between Tiger and the Nike brand.
Tiger Woods
David Beckham as Himself: $160 Million
The highest-paid celebrity endorser of all time is David Beckham, who earned an astronomical $160 million for a deal he did with sports brand Adidas. Known for his athleticism, good look and charm, the former footballer is one of the most recognizable people in the entire world, and as a result of this Adidas continues to take a gamble on him as someone who can carry them towards their financial goals. With a focus on their apparel division, the commercials he featured in saw an almost instantaneous spike in sales as soon as they hit the airwaves. On a more personal note, he apparently gets access to all the Adidas gear his heart desires. Now that’s a sweet deal if we’ve ever seen one!
David Beckham
