He’s So Money

NEW YORK — Michael Jordan is the richest athlete in the world, regaining the top spot in the Forbes list for the fifth time in six years and displacing Mike Tyson at No. 1.

Jordan will earn $78.3 million in 1997, the magazine estimated, getting $31.3 million from the Chicago Bulls and $47 million from endorsements and other income.

In announcing its Super 40 list, Forbes put heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield second at $54.3 million. He earned $53 million in prize money and $1.3 million in endorsements.

Boxer Oscar De La Hoya was third with $38 million, followed by Formula One driver Michael Schumacher ($35 million), Tyson ($27 million) and Tiger Woods ($26.1 million).

Woods’ endorsement and other income was $24 million, second to Jordan. NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt is third in that category ($15.5 million) followed by Laker center Shaquille O’Neal ($12.5 million).

On the overall list, O’Neal is seventh ($24.5 million), followed by Earnhardt ($19.1 million), Colorado Avalanche center Joe Sakic ($17.9 million) and Detroit Piston forward Grant Hill ($17 million).

Eleven NBA players are in the top 40, up from nine last year. There are seven baseball players (up from five), seven boxers, four golfers, three NHL players, three tennis players, three race car drivers, and two NFL players.

Baltimore’s Cal Ripken Jr. topped baseball players, in 17th place at $13.2 million, ahead of Seattle’s Ken Griffey Jr., 19th at $13 million. The Dodgers’ Mike Piazza was 29th at $10.6 million.

Detroit’s Barry Sanders is the top-earning NFL player, in 33rd place at $10.2 million. The only other football player on the list is Green Bay’s Brett Favre (40th at $9.2 million).

Arnold Palmer, at 68 the oldest athlete on the list, was 12th at $16.1 million--but with only $100,000 in golf earnings. Pete Sampras was the top tennis player, 15th at $14.5 million.

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FORBES TOP 10

(Amounts in Millions)

1. Michael Jordan: $78.3

2. Evander Holyfield: $54.3

3. Oscar De La Hoya: $38

4. Michael Schumacher: $35

5. Mike Tyson: $27

6. Tiger Woods: $26

7. Shaquille O’Neal: $24.5

8. Dale Earnhardt: $19.1

9. Joe Sakic: $17.9

10. Grant Hill: $17