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Professional athletes spend years working to earn their wealth, a combination of prize money, contracts, lucrative deals, and strategic investments. Popular athletes from popular sports and leagues end up earning millions simply via their game, the deals, and endorsements only an added bonus. That being said, every sport has a few athletes who end up making it to the highest-paid list, earning nearly a billion at times.

In golf, we have Tiger Woods, who has earned hundreds of millions as an active PGA Tour player. For football, there is Cristiano Ronaldo, who has earned $1 billion as an active football player. Here’s a look at both the athletes and their respective net worth as of now.

Is Tiger Woods richer than Cristiano Ronaldo?

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According to Celebrity Net Worth, Ronaldo’s net worth stands at $500 million. Tiger Woods, on the other hand, is reportedly worth an even more impressive $800 million.

Ronaldo is currently ranked third on The World’s Highest-Paid Athletes 2021 list by Forbes. He is the first active team-sport player who has earned $1 billion in his career. According to reports, he makes more than $60 million for his base salary. Of course, his endorsement deals with various companies earn him $40 million every year. This does not include his self-branded CR7 items, ranging from accessories to hotels. He also has several properties, which include his $9.7 million home located in his hometown, Madeira, his New York apartment, and his seven-floored mansion.

Woods has earned his name in golf as the greatest of all time. His fortune is a result of countless wins and endorsements. He is also the highest-paid golfer of all time, earning $1.5 billion in his career. Woods has been playing in the PGA Tour for 25 years now and has dealt with brands like Nike and Titleist. Reports add that he earned $60 million from brands like Bridgestone, Hero Motorcorp, Monster Energy, Rolex, and TaylorMade.

The 15-time major winner has also designed the golf course Payne’s Valley, located in Missouri. He owns his $25 million yacht Privacy, his $54 million Gulfstream G550 private jet, and his mansion in Jupiter, worth around $54 million.

Nike loyalty and lifetime deals

Both athletes have earned a sizable amount of wealth from their respective Nike deals. Ronaldo has a $1 billion deal with Nike, which he signed in 2016. It also earned him a $100 million signing bonus.

Woods’ connection with Nike runs a little deeper. They initially signed him in 1996 – a five-year contract worth $49 million. Now, it is a larger deal, his relationship with Nike surviving his 2009-2010 controversy. According to a 2019 report, he is worth $22,540,000 to the brand.

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READ MORE: LeBron James vs Cristiano Ronaldo Net Worth Comparison: Who Is the Richer Athlete?

Can Cristiano Ronaldo’s net worth match Tiger Woods’?

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Seeing as Ronaldo is still active, he could eventually match Woods’ net worth. Recently back at Manchester United, one can only hope for future investments and deals. Woods, on the other hand, is currently recovering from his car crash in February.

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READ MORE: Tiger Woods Day: Looking Back at His First Press Conference as a Professional Golfer 25 Years Ago