Here is the list of the highest-earning athletes in the year 1990. Apart from their prize winnings, their total earnings may also include endorsement and appearance fees, bonuses, and other sources of income. The list looks interesting because it features four boxers (including the top 3 spots) as well as a three-way tie for the #8 ranking.
No doubt some of these well to-do athletes enjoyed spending their millions (and billions?) on huge homes, exotic cars and a few trips to casinos like www.novibet.co.uk. Can you blame them? They worked hard and they made the money. Unfortunately some also ended up losing most of it in the end.
The colorful and controversial boxer suffered his first defeat when a then-little-known opponent “Buster” Douglas beat him for the heavyweight title in a historic match in Tokyo, Japan in February 1990. That is now considered as being one of the greatest upsets in sports history.
Despite the monumental loss, Tyson still commands this list of the top-earning sportsmen in 1990, netting a total of $28.6 million.
James “Buster” Douglas will be forever remembered as the man who beat previously-undefeated Mike Tyson in a stunning fashion. Tyson lost the heavyweight title to the underdog Douglas via a 42-1 knockout, in their historic Tokyo match on February 10, 1990.
Douglas came in below Tyson on this top-earning athletes list with $26 million.
In early 1990, the legendary boxer gave up his WBC Super Middleweight Championship because he was still doubtful whether he would be able to fight again. But he still decided to give his career one last push; he was then in the twilight of his illustrious boxing career. He also went through a nasty divorce with his ex-wife during the same year. Despite those issues, Leonard still managed to amass $13 million total earnings.
The late Brazilian race car driver Ayrton Senna won his second of his three Formula One championships in 1990. He made a total $10 million for the entire year.
A rice car driver makes it to the list. Frenchman Alain Prost was actually one of Ayrton Senna’s fiercest and most bitter rivals on the racetrack. The four-time Formula One champion earned a total of $9 million, making him one of the highest-paid athletes in 1990.
One of the greatest pro golfers of all time, Jack Nicklaus earned a total of $8.6 million in 1990.
Another golfer in this list, Australian Greg Norman earned a total earnings of $8.5 million for 1990.
Basketball legend Michael Jordan and his team the Chicago Bulls were on the rise during those days in the NBA. He earned a total of $8.1 million.
Another golfer Arnold Palmer makes it to the list with $8.1 million, tying with Michael Jordan and boxer Evander Holyfield at #8.
1990 was Evander Holyfield’s stellar year, where he won WBA, WBC, and IBF titles. The controversial boxer also became one of the top earners that same year, taking in $8.1 million.