Photos: Top Highest-Paid Benchwarmers in Sports [PHOTOS]
By Floyd Allen | Jun 17, 2011 01:34 AM EDT
Though the combined earnings of some Hollywood stars and big artists in the music industry constitute the big chunk of the $690 million earnings made by celebrities over the past twelve months, a few athletes have also been named among the highest paid young celebrities to have raked in millions from May 2010 to May 2011.
Some of these sports personalities include tennis ace Roger Federer and NBA star LeBron James. Federer reportedly raked in an estimated $47 million while LeBron brought home a staggering $48 million, which is not bad for a 24-year-old basketball player.
Dorothy Pomerantz of Forbes Magazine said that LeBron and Federer are just among the professional athletes who are collecting millions in their own fields.
But not all best-paid athletes are actually doing their share in the courts as some are named by Forbes as among the ‘top best-paid benchwarmers’ in sports, argued Tom Van Riper of Forbes.
Scroll down to see the top five sports personalities with a big paycheck while warming themselves on the bench as their teammate are battling themselves to win for the team.
The free-spending Washington Redskins obliged, inking Haynesworth to a seven-year, $100 million contract before the 2009 season, a deal that included a $21 million bonus for 2010. But that 2010 season, his second in Washington, is when Haynesworth’s problems really began. He skipped minicamp, clashed with coach Mike Shanahan, who dogged him for being out of shape, and ultimately played in just eight games (starting none), registering just 2.5 quarterback sacks before a suspension in early December ended his season altogether. Tennessee Titans' Albert Haynesworth holds a spoon as he gets ready to eat fruit cobbler after a Thanksgiving Day NFL football game in Detroit, Michigan in this November 27, 2008 file photo. Washington Redskins football player Haynesworth was indicted by a grand jury on April 26, 2011 for allegedly fondling a server at a swanky hotel bar in the U.S. capital, U.S. prosecutors said.
Source: REUTERS/Rebecca Cook Date:06/17/2011
NBA Salary: $18.3 million Wearing down as he gets older. Michael Redd, a big scorer in the middle of the decade, hasn't played more than 33 games since 2007-'08. Limited to 10 games this year at 13.4 minutes per game. Michael Redd of the U.S. blows a bubble during their friendly basketball game against Russia as part of their training for the Beijing Olympics in Shanghai August 3, 2008.
Source: REUTERS/Aly Song Date:06/17/2011
Peja Stojakovic, Dallas Mavericks, NBA Salary: $15 million Veteran sharpshooter averaged 18.7 minutes and 8.5 points in 33 games with three teams this year. Stojakovic hasn't topped 70 games since 2007-'08. But hey, his team is in the finals. Sacramento Kings starters (L to R) Doug Christie, Vlade Divac, Chris Webber, Mike Bibby and Peja Stojakovic sit on the team bench in the fourth quarter of their 94-77 loss to the New Jersey Nets in East Rutherford, New Jersey, March 16, 2004.
Source: REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine Date:06/17/2011
Milton Bradley, Seattle Mariners, MLB Salary: $13 million Talented but short-tempered outfielder has long been plagued by anger-management issues. Bradley was just released by Seattle on May 16 after playing in 28 games. His only 500-plus at-bat season came in 2004, with the Dodgers. Oakland Athletics' Milton Bradley watches from the dugout as the Detroit Tigers celebrate their win during the ninth inning of Game 2 of their ALCS playoff baseball game in Oakland, California October 11, 2006.
Source: REUTERS/Robert Galbraith Date:06/17/2011
Travis Hafner, Cleveland Indians, MLB Salary: $13 million A good hitter who's perpetually hurt. Hafner hasn't topped 400 at-bats since 2007. He's played in just 32 of 59 games this season. Cleveland Indians' Travis Hafner leans on a bat in the dugout while his team plays the Boston Red Sox during the fifth inning in Game 6 of Major League Baseball's ALCS playoff series in Boston, October 20, 2007.
Source: REUTERS/Brian Snyder Date:06/17/2011
Scott Kazmir, Los Angeles Angels, MLB Salary: $15 million We cut slack for sudden, recent injuries, but Kazmir has been a puzzle. After showing so much promise in Tampa Bay, he struggled to a 9-15 record and 5.94 ERA with the Angels in 2010. Most think Kazmir's inactivity this year (one game, pulled in the second inning) has as much to do with his flawed mechanics as it does a stiff back. Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Scott Kazmir looks on from the dugout as his team defeats the Chicago White Sox during Game one of their MLB American League Divisional Series baseball playoffs in St. Petersburg October 2, 2008. Kazmir is scheduled to start Game two for the Rays on October 3.
Source: REUTERS/Hans Deryk Date:06/17/2011
