Sport is one of the biggest businesses in the world. With television rights and sponsorships, top-level athletes earn millions of dollars. Several tournaments offer huge amounts in prize money along with added incentives such as pride and bragging rights.These are the top 10 sporting events with the highest payouts. (Yes, football dominates the field, but a few sports might surprise you.)
#1 UEFA Champions league
Real Madrid received $78.3 million for completing la decima andwinning the Champions League in 2013/14. This is the highest prize money received by a team at a sporting event. Their performance definitely deserved every single penny.
#2 Light middleweight championship superfight
Boxing takes up the number two spot in the list. One man has glorified the sport in recent days: FloydMayweather. After his 2013 win overSal "Canelo" lvarez, Mayweather received a guaranteed $41.5 million. Following DVD and pay per view sales, Mayweathers total revenue from the fight is reported to be over $80 million.
#3 FIFA World Cup 2014
World champions Germany received $35 million in prize money after Mario Gotze scored the dramatic winner in extra-time. The Germans seemeddestined to win the world cup after the 7-1 mauling over the host nation. Winning the hearts of millions around the world will serve as the cherry on top to the huge cheque they received.
#4 UEFA Euro 2012
Euro 2012 saw Spains continued dominance over other teams from Europe. Financially speaking, the competition offers almost the same incentivesas compared to the world cup. Spain raked in $33 million after they comprehensively beat Italy in the final.
#5 UEFA Europa League
Sevillas impressive run received many plaudits around the football community. Their penalty shootout victory over Benfica fetched$18.4 million as prize money.
#6 Super Bowl XLVII
Super Bowl XLVII game was played between the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers. The Ravens defeated the 49ers by the score of 3431. The Ravens raked in over $15 million in prize money.
#7 World Series of Baseball
The Boston Red Sox received just under $15 million for their world seriesvictory over St. Louis Cardinals in six games. Each player on the Red Soxs roster received $307,322.
#8 World Series of Poker - Main Event
The World Series of Poker main event is the biggest poker event. Players can buy-in for $10000 and the 2014 winner will receive a guaranteed $10 million. 2013 winner Ryan Riess received $8.3 million for beating 6351 other participants.
#9 FedEx Cup
Golf ranks joint 8thin the list. An expensive sport to play, the dividends are healthy at the top level. The FedEx Cup winner receives $10 million in prize money.The top 125 players qualify initially and then the field is reduced to 30 golfers. Henrik Stenson accumulated the most pointsto win the FedEx Cup last year.
#10 Dubai World Cup Night
The winner of $10 million from the Dubai World Cup Night is not a person, it is a horse! Although the money probably goes to the owner in the end, credit must not be taken away from the handsome four-legged animal.Dubai World Cup Night is a series of eight thoroughbred horse races and one Purebred Arabian race held annually at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai.African Story, owned by Godolphin Racing won the event in 2014.
#11 Closely missing out on top 10
US Open 2014- The 2014 US Open winners (mens and womens) will receive $3 million as prize money.
Cricket World Cup 2011- India received $4 million for winning the 2011 cricket world cup.
FA Cup 2013/14- Arsenal FC received $5.6 million for winning their first trophy in 10 years!
