England soccer star David Beckham will leave Real Madrid at the end of the Spanish season and sign a five-year deal for US side Los Angeles Galaxy worth $1 million a week, the biggest in world sport.
The 31-year-old former England captain will earn a total $250 million over the five years financed heavily by endorsements and including bonuses based on performance and the future success of the MLS.
Top earners in global sport from June 2005 to June 2006, according to Forbes magazine:
| 1. | Tiger Woods | Golf | $90 million |
| 2. | Michael Schumacher | Motor racing | $58 million |
| 3. | Muhammad Ali | Boxing | $55 million |
| 4. | Phil Mickelson | Golf | $47 million |
| 5. | Michael Jordan | Basketball | $32 million |
| 6. | Kobe Bryant | Basketball | $31 million |
| 7. | Shaquille O'Neal | Basketball | $30 million |
| 8. | Valentino Rossi | Motorcycling | $30 million |
| 9. | Tom Brady | American football | $29 million |
| 10. | Alex Rodriguez | Baseball | $29 million |
| 11. | Carson Palmer | American football | $28 million |
| 12. | David Beckham | Soccer | $27 million |