If ever there were doubts that the public has a short memory with pro athletes and their troubles, consider this: Floyd Mayweather Jr., the boxer who got out of jail less than a year ago, is expected to be the highest-earning figure in sports this year.
Projected winnings: $90 million.
AP Photo Mayweather was released from a Las Vegas jail in August after serving two months in a misdemeanor domestic battery case. He earned $85 million in 2011.
Sports Illustrated has just released its 10th annual Fortunate 50 list of wealthy athletes in its May 20 edition. Also on the list are Kobe Bryant (fourth, $46,850,000), whose sexual assault case drew big news until it was settled out of court in 2005; Tiger Woods, whose cheating scandal drew worldwide interest (fifth, $40,839,027); and PED user Alex Rodriguez (ninth, $29,900,000).
AP Photo Woods, who was No. 1 from 2004-11, fell to No. 5 this year.
The figures include salary/winnings, as well as endorsements.
What this indicates is that the public either doesnt care, forgets, or turns a blind eye to athlete troubles.
Which also means athletes who dont get in trouble are probably doing so just for the sake of being good.
Scandal isnt enough to stop them from making piles of money.