At yesterday’s final press conference for the Floyd Mayweather vs. Miguel Cotto clash, it was revealed that Money Mayweather was on the cover of ESPN the Magazine’s Money Issue. That’s appropriate, isn’t it? Mayweather, who fought just once in 2011 (and therefore earned less than Manny Pacquiao, who fought twice but earned less per bout), earned about $40 million for his efforts against Victor Ortiz.
His net worth is about $100 million, excluding the houses and the cars and the jewelry. He has been involved in the highest grossing fight of all-time in boxing, against Oscar De La Hoya, and continues to set Pay-Per-View records. Unlike other boxers, he puts up the money for the fights he’s involved with, and he ensures that he controls as much of the incoming revenue as a result, from concessions to merchandise.
Mayweather makes this much money, and right now he doesn’t even have a single endorsement deal.
(He says it’s because he won’t sell himself short, although his public persona and legal issues don’t help. Still, in the past he’s been on television commercials, and it’s odd that a company hasn’t thrown even cash in his direction to get him to promote something else. Manny Pacquiao has upped his endorsement efforts in the past deal, inking deals with companies ranging from Hennessy to HP. Imagine a US congressman and professional athlete openly endorsing a liquor company.)
Instead, for Mayweather it’s all about him and the Money Team. He runs Mayweather Promotions, which doesn’t do much actually fight promoting yet, but nonetheless is a property he could grow in the future, and in the meantime attract other fighters towards. He has a record label, and he’s partnered with 50 cent in a movie production company. There is Mayweather and Money Team merchandise available for sale from them directly.
—-> Check out this photo gallery of Money Mayweather’s Flashy Lifestyle
He’s a master promoter and marketer. Hate the guy? Good. You’ll buy his PPVs in order to hope to see him lose. Can’t believe what he just said? Good. You’re now following him on Twitter, searching for his YouTube videos and reading more about him in major media organizations on a daily basis.
And then, he also has his own charitable foundation, and regularly provides large sums of money to various charities and outreach organizations – although the sums still pale in comparison to how much he wagers on sporting events on a daily or weekly basis.
The bottom line is, who better to be on the cover of ESPN the Magazine’s Money Issue than Money Mayweather, head of the Money Team? Of course, if he didn’t continue to perform at the highest level inside the ropes, none of the rest would really matter. We’ll see how he does against Miguel Cotto on Saturday night.
