Fortunate 50 Highest Paid Athletes: 10 Athletes That Are Making Too Much Money

This week, SI.com released their annual list of "The Fortunate 50," a countdown of the highest-paid athletes in America.

For the most part, there are no surprises on the list. Tiger Woods is at the top of the list for the eighth straight year, as his golf salary (winnings, I guess you would say) and numerous endorsements paid him over $60 million. Also featured on the list are big names like LeBron James, Peyton Manning and Alex Rodriguez.

But then there are the guys on the list who make you scratch your head and say, "He makes that much money?!"

Ah yes, not all of "The Fortunate 50" are deserving of their pay. Generally speaking, these are the athletes who simply aren't living up to their contracts, though there are some on the list who are getting paid way too much in endorsements.

It is to these gents that this humble little slideshow is dedicated. I have assembled 10 of the worst and have ranked them by the absurdity of their net worth.

Enjoy.

10. Derek Jeter, Shortstop, New York Yankees

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NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 10: Derek Jeter #2 of the New York Yankees stands on third base in the bottom of the first inning against the Cleveland Indians on June 10, 2011 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/

Rank: 22

Salary: $13,000,000

Endorsements: $10,000,000

I'm a huge Boston Red Sox fan, and that means I freakin' hate the New York Yankees. That said, I am a huge fan of Derek Jeter. Most Sox fans will tell you that makes sense.

What doesn't make sense, however, is Jeter's $13 million salary. Of course, we knew this as soon as he re-upped with the Yankees this past offseason, as only a team as overly obsessed with loyalty like the Yankees would give him that kind of money.

For their buck, the Yankees are getting a shortstop who can barely move in the field and who is hitting .260 with two bombs and 20 RBI. And now Jeter is on the DL with a calf injury that could very well become chronic.

Cleveland shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, who is hitting .298 with 12 homers and 43 RBI, is making barely more than $2 million this season.

To his credit, Jeter still draws plenty of attention. That's why you don't hear me complaining about his endorsement earnings.

9. Elton Brand, Power Forward, Philadelphia 76ers

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MIAMI, FL - APRIL 16: Forward Elton Brand #42 of the Philadelphia 76ers shouts during a game against the Maim Heat at the American Airlines Arena in game one of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 2011 in Miami, Flor

Rank: 45

Salary: $15,959,099

Endorsements: $500,000

I'm a firm believer in the idea that you should never draft Duke basketball players. They never amount to anything.

Elton Brand is the exception. Or, at least, he was the exception. He had some pretty great seasons with the Bulls and Clippers, notching double-doubles on a regular basis.

Hoping to get in on the fun, the 76ers signed Brand to a five-year deal. He responded by suffering a season-ending shoulder surgery in his first year with the team and has proceeded to be pretty unspectacular ever since.

Meanwhile, he's still making more money than Chris Bosh and Paul Pierce.

8. Vince Carter, Shooting Guard, Phoenix Suns

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PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 30: Vince Carter #25 of the Phoenix Suns reacts during the NBA game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at US Airways Center on March 30, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Thunder defeated the Suns 116-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ackn

Rank: 27

Salary: $17,522,375

Endorsements: $3,000,000 

In his heyday, Vince Carter was arguably the best dunker the NBA has ever known. He was a pretty effective scorer, too, as you could generally count on him to produce 25 points on any given night.

Those days have long since past. Carter is in his mid-30s now, and he's clearly in the twilight of his career. All you have to do is look at this past season, in which he averaged a career-low 14.0 points per game in his time with the Magic and Suns.

If the Suns do want to keep Carter around, they will have to pick up his $18 million option. Their other option is to buy him out for $4 million.

You know you've made it in life when people have to pay you $4 million just to go away.

7. Michael Redd, Shooting Guard, Milwaukee Bucks

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LAS VEGAS - JULY 24: Michael Redd #8 of the USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team poses after a practice at Valley High School June 24, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Rank: 34

Salary: $18,300,000

Endorsements: $250,000

Michael Redd had an outstanding season in 2004-2005. He scored what was then a career-high 23.0 points per game while playing close to 40 minutes a night. For that, he got a six-year deal worth $91 million, which he chose to accept instead of taking less money to join LeBron James in Cleveland (feel free to laugh).

Things went well for a couple seasons, but disaster struck in January of 2009 when Redd tore his ACL and MCL in his left knee. He hasn't been the same player since.

His bank account, on the other hand, is still going strong.

6. Gilbert Arenas, Shooting Guard, Orlando Magic

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ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 28: Gilbert Arenas #1 of the Orlando Magic against the Atlanta Hawks during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on April 28, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressl

Rank: 36

Salary: $17,730,694

Endorsements: $250,000

Gilbert Arenas was one of the best scorers in the NBA from 2004-2007, averaging no less than 25 points per game as a member of the Washington Wizards.

Since then, Arenas' career has been highlighted by a knee injury, a Mexican standoff in the Wizards locker room, and a steady spot on the Magic bench after coming over in a trade.

Dwight Howard says he needs better teammates if he is to stay in Orlando. One assumes he means better teammates than the man we call "Agent Zero."

Psh. More like "Plain Zero."

5. Dale Earnhardt, Jr., NASCAR Driver

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LONG POND, PA - JUNE 12: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 National Guard/Amp Energy Chevrolet, stands on the grid during pre-race ceremonies for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 5-Hour Energy 500 at Pocono Raceway on June 12, 2011 in Long Pond, Pennsylv

Rank: 13

Salary: $4,572,930

Endorsements: $22,000,000

I'd be lying if I said I paid that much attention to NASCAR, but even I know that Dale Earnhardt, Jr. hasn't won a race in over three years.

Oh well. That apparently doesn't mean he can't be the highest-paid race car driver in America, as he ranks several spots ahead of Jeff Gordon.

Then again, that's what making $22 million in endorsements will do for you. And to think all he has to do is slap some bumper stickers on a jumpsuit and then smile for the cameras...

Good work if you can get it.

4. Barry Zito, Starting Pitcher, San Francisco Giants

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PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 16: Starting pitcher Barry Zito #75 of the San Francisco Giants sits in the dugout before the Major League Baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on April 16, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Peter

Rank: 33

Salary: $18,500,000

Endorsements: $100,000

You knew this one was coming, right?

Of course you did. The only two people who weren't laughing when Zito signed a seven-year, $126 million deal with the Giants back in 2006 were Zito himself and Giants GM Brian Sabean. Even Scott Boras, Zito's agent, must have been chuckling to himself.

As we all know, the Giants haven't gotten much in return from Zito. He has lost at least 13 games in every season he's been with the team, and he has a 4.48 ERA. He was so bad towards the end of 2010 that the Giants left him off their postseason roster.

That worked out okay.

By the way, Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Jonathan Sanchez make less than Zito. Combined.

3. Rashard Lewis, Small Forward, Washington Wizards

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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 28: Taj Gibson #22 of the Chicago Bulls guards Rashard Lewis #9 of the Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center in Washington on February 28, 2011 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by d

Rank: 29

Salary: $19,573,711

Endorsements: $750,000

Honestly, is there a worse contract in the NBA?

Probably not. For close to $20 million, Lewis is good for 11 points and about five rebounds a game these days, but he spends most of his time warming the Wizards' bench.

For the record, Kevin Durant will get you 28 points and seven rebounds every night. I only mention it because Durant's salary paid him makes close to $14 million less than Lewis' paid him.

Face, meet palm.

2. Vernon Wells, Outfielder, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

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ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 21: Vernon Wells #10 of the the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim holds the face mask of catcher Jason Veritek #33 the Boston Red Sox at the end of his bat during the seventh inning of the baseball game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Apri

Rank: 20

Salary: $23,000,000

Endorsements: $250,000

In 2006, Vernon Wells hit .303 with 32 home runs and 106 RBI and won a Gold Glove Award for the third year in a row. The Toronto Blue Jays awarded him with a seven-year contract worth $126 million.

Over the next four seasons, Wells hit .267 with 82 home runs and 312 RBI, an average of roughly 20 home runs and 78 RBI per season. He also stopped winning Gold Gloves, all while his salary climbed to over $15 million annually.

The Jays traded Wells to the Angels this past offseason. So far in 2011, he's hitting .194 with six home runs and 17 RBI. For that, he is getting over $20 million a year.

Kinda makes you want to say "Hell, I could do that!" doesn't it?

1. Matt Ryan, Quarterback, Atlanta Falcons

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons warms up against the Green Bay Packers during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Rank: 8

Salary: $32,250,000

Endorsements: $450,000

Matt Ryan's inclusion caught me by surprise. I mean, I know he's good, but I'm not so sure he's $32 million good.

In fact, I know he's not. He may have passed for over 3,700 yards and 28 touchdowns while leading the Falcons to an NFC-best 13-3 record, but that doesn't mean he needs to be paid like one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL.

To give you an idea what I mean by that, all you need to know is that Ryan raked in more cash than Tom Brady this past year. Brady fairly dominated the competition during the regular season on his way to his second MVP, yet his salary only paid him $20 million.

In fact, the only reason Brady is at all close to Ryan is because he made $10 million in endorsements. If Ryan made that much in endorsements, he would be fourth on the list, just behind LeBron James.

Not bad for a guy who wasn't even on the list last year.