According to the latest figures from the U.S. Census Bureau, it takes an average U.S. citizen a shade under four years to earn $100,000. Alex Rodriguez does it in six pitches.
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Associated Press
New York Yankees Alex Rodriquez watches his off the wall single in the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox during their baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Friday Aug. 21, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Punching the Clock
Here's how long it takes several star athletes to make approximately $100,000, based on the amount of money they've earned this season.
ATHLETE/SPORT TO EARN $100,000
Alex Rodriguez, MLB 6 pitches
Ben Roethlisberger, NFL* 4 snaps
Tiger Woods, golf 11 holes
LeBron James, NBA* 21 minutes
Roger Federer, tennis 28 games
Tony Stewart, Nascar 125 laps
Norm Duke, bowling* 2,360 frames
*last full season
Mr. Rodriguez has seen 1,593 pitches entering Monday's game, so after prorating his $33 million salary, he earns roughly $15,856 every time he sees a pitch. But the Yankees' third baseman doesn't necessarily do the least amount of work in sports to pull down $100,000.
Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers may have him beat. If you include his signing bonus, Mr. Roethlisberger brought in 100 grand for every 3.6 snaps he took in 2008 (many of which were hand-offs). But at least he helped his team win a Super Bowl. Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James played 3,054 minutes in the 2008-09 regular season and made $100,000 every time he passed the 21.2 mark.
Despite not winning a major this year, Tiger Woods has held his own, too. He's made roughly $100,000 for every 11.2 holes he's played. That's also good for $2,329 each time he's swung a club. Of the sports elite, Nascar's Tony Stewart may have to work the most to pay his bills—needing to navigate the oval 124.8 times to make $100,000. But he's still better off than those trying to bowl for a living. Norm Duke, the 2008-09 money leader of the Professional Bowlers Association, has earned much closer to the average U.S. citizen. He needed to roll 2,360 frames to make $100,000. That's less than two bucks for every pin he knocked down.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203706604574371013208743826.html
View Full Image
Associated Press
New York Yankees Alex Rodriquez watches his off the wall single in the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox during their baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Friday Aug. 21, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Punching the Clock
Here's how long it takes several star athletes to make approximately $100,000, based on the amount of money they've earned this season.
ATHLETE/SPORT TO EARN $100,000
Alex Rodriguez, MLB 6 pitches
Ben Roethlisberger, NFL* 4 snaps
Tiger Woods, golf 11 holes
LeBron James, NBA* 21 minutes
Roger Federer, tennis 28 games
Tony Stewart, Nascar 125 laps
Norm Duke, bowling* 2,360 frames
*last full season
Mr. Rodriguez has seen 1,593 pitches entering Monday's game, so after prorating his $33 million salary, he earns roughly $15,856 every time he sees a pitch. But the Yankees' third baseman doesn't necessarily do the least amount of work in sports to pull down $100,000.
Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers may have him beat. If you include his signing bonus, Mr. Roethlisberger brought in 100 grand for every 3.6 snaps he took in 2008 (many of which were hand-offs). But at least he helped his team win a Super Bowl. Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James played 3,054 minutes in the 2008-09 regular season and made $100,000 every time he passed the 21.2 mark.
Despite not winning a major this year, Tiger Woods has held his own, too. He's made roughly $100,000 for every 11.2 holes he's played. That's also good for $2,329 each time he's swung a club. Of the sports elite, Nascar's Tony Stewart may have to work the most to pay his bills—needing to navigate the oval 124.8 times to make $100,000. But he's still better off than those trying to bowl for a living. Norm Duke, the 2008-09 money leader of the Professional Bowlers Association, has earned much closer to the average U.S. citizen. He needed to roll 2,360 frames to make $100,000. That's less than two bucks for every pin he knocked down.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203706604574371013208743826.html
