Yes, the economy is tough. Yes, the recession has hit everyone. Ok, maybe not quite everyone!

         According to the latest Sports Illustrated annual "Fortunate 50" ranking, most pro athletes aren't feeling the same pains the rest of us are.  They make up their Top 50 based on salaries, winnings, endorsements and appearances.

         Number one, again, is Tiger Woods. The World's Number One ranked golfer is also the World's Number One Money earner. in sprots.  Now Tiger is down from his 2008 total of $127.9 million in total earnings but most of that is because of money he lost during his eight months off following his knee surgery.  He still has total income listed as $99.7 million based on $92-million in endorsements (he did lose Buick) and his winnings of $7.7 million.

        Phil Mickelson is still number two on the list at $53-million.

         Nine NBA players, a record, earned in excess of $30-million dollars in salary this past season. The top pro basketball  money man is the King in Cleveland, LeBron James. He is third on the list at $42.4 million --up $2-million from 2008.

         The New York Yankees, with major league baseball's biggest payroll, has two players in the top ten.  Alex Rodriquez is #4  with total income of $39-million. In 2008 A-Rod was tied for 6th at $35-million.  Derek Jeter is #9 at $28.5 million.

     It should be noted the average for the "SI Fortunate 50"  top money earning athletes did fall for the first time in six years. Down from an average of $25.1 million last year to "Only"  $23.6 milliion this year.

      For the complete list of sports top 50 money earners you can find it at SI.com/fortunate50