For those at the upper echelons of professional sport, access to the finer things in life has become commonplace. All the hours of hard work must feel worth it, as the world's top athletes enjoy the fanciest restaurants, fastest cars, most enviable vacations, and of course, their pick of jaw-dropping mansions. Whether it's an off-season getaway or their permanent residence, these sporting icons certainly know how to relax in style. Home gyms, cinemas, even golf courses. These luxury abodes have it all. Here are some of the most lavish homes of pro athletes.
1. Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods boasts one of the largest pieces of residential land on this list. The golf legend's mansion in Jupiter, Florida measures a mammoth 9,000 square foot, plus 12-acres of grounds that incorporate - you guessed it - a golf course, as well as a beautiful body of water. Tiger's Jupiter home isn't his only residence, of course, but this Florida pad is without question his most impressive.
2. Michael Phelps
An Olympic icon who is literally swimming in money thanks to endorsements and sponsorships earned from his heroic antics in the pool, Michael Phelps enjoys homelife at an absolutely stunning residence in Paradise Valley, Arizona. His mansion certainly lives up to the name of its location, with stunning mountain views and citrus fruit trees growing in the backyard.
3. Michael Jordan
It shouldn't be any surprise that the greatest basketball player of all time - and the world's richest athlete - would have a home fit for a king. Michael Jordan's career earnings were relatively modest compared to modern standards, but Chicago's number 23 has made a fortune thanks to his Nike-affiliated brand, Jordan. A golf aficionado, MJ's 56,000 square foot residence boasts a huge putting green in the backyard. And if the NBA legend wants to work on his long game? The 7 acres of land surrounding the mansion will surely suffice.
4. Derek Jeter
New York Yankees legend Derek Jeter is widely considered one of the most incredible baseball players of all time. A 5-time World Series champion, Jeter was inducted into the Hall of Fame this year and his Tampa, Florida waterfront mansion fits the bill. Covering over 30,000 square feet, one could easily confuse Jeter's estate for a resort - although snapping photos is not appreciated. The MLB great had to install a huge gate at the front of his property to prevent curious onlookers from stealing a pic.
5. Floyd Mayweather
Floyd 'Money' Mayweather's love of opulence is almost as well-documented as his undefeated boxing record. One of the greatest fighters of all time, Michigan-born Mayweather spends most of his time in a $26 million mansion in Beverly Hills, California. As lavish as you'd expect, this 10-bedroom palatial residence features a paneled library, wine cellar, and formal dining room. The guesthouse boasts a cinema that can host 20 people, and in the substantial grounds, you'll stumble upon a huge swimming pool and a motor court. A knockout property.