Breaking Down The Money On Mayweather/Pacquiao Fight

All this coverage of the big Floyd Mayweather/Manny Pacquiao boxing event here in Las Vegas made me curious about the money that goes into and ultimately is generated by a sporting event like this.

According to Brian Warner, Mayweather is actually is not only large but in charge here. He's basically the executive producer. Pacquiao, for all intents and purposes, is a hired hand. A well-paid hired hand, but other than stepping in the ring (and ultimately losing) Pacquiao gets the smaller share of the pie here.

According to a report from the New York Times, Manny will receive his advance Monday, April 20, in the form of a $50 million check. Ok, if you want to get technical, the check that Manny actually receives will be around $35 million, because 30% will have already been taken out for the IRS.

Floyd will pay himself an upfront advance as well, but it will be much smaller than $50 million. In previous fights that Floyd has orchestrated, he has paid himself $20 million, roughly a month before the match, to cover some expenses and such. But, as you might imagine, the real money comes almost immediately following the match.

Let's say analysts are correct and the fight ends up generating gross revenues of $400 million. Roughly 30% will go towards a variety of expenses. That leaves around $280 million in profits. According to their 60/40 split arrangement, Manny will receive an additional $62 million on the backend to bring his total income up to $112 million. That's roughly what Manny has earned from his last five fights, combined. It will be roughly $78 million after taxes.

Floyd's 60% cut will be worth $168 million. That's roughly $117 million after taxes.

$112 million will bring Manny's career earnings total up to $375 million.

$168 million will bring Floyd's career earnings total up to $578 million.