Sports Illustrated released their annual list of the 50 highest paid athletes in the nation for 2008 and not surprisingly, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen appear on the list (somewhat surprisingly, more than half of the list is composed of the trio's NBA counterparts). The Big Three earn a combined total of $56.1 million, which according to SI's research, is 74 percent of the 2007-08 payroll. The list, which takes annual salary and endorsement deals into account, has KG slotted at 8th overall with $31,000,000, Pierce at 34th (how appropriate, given that he dons the number 34 on his jersey) with $17,860,095 and Allen at 38th with $16,750,000. Guess KG wasn't kidding when he whispered "Got me some new money" to Pierce at his first press conference with the C's.

The other Boston sports figures on the list are Manny Ramirez (20th overall, $22,500,000 total earnings) and Tom Brady (32nd, $18,000,000).