Money losers of 2008: Alex Rodriguez and Madonna, the new odd couple

This post is part of our feature on Money Losers of 2008. See all 20.

Some claim that Madonna has brainwashed Yankee's third baseman Alex Rodriguez, which I find hard to believe; from what I've seen of her in interviews, she barely has adequate brain matter for herself, much less extra to share. And A-Rod; you make a bazillion dollars a year, dude. If you're going to cheat on your wife and 10- week-old daughter (you dog), this is the best you can do? A woman 16 years your senior with some serious mileage on her, um, moneymaker?

The reported affair cost them each a fortune. A few years ago, Rodriguez received a $275 million contract with the Bronx Bombers, which has come out to around $6.7 million per each postseason hit so far. (Choke much?) A-Rod's jilted wife, Cynthia, sued for divorce, and the couple was officially kaput by September. Settlement terms were not disclosed. Meanwhile, the Yankees, still in need of a clutch hitter, are shopping for Manny Ramirez, who could eclipse A-Rod's baseball star (and his star endorsement value, already damaged by the bad press surrounding his divorce).

At the same time, Madonna was buying her way out of marriage to Guy Ritchie for an estimated $76-92 million. That's a lot of material, even for her.

A-Rod was rumored to share Madonna's interest in Kabbalah, rooted in Jewish mysticism. When it comes to mystery, though, not many are as perplexing as the pairing of these two. What do they share, except funny work uniforms and too much dough? Well, not so much dough, now.

Be sure to check out more Money Losers of 2008.